Ray Liotta: The Goodfellas star and Hollywood icon has died at 67

Ray Liotta, the actor whose role in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas earned him a prominent place on the Hollywood map, has died. According to Deadline, Liotta passed in his sleep in the Dominican Republic, where he was shooting the film Dangerous Waters. Liotta was 67 years old. He is survived by his daughter, Karsen, and was engaged to be married to Jacy Nittolo.

Liotta was coming back to the silver screen in a big way in recent times by starring in projects like The Many Saints of Newark, Marriage Story, and No Sudden Move. He recently completed work on Elizabeth Banks’ Cocaine Bear and was slated to star in the Working Title film The Substance, starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley.

Some of Liotta’s most memorable roles include parts in films like Hannibal, Cop Land, Narc, Something Wild, Revolver, and more.

Born in New Jersey on 18 December 1954, Liotta was adopted at the age of six months after being abandoned at an orphanage. He grew up on the streets of New Jersey, though he eventually moved to Los Angeles to nurture his acting career. He landed his first role in 1983’s The Lonely Lady, starring Pia Zadora, Lloyd Bocher, and Bibi Besch. Liotta played Joe Heron.

Liotta starred as Ed Santini in the 1985 TV series Our Family Honor, though it was his part as Ray Sinclair in Jonathan Demme’s Something Wild that labeled him as an actor to watch. Something Wild also starred Melanie Griffith and Jeff Daniels and focused on a free-spirited woman who kidnaps a yuppie for a weekend of adventure. Her plan goes south after her ex-convict husband shows up, ruining all the fun.

Liotta starred in countless roles after Something Wild made him a Hollywood favorite. The 1990s were exceptionally kind, with parts in Unforgettable, Muppets From Space, Phoenix, Inferno, etc. Liotta had a quieter decade throughout the 2000s but is attached to many high-profile projects as of late.

We here at JoBlo would like to extend our most sincere condolences to Mr. Liotta’s family, friends, and fans. We are all significant fans of his work and feel devastated by this news. His passing serves as a grim reminder that any one of us can pass on at any time. Please be kind to one another, and hug someone you care for extra tight today.