Ray Liotta dead at 67 – Charismatic star of “Goodfellas”

Ray Liotta, the New Jersey actor who played as mobster Henry Hill in “Goodfellas,” has died.

Liotta, 67, died in his sleep in the Dominican Republic, where he had been filming the movie “Dangerous Waters.” Those who shared the screen with Liotta remembered him for being a dynamic, immensely talented actor with a generous spirit.

Liotta was an ambassador for a special strain of Jersey cool. Onscreen, he could be biting, suave or darkly funny, often all at once. He was born in Newark and grew up in Union Township the adoptive son of Mary and Alfred Liotta, who were active in the local political scene and local government, his mother was township clerk and his father was in the leadership of the Democratic club.

In 2021, Liotta revisited his Jersey roots, pulling double duty as two characters in the “Sopranos” prequel film “The Many Saints of Newark.” He played both the loud, bombastic “Hollywood Dick” Moltisanti, father of Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola) and grandfather of Christopher Moltisanti; and Dick’s twin brother, the sage, understated Sal Moltisanti, or Uncle Sally, who dispensed wisdom from prison.

I really was able to have my cake and eat it too,” Liotta said when talking about the Jersey-set film.