Photo: lifestyle.inquirer.net
Ray Liotta had been remarkable for his entire film and TV projects in a career spanning decades. Following his sudden passing at 67, many have expressed their grief and respect for the star.
“God is a Goodfella, and so is Ray,” Joe Pesci told EW. Pesci snagged an Oscar award for his character in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas with Liotta, who starred in the lead role of real-life gangster Harry Hill.
Lorraine Bracco, who played Henry’s wife in Goodfellas as Karen, can attest to how his passing impacted her. Every time someone asks the actress about The Scorsese classic (of which they both had great parts), all she says is their favorite bit: working with Liotta.
“I’m absolutely shocked and devastated by the sudden, unexpected death of Ray Liotta. He was so uniquely gifted, so adventurous, so courageous as an actor,” said Goodfellas filmmaker Martin Scorsese in a statement to PEOPLE.
“Playing Henry Hill in Goodfellas was a tall order because the character had so many different facets, so many complicated layers, and Ray was almost every scene of a long, tough shoot. He absolutely amazed me, and I’ll always be proud of the work we did together on that picture. My heart goes out to his loved ones, and it aches for his loss, way too early.”
Liotta’s real-life sweetness is often contrasted with his tough-guy characters – which many have stressed in their tributes.
Jennifer Lopez, who acted with Liotta for three seasons of the NBC cop drama Shades of Blue, took to Instagram her tribute, saying, “the first thing that comes to mind is he was so kind to my children.”
Lopez added, “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.”
Canadian actor and filmmaker Seth Rogen said on Twitter: “I can’t believe Ray Liotta has passed away. He was such a lovely, talented, and hilarious person. Working with him was one of the great joys of my career, and we made some of my favorite scenes I ever got to be in. A true legend of immense skill and grace.”
“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 sweet playful and passionate collaborator and brilliant actor. RIP,” tweeted Mangold along with a picture of him with Liotta.
