Intense and commanding, but passionate and endearing, Ray Liotta was one of the great character actors for the last four decades. After the news broke of his death, a walk through his most memorable performances is not only warranted, but necessary to remind us of what we lost in the Hollywood community.
My cinematic introduction to the talented Liotta was when I was eight years old. It was the summer of 1992, and my sister — who is nine years older than me — and I ventured out to the theater — Whitestone Cinemas in Bronx, N.Y., if I recall correctly, which had a tall billboard sign, you could see from the Cross Bronx Expressway. We purchased tickets to see “Unlawful Entry” (1992) from director Jonathan Kaplan. Marketed as a horror-type thriller, and coming from the person who helmed “The Accused” (1988), which earned Jodie Foster her first Oscar for best actress, we were stoked to see a movie in which a cop becomes obsessed with a married couple (played by Kurt Russell and Madeleine Stowe) after an intruder breaks into their home in the middle of the night.
My family had never been the type to “look up” if a movie was age-appropriate. I can recall sitting in the theater and my sister covering my eyes more than a dozen times due to the film’s sexually graphic scenes. But that wasn’t what stood out. Instead, it was the terrifying police officer Pete Davis (Liotta) and his growing obsession with Karen Carr (Stowe), which increasingly became violent and unhinged. While the film is triggering, coming out on the heels of the 1992 Los Angeles Riots and the beating of Rodney King, Liotta’s work proved to be one of the most incredible displays of commitment I had seen by an actor.
His effortless transition between a good cop and a bad cop was among the best and brightest villainous turns of the 1990s. He would display a friendly demeanor sitting poolside with Karen’s husband, Michael (Russell), then explode to get what he wanted. This would lead to my discovery of his countless contributions to the medium, pre, and post-“Entry.”
Liotta had roles in three films nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards. The first was as Shoeless Joe Jackson, the baseball player with the “sense of danger,” as writer-director Phil Alden Robinson said when casting him in “Field of Dreams” (1989) opposite Kevin Costner.
He would take on the leading role of Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” (1990). Probably the closest he ever got to receiving an Oscar nom, his opening line, “as far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster,” is among his most iconic and famous in pop culture. Because of the cultural impact of Scorsese’s gangster pic, Liotta’s legacy will continue to endure.
Still going strong after all of these years, Liotta had a brief, but memorable moments in Noah Baumbach’s divorce film “Marriage Story” (2019) as Jay Marotta, the lawyer who goes toe to toe with Nora Fanshaw (played by Oscar winner Laura Dern).
Liotta was an Emmy winner for outstanding guest actor in a drama series for his role of Charlie Metcalf on the NBC series “ER” in 2005. He also received two SAG Award nominations for outstanding performance by a male actor in a TV movie or miniseries — “The Rat Pack” (1998) as Frank Sinatra and “Texas Rising” (2015) as Lorca.
To celebrate his life, Variety is ranking Liotta’s best performances. Include your favorites in the comments.
Honorable mentions: “The Many Saints of Newark” (2020), “The Place Beyond the Pines” (2012), “Texas Rising” (2002)
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Corrina, Corrina (1994)
Image Credit: ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Manny Singer
Distributed by: New Line Cinema
Directed by: Jessie Nelson
Written by: Jessie NelsonThe scene that proves it: “One of the last things my wife said to me, was don’t forget to pick up some almonds on the way home…”
Another early viewing for 90s kids, we got to see the softer side of Liotta in the period drama “Corrina, Corrina” opposite Whoopi Goldberg. While the film doesn’t fully explore the racial dynamics of an interracial couple, you see the patient temperament that Liotta brings to the role. I wish we saw him afforded more roles such as this.
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The Rat Pack (2002)
Role: Frank Sinatra
Distributed by: HBO
Directed by: Rob Cohen
Written by: Kario SalemThe scene that proves it: “I’m Gonna Live ‘Til I Die.”
TV movies get siloed from theatrically released cinema, but this one stands out. I can recall catching Liotta’s attempt to take on the larger-than-life Frank Sinatra in the HBO event film. While not every movie element comes together, Liotta doesn’t go for a copycat performance, instead delivering his own interpretation of the iconic singer.
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Smokin' Aces (2006)
Image Credit: ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Donald Carruthers
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Directed by: Joe Carnahan
Written by: Joe CarnahanThe scene that proves it: “Mortal…”
On the surface, Carnahan’s action ensemble film “Smokin’ Aces” may not attract admirers of the acting craft, but with Liotta, it’s never taken much for him to stand out among his colleagues. Acting as the emotional backbone of his co-star Ryan Reynolds, to drive him to a satisfying finale, his death scene in the elevator, which convincingly shows the audience his importance in his partner’s life, is a heartbreaking scene worth noting.
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Cop Land (1997)
Image Credit: ©Miramax/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Gary “Figgsy” Figgis
Distributed by: Miramax Films
Directed by: James Mangold
Written by: James MangoldThe scene that proves it: “How do you ensure the greens?”
James Mangold’s noir thriller stands as one of Sylvester Stallone’s most delicate acting turns, but also shows Liotta’s ability to lift any co-star with whom he shares a scene. Along with co-star Harvey Keitel, the trio created an orchestra for this thrilling symphony, where Liotta’s solo parts are the highest notes, full of rich eagerness and love of the craft.
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Marriage Story (2019)
Image Credit: ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Jay Marotta
Distributed by: Netflix
Directed by: Noah Baumbach
Written by: Noah BaumbachThe scene that proves it: “Half of crazy is crazy.”
Netflix was able to get Noah Baumbach’s personal portrait of divorce and some high-profile Oscar noms, including best picture, actor (Adam Driver), actress (Scarlett Johansson), original screenplay, original score (Randy Newman) and eventual supporting actress winner (Laura Dern). Maybe it was vote-splitting with his co-star Alan Alda, but there’s no denying the fiery complexity and passion he brings to his Jay Marotta, the second lawyer Charlie Barber hires to represent him. The sparring that Dern and Liotta exhibit in the courtroom scene is among the film’s most incredible minutes.
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Unlawful Entry (1992)
Image Credit: ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Officer Pete Davis
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios)
Directed by: Jonathan Kaplan
Written by: Lewis Colick, Ken Friedman (screenplay by), George Putnam, John Katchmer (story by)The scene that proves it: “Don’t you resist me.”
Liotta’s villainous cop has more depth than appears on the surface. Opposite Kurt Russell and Madeleine Stowe, his growing obsession with a woman following a home break-in showcases complex acting skills. In one of the pivotal scenes, in which he finds the intruder, his near-convincing plea for Michael to beat the man mercilessly has Liotta unloading his acting arsenal to impeccable resolve.
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Something Wild (1986)
Image Credit: ©Orion Pictures Corp/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Ray Sinclair
Distributed by: Orion Pictures
Directed by: Jonathan Demme
Written by: E. Max FryeThe scene that proves it: “I’m only starting to like you Charlie…”
Liotta nabbed himself a Golden Globe nomination for best supporting actor for his work as the ex-convict and husband in Jonathan Demme’s classic comedy, alongside the likes of Jeff Daniels and Melanie Griffith. He’s always excelled in demanding the viewer’s attention, no matter who he’s sharing the scene with, and this lighter role had him delivering some of his finest acting moments.
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Narc (2002)
Image Credit: ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Lieutenant Henry Oak
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Directed by: Joe Carnahan
Written by: Joe CarnahanThe scene that proves it: “I went with the sheriff on a warrant raid…”
Liotta has often played some semblance of a crooked or damaged police officer, but in Joe Carnahan’s thriller about an undercover narcotics officer trying to solve a murder case, he gets to stretch himself as an actor. In one of his best performances, Liotta and co-star Jason Patric have multiple exchanges of dialogue, with Liotta’s heartbreaking facial expressions of regret and pain weighing on his every word.
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Field of Dreams (1989)
Image Credit: ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Shoeless Joe Jackson
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Directed by: Phil Alden Robinson
Written by: Phil Alden Robinson (based on “Shoeless Joe” by W.P. Kinsella)The scene that proves it: “Is that why you did this, for you?”
“If you build it, he will come.” That’s the message that inspires Iowa Ray Kinsella (Costner) to build a baseball diamond.
The identity of the actor who provided “The Voice,” who speaks to Ray throughout the film, has always remained a mystery. Some believe it’s either Costner or Liotta (some even say it’s Ed Harris). Shoeless Joe Jackson is someone that means a lot to many. We remain eternally grateful to Liotta for him.
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Goodfellas (1990)
Image Credit: ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection Role: Henry Hill
Distributed by: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Written by: Nicholas Pileggi, Martin Scorsese (based on “Wiseguy” by Nicholas Pileggi)The scene that proves it: “You’re really funny.”
Liotta leads the testosterone-filled cast that includes Oscar winners Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci (who won supporting actor for his work in this film), and remains one of the most egregious misses for the film, aside from best picture (which it lost to “Dances With Wolves”). His boisterous laugh echos in the chambers of silver-screen history, and remains his most wondrous cinematic gift of his time here on Earth.