RAY LIOTTA 1954–2022…DEAD.
In case we need a reminder of one sort or another, something else always rears its ugly head.
Ray Liotta, 67, has died.
How is that possible?
A kid.
Henry Hill.
Shoeless Joe Jackson.
Matt Wozniak…Woz.
Tommy Vercetti in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
…
By his own admission, he’d never been busier in his well-established career.
Apparently, he died in his sleep in the Dominican Republic, where he was on location, filming the now chillingly-entitled, “Dangerous Waters.”
He had several other projects in the works, including two more films.
A legendary character actor–typecast perhaps, but skilled and diverse–Liotta was known most for his career-defining performance in the crime classic, “Goodfellas.”
Co-star Robert DeNiro and director Martin Scorcese were shattered.
Scorcese was “absolutely shocked and devastated” by Liotta’s passing, and DeNiro confided that Liotta was “way too young to have left us.
May he Rest in Peace.”
In a statement, Scorcese added, “He was so uniquely gifted, so adventurous, so courageous as an actor.”
Pontification?
Scorcese was “absolutely amazed” by Liotta’s performance in “Goodfellas.”
“Playing Henry Hill in ‘Goodfellas’ was a tall order, because the character had so many different facets, so many complicated layers, and Ray was in almost every scene of a long, tough shoot,” he said.
“He absolutely amazed me, and I’ll always be proud of the work we did together on that picture.”
The cinematic gangster, Liotta, was actually a gentle soul.
Never fought; no trouble.
“I don’t go around beating people up,” Liotta told the New York Post in October 2021.
“I’ve never been in a fight. I avoid it at all costs.”
Another testament to his stage and screen acumen.
To his broad skill set as an actor.
“Something Wild,” 1986.
“ER.”
“Cop Land.”
“Corrina Corrina.”
“Unforgettable.”
Wary of being forever typecast, Liotta turned down the role of Ralphie in “The Sopranos,” played by Joe Pantoliano.
He needed a break from back-to-back mafioso roles.
He did however, go on to work with Sopranos creator David Chase in the feature film spinoff of the series, 2021’s “The Many Saints of Newark.”
Couldn’t stay away.
Screenwriter-producer Chase weighed in.
“This is a massive, unexpected shock,” he began.
“I have been an admirer of Ray’s work since I saw him in ‘Something Wild,’ a movie he wrenched by the tail.
I believed strongly in my heart that he could play that double role.
He created two distinctly separate characters and each performance was phenomenal.
Ray was also a very warm and humorous person.
A really superior actor.
We all felt we lucked out having him on that movie.”
Lorraine Bracco and JLo waxed no less eloquent.
Tweeted Bracco, who played the wife of Liotta’s character in “Goodfellas,”
“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.”
Jennifer Lopez, who starred alongside Liotta in the NBC action series “Shades of Blue,” referred glowingly to her “mushy on the inside” co-star.
The actress wrote this on Twitter:
“Ray was my partner in crime on Shades of Blue…
The first thing that comes to mind is he was so kind to my children.
Ray was the epitome of a tough guy who was all mushy on the inside…
I guess that’s what made him such a compelling actor to watch.
The original Goodfella.”
Other acting contemporaries and filmmakers alike, have used these words to describe Ray Liotta:
“Legend.”
“Dangerous.”
“Unpredictable.”
“Hilarious.”
“Generous with his praise for other actors.”
“Playful and passionate creative partner.”
“Brilliant.”
Here’s one more.
Mensch.
In his 67 years, Raymond Allen Liotta proved himself to be a person of integrity.
And honor.
I will miss him.
[Editor’s Note: This piece was written by Mr. Kaplan in May 2022.]
