Actor Ray Liotta reportedly passed away in his sleep while shooting a new film, “Dangerous Waters,” while in the Dominican Republic. One of his best-known roles was ‘Goodfellas’ which came out in the 90s. Liotta’s publicist, Jennifer Allen, said that Liotta “is survived by his daughter, Karsen, and his fiancée, Jacy Nittolo.”
“Liotta was on a big resurgence,” Deadline reported. “Recent turns included The Many Saints of Newark, Marriage Story and No Sudden Move. He finished the Elizabeth Banks-directed Cocaine Bear and was due to star in the Working Title film The Substance opposite Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley.”
“It’s weird how this business works, because I’ve definitely had a career that’s up and down,” he said. “For some reason, I’ve been busier this year than I have in all the years that I’ve been doing this. And I still feel I’m not there yet. I just think there’s a lot more.”
“The ruggedly handsome, blue eyed Liotta was a perfect Henry Hill, narrating a tale of his growth into an organized crime gang, the one that pulled off the famous Lufthansa heist at John F. Kennery International Airport in 1978, making off with more than $5 million in cash and jewels stored in the German airline’s air cargo building,” Deadline added. “The film, which Nicholas Pileggi adapted with Scorsese from his book, was nominated for six Oscars, with Pesci the lone win.”
Lorraine Bracco, who played Karen Hill in “Goodfellas,” responded to the news on Twitter, saying that the best part about making the movie was Liotta.
“I am utterly shattered to hear this terrible news about my Ray,” she wrote. “I can be anywhere in the world & people will come up & tell me their favorite movie is Goodfellas. Then they always ask what was the best part of making that movie. My response has always been the same…Ray Liotta.”
I am utterly shattered to hear this terrible news about my Ray.
I can be anywhere in the world & people will come up & tell me their favorite movie is Goodfellas. Then they always ask what was the best part of making that movie. My response has always been the same…Ray Liotta. pic.twitter.com/3gNjJFTAne— Lorraine Bracco (@Lorraine_Bracco) May 26, 2022
I remember Liotta playing in “Something Wild” but even after all these years, I think my favorite film he played in was “Field Of Dreams” where an Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella gets inspired by a voice he can’t ignore to pursue a dream he can hardly believe. Supported by his wife, Ray begins the quest by turning his ordinary cornfield into a baseball field where the magic begins.
It came out in the late 80s, but just in case someone hasn’t seen it I won’t spoil the plot. It’s a classic and a great movie if you get the chance.
