Ray Liotta, for decades a prolific source of gravitas in the industry, died on Thursday at the age of 67.
Deadline first reported the news, saying the Goodfellas and The Many Saints of Newark actor died in his sleep in the Dominican Republic, where he (and his fiancée Jacy Nittolo) were staying while Liotta worked on an upcoming film. The news came as a shock to the film community and longtime fans alike, who had just this month learned that another upcoming Liotta project—the Elizabeth Banks-directed Cocaine Bear—had been given a 2023 release date.
It’s difficult to summarize a career like Liotta’s down to just a few choice roles or highlight reel moments. While Martin Scorsese’s unanimously acclaimed Goodfellas understandably takes up a lot of space in such discussions, the actor amassed a catalog of truly unforgettable performances, including his Emmy-winning guest appearance on ER in 2004 and his dual roles in the aforementioned Sopranos prequel.
Tribute messages and reflections on Liotta’s life and legacy quickly started being shared in the wake of Thursday’s news, including from the actor’s Goodfellas co-star Lorraine Bracco. Liotta and Bracco, notably, appear together in what is often touted as one of the most glorious long takes in cinematic history.
Josh Brolin, Viola Davis, Seth Rogen, Jeffrey Wright, Jamie Lee Curtis, James Mangold, Alessandro Nivola, and others have also paid their respects on social media. See more below, then go put on one of your favorite Liotta films in celebration of an artistic life well-lived.
