Goodfellas and Field Of Dreams actor Ray Liotta has died aged 67.
According to Deadline, the actor passed away in his sleep in the Dominican Republic, where he was shooting the film Dangerous Waters.
- READ MORE: Ray Liotta: a true cinema legend who was blessed with resting mob-face
A cause of death has not yet been released.
Liotta had his breakthrough role in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 crime film Goodfellas, where he played Henry Hill. Before that, he played Shoeless Joe Jackson in 1989’s Field Of Dreams.
The actor received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor for the 1986 film Something Wild. His other notable roles include Cop Land, 2001’s Hannibal, Blow, The Place Beyond The Pines and TV series Shades Of Blue.
His most recent film roles include Jay Marotta in 2019’s Marriage Story and The Sopranos film prequel The Many Saints Of Newark, released last year.
Liotta was also known for his voice work in games, having played the character of Tommy Vercetti in 2002’s Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
The actor recently finished work on Cocaine Bear, directed by Elizabeth Banks. He also stars in Apple TV+ series Black Bird alongside Taron Egerton, set to be released July 8 this year.
The actor is survived by his daughter Karsen. He was engaged to be married to Jacy Nittolo.
Scorsese paid tribute to Liotta in a statement, writing: “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.
“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 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.”
His Goodfellas co-star Robert De Niro said: “I was very saddened to learn of Ray’s passing. He is way too young to have left us.”
Director James Mangold, who worked with Liotta on Cop Land, paid tribute on Twitter, writing: “Shocked and saddened to hear of Ray Liotta’s passing. Beyond the tough guy exterior and the tightly wound emotions of signature characters, he was a sweet, playful and passionate collaborator and brilliant actor. RIP.”
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. RIP. pic.twitter.com/O5tueLlBMP
— Mangold (@mang0ld) May 26, 2022
Jamie Lee Curtis wrote: “Ray Liotta has died. His work as an actor showed his complexity as a human being. A gentle man. So sad to hear.”
You can check out more tributes below.
Devastated to hear the news of Ray Liotta’s passing. While he leaves an incredible legacy, he’ll always be “Shoeless Joe Jackson” in my heart. What happened that moment in the film was real. God gave us that stunt. Now God has Ray. pic.twitter.com/JQmk1PsuSK
— Kevin Costner & MW (@modernwest) May 26, 2022
Ray Liotta has died. His work as an actor showed his complexity as a human being. A gentle man. So sad to hear.
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) May 26, 2022
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.
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) May 26, 2022
RIP Ray Liotta!! Loved your work ❤️https://t.co/XmoRVn4L3R
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) May 26, 2022
RIP Ray Liotta. I feel so lucky to have squared off against this legend in one of his final roles. The scenes we did together were among the all time highlights of my acting career. He was dangerous, unpredictable, hilarious, and generous with his praise for other actors.Too soon pic.twitter.com/FvsV2NNHkw
— Alessandro Nivola (@SandroNivola) May 26, 2022
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. pic.twitter.com/3gNjJFTAne— Lorraine Bracco (@Lorraine_Bracco) May 26, 2022
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.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) May 26, 2022
Rest In Peace Ray Liotta, legendary actor and the iconic voice of Tommy Vercetti. pic.twitter.com/d2VPVjRNGX
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) May 26, 2022
Too sad to conceive that Ray Liotta has passed. If he’d only made Goodfellas, it would be a credit to retire on. But he was incredible in Cop Land, Narc, Marriage Story & much more, especially his searing debut in Something Wild. His entrance at the end of this scene? Perfection. pic.twitter.com/0IhbRuKx2b
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) May 26, 2022
Although its been years since we worked together, each time we crossed each other’s paths, you were always sincere, kind, gracious, and a loving gentleman. You will be sorely missed, Ray Liotta. Fly with the Angels you insanely talented human being. You touched my life. pic.twitter.com/0tACq6gVdi
— Giancarlo Esposito (@quiethandfilms) May 26, 2022
