+28
View gallery
Liotta (pictured with Frankie Avalon in February) rocketed to stardom and became a household name across the globe for Goodfellas, in which he played a crook called Henry Hill who got in with the Italian-American mafia
Posted on 05/26/2022 9:24:05 AM PDT by NohSpinZone
Liotta (pictured with Frankie Avalon in February) rocketed to stardom and became a household name across the globe for Goodfellas, in which he played a crook called Henry Hill who got in with the Italian-American mafia
Jeez. He was also really good playing Sinatra in that movie about the rat pack
The actor, who starred in more than 80 films, revealed more about his upbringing in an interview with Esquire in 2016.
He said: ‘I’m adopted so I don’t really know what I am. Who I consider my mother and father are Italian and Scottish.
‘I did find my birth mother and she said she was a mix of something, and when I asked about what my Dad was she wouldn’t even talk about it. It was like it never even happened.’
He added: ‘If I hadn’t have become an actor I’d have gone into construction. I always thought I would be doing construction. Those were jobs I had during the summer. My Dad also had a chain of automotive stores.
‘I didn’t know until after I graduated college that he wanted me to take over the business. When he saw that I was interested in something else, he said ‘well, I’m sick of doing this’ and moved in politics.
‘But I never knew that he wanted me to take over. It was in his mind, but I hated it. To this day I hate the smell of rubber.’
Tributes flooded in for the beloved star on Friday afternoon, with Devon Sawa saying: ‘I try not to do the RIPs but Ray Liotta was truly one of my favorites to watch.
‘He just has this magnetic draw to his performances, which is part of the reason Goddfellas remains tied with Aliens as my favorite film(s) ever made. This one stung more than usual.’
‘I am utterly shattered’: Ray Liotta’s devastated Goodfellas...
Goodfellas costar Lorraine Bracco, who was his wife in the movie, said: ‘His Goodfellas costar Lorraine Bracco, who played his wife in the hit 1990 movie, said: ‘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.’
Josh Brolin said: ‘My buddy. My friend. How so soon? Why? I’ll miss you. I will think about seeing you at Gold’s often, talking about what to do next, how to find something together.
‘I always looked up to you — the work was always so good, but the man you were always stood out among the rest of them. Yes, I will miss you, pal. Until we meet again, wherever they say that is.’
Helena Christensen wrote: ‘Oh man what an immense actor he was ♥️.’ Joe Pantoliano said: ‘WHAT!!!! No! Omg! I was watering the lawn this morning and I was thinking about Ray he popped into my head. Oh No! RIP RAY RAY…’
Viola Davis said: ‘RIP Ray Liotta. Loved your work.’ Jamie Lee Curtis posted: ‘His work as an actor showed his complexity as a human being. A gentle man. So sad to hear.’
Rosanna Arquette wrote: ‘I’m really sad to hear that Ray Liotta has passed away. He was an friend back in the day and it’s very sad. We had a lot of laughs Rest In Peace My friend.’
Jeffrey Wright said: ‘Ray Liotta. Man. Just met dude for the first time last year. GREAT actor. Nice to have had a chance to say that to him. RIP.’
Mangold put: ‘Shocked and saddened to hear of Ray Liotta’s passing. Beyond the tough guy exterior and the tightly wound emotions of his signature characters, he was a sweet, playful and passionate collaborator and brilliant actor.’
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.