‘Goodfellas’ Star Ray Liotta Dead at 67: Kristin Chenoweth, Lorraine Bracco and More Stars React

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‘Goodfellas’ Star Ray Liotta Dead at 67: Kristin Chenoweth, Lorraine Bracco and More Stars React

Gone too soon. Celebrities including Lorraine Bracco, Kristin Chenoweth and Devon Sawa mourned the loss of actor Ray Liotta after his death at age 67. The Goodfellas star died in his sleep while on location in the Dominican Republic for the movie Dangerous Waters, Liotta’s rep confirmed to NBC on Thursday, May 26. Liotta’s former Goodfellas costar Bracco, 67, paid tribute to her late friend via Twitter, revealing why it was so great to work on the 1990s film. “I can be anywhere in the world & people will come up & tell me their favorite movie is Goodfellas,” the Rizzoli & Isles alum tweeted on Thursday. “Then they always ask what was the best part of making that movie. My response has always been the same … Ray Liotta.” Chenoweth, who was close with Liotta early in his career, honored the late actor via social media as well. “I adored you,” the 53-year-old Broadway star tweeted. “I love knowing you all those years ago. 😢.” [jwplayer HC8q4egi-zhNYySv2] Sawa, for his part, expressed sadness over losing an acting legend. “This one stung more than usual,” the Casper star, 43, tweeted, noting that Liotta’s “Goodfellas remains tied with Aliens as my favorite film(s) ever made.” Liotta broke into Hollywood in 1980 and quickly received a Golden Globe nomination for the role of Ray Sinclair in 1986’s Something Wild. Four years later, he landed the role of Henry Hill in 1990’s Goodfellas and his career took off. The seasoned actor’s other film hits include Field of Dreams, Hannibal, Heartbreakers and Smokin’ Aces. Liotta gained even more fame when he starred alongside Jennifer Lopez on Shades of Blue from 2016 to 2018. The Emmy winner’s most recent acting credits include The Many Saints of Neward, Marriage Story, No Sudden Move and the 2022’s TV show Black Bird. Liotta recently finished filming Cocaine Bear, which was directed by Elizabeth Banks, and was set to star alongside Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley in the upcoming film The Substance before his death. The New Jersey native is survived by his 23-year-old daughter, Karsen, whom he shares with ex-wife Michelle Grace. He was engaged to Jacy Nittolo. Scroll down to read more heartfelt tributes about the late star: [podcast_block]

Credit: Shutterstock (3)

‘Goodfellas’ Star Ray Liotta Dead at 67: Kristin Chenoweth, Lorraine Bracco and More Stars React

Gone too soon. Celebrities including Lorraine Bracco, Kristin Chenoweth and Devon Sawa mourned the loss of actor Ray Liotta after his death at age 67. The Goodfellas star died in his sleep while on location in the Dominican Republic for the movie Dangerous Waters, Liotta’s rep confirmed to NBC on Thursday, May 26. Liotta’s former Goodfellas costar Bracco, 67, paid tribute to her late friend via Twitter, revealing why it was so great to work on the 1990s film. “I can be anywhere in the world & people will come up & tell me their favorite movie is Goodfellas,” the Rizzoli & Isles alum tweeted on Thursday. “Then they always ask what was the best part of making that movie. My response has always been the same … Ray Liotta.” Chenoweth, who was close with Liotta early in his career, honored the late actor via social media as well. “I adored you,” the 53-year-old Broadway star tweeted. “I love knowing you all those years ago. 😢.” [jwplayer HC8q4egi-zhNYySv2] Sawa, for his part, expressed sadness over losing an acting legend. “This one stung more than usual,” the Casper star, 43, tweeted, noting that Liotta’s “Goodfellas remains tied with Aliens as my favorite film(s) ever made.” Liotta broke into Hollywood in 1980 and quickly received a Golden Globe nomination for the role of Ray Sinclair in 1986’s Something Wild. Four years later, he landed the role of Henry Hill in 1990’s Goodfellas and his career took off. The seasoned actor’s other film hits include Field of Dreams, Hannibal, Heartbreakers and Smokin’ Aces. Liotta gained even more fame when he starred alongside Jennifer Lopez on Shades of Blue from 2016 to 2018. The Emmy winner’s most recent acting credits include The Many Saints of Neward, Marriage Story, No Sudden Move and the 2022’s TV show Black Bird. Liotta recently finished filming Cocaine Bear, which was directed by Elizabeth Banks, and was set to star alongside Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley in the upcoming film The Substance before his death. The New Jersey native is survived by his 23-year-old daughter, Karsen, whom he shares with ex-wife Michelle Grace. He was engaged to Jacy Nittolo. Scroll down to read more heartfelt tributes about the late star: [podcast_block]

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Sigourney Weaver

Weaver, who starred alongside the Hanna alum in the 2001 romantic comedy Heartbreakers, told People in May 2022 that “Ray’s lovesick gangster, Dean, is the real heartbreaker” in the film, noting that he “may not be known primarily for his comic chops” but the late actor “brought impeccable timing and wit to everything he did.”

“Loaded with charm and physical ease, Ray was a natural comedy and just a doll to work with. We had such a good time,” the Avatar star added. “A true original and a lovely guy, gone much too soon.”

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David Chase

“This is a massive, unexpected shock,” the Sopranos creator told Deadline in a statement. “I have been an admirer of Ray’s work since I saw him in Something Wild, a movie he wrenched by the tail. I was so glad he worked on The Many Saints of Newark. 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.”

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Adam Sandler

"Tremendous actor. Sweetheart of a dad," tweeted the comedian, who appeared alongside Liotta in 2020's Hubie Halloween. "Such a great funny man to know. Prayers are with his whole family."

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Elizabeth Banks

"I had a special bond with Ray Liotta. We met on a little film, The Details and he blew me away," the 30 Rock alum, who directed Liotta in the upcoming film Cocaine Bear, wrote via Instagram. "I always admired his acting but I genuinely enjoyed him as a human. He was a charmer. We have been collaborating on Cocaine Bear these past few months. I just saw him, hugged him, heard about his summer travel plans. When any actor of Ray’s caliber puts trust in you as a director, it’s a gift. But Ray gave me so much more. I had been told in the past by Hollywood producers that men wouldn’t follow me, that I couldn’t direct action because of that. Ray’s respect for me as a director, actress and artist, as his boss on set, meant everything to me because if you can direct Henry Hill, you can do f–king anything in this town. I am so grateful Ray Liotta blessed my life. May he Rest In Peace. My heart is with Karsten and Jacy today, his two favorite women."

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Robert De Niro

“I was very saddened to learn of Ray’s passing," Liotta's Goodfellas costar told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement. "He is way too way young to have left us. May he Rest in Peace.”

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James Caan

"Not Ray 💔," tweeted the Godfather star.

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Martin Scorsese

"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," the Goodfellas director told People in a statement. "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."

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Michael Imperioli

Liotta played Dickie Moltisanti, the father of Imperioli's Sopranos character Christopher Moltisanti, in 2021's The Many Saints of Newark. The duo also appeared together in Goodfellas. "I was very young and very green when I got cast in Goodfellas. Needless to say, the stakes were very high for me," Imperioli recalled via Instagram. "Ray was very kind and very gracious and treated me with respect at a very vulnerable moment in my career/life. Being kind and gracious and respectful to someone fearful and vulnerable … well, that’s what we call 'class,' my friends. I am proud to have shared the screen with Ray and I’m sorry he left us so soon."

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Kevin Costner

"Devastated to hear the news of Ray Liotta’s passing," tweeted the Yellowstone star, who appeared alongside Liotta in 1989's Field of Dreams. "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."

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Ed Sheeran

“So very sad to hear of Ray Liotta’s passing. I got to work with him on the ‘Bloodstream’ music video with Emil Nava, and got hung out with him at gigs,” the 31-year-old musician wrote via Instagram. “He was such a fun guy, so so sweet, and I loved being around him. Goodfellas will always be my favorite movie. Will raise a toast tonight for him xx.”

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Jennifer Lopez

The 52-year-old actress mourned the loss of her former Shades of Blue costar in a series of social media messages. “Ray was my partner in crime on Shades of Blue … the first thing that comes to mind is he so was kind to my children,” she began via Twitter. “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.”

Lopez recalled sharing some “intense moments” on set with Liotta after initially being “thrilled” to have him join the project. “We lost a great today … RIP RAY … it’s so sad to lose you what seems way to soon,” she concluded. “I will remember you always. Sending so much love and strength to your daughter Karsen, your family and all your loved ones.”

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Josh Brolin

“My buddy. My friend. How so soon? Why? I’ll miss you. I will think about seeing you at Gold’s often, talking about what to do next, how to find something together,” the 54-year-old actor wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of his dear friend. “I always looked up to you — the work was always so good, but the man you were always stood out among the rest of them. Yes, I will miss you, pal. Until we meet again, wherever they say that is. ❤️❤️💔 #riprayliotta.”

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Taron Egerton

The Black Bird star opened up via Instagram about what it was like playing Liotta’s son in the Apple TV series, revealing that the late actor “walked over to me and hugged me without saying a word” when they first met. Egerton noted that he looked to Liotta during the filming process, calling it a “profound experience” working alongside him.

“I have never felt such an easy, warm connection with another performer. He was so generous. If I went one way he followed me. Always dancing. Always listening. Never self-generated,” he continued. “I will always be most proud of my scenes with Ray; the relationship we built felt real in some strange way.”

The British actor concluded: “When I first saw our show, I text[ed] him telling him that I felt his performance was beautiful and that I was very proud of our work. His response was: ‘You made it easy to love my son.’ Ray, the feeling was so, so mutual. I will miss you.”

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Alessandro Nivola

“RIP Ray Liotta. I feel so lucky to have squared off against this legend in one of his final roles,” the 49-year-old actor, who worked with Liotta on The Many Saints of Newark, tweeted. “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.”

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Seth Rogen

“I can’t believe Ray Liotta has passed away. He was such a lovely, talented and hilarious person,” the Freaks and Geeks alum, 40, wrote via social media. “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.”

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Piers Morgan

“RIP Ray Liotta, 67. Brilliant actor, loved him in Goodfellas. Sad news,” the 57-year-old broadcaster wrote via social media.

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Viola Davis

“RIP Ray Liotta!!” the How to Get Away With Murder alum, 56, wrote via social media “Loved your work ❤️.”

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Devon Sawa

“I try not to do the RIPs but Ray Liotta was truly one of my favorites to watch,” he tweeted. “He just has this magnetic draw to his performances.”

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Kristin Chenoweth

“RIP GOODFELLA Ray Liotta,” she added via Twitter.

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Ice-T

“Wow! This truly sucks … RIP Goodfella 🙏🏽,” the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star, 64, tweeted.

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Lorraine Bracco

“I am utterly shattered to hear this terrible news about my Ray,” the Sopranos alum wrote via Twitter.

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Jamie Lee Curtis

“Ray Liotta has died. His work as an actor showed his complexity as a human being,” the Halloween actress, 63, tweeted. “A gentle man. So sad to hear.”