Fans of the cult-classic mobster film Goodfellas are mourning the loss of the film’s star, Ray Liotta. It was reported on Thursday that the actor had died at age 67.
The actor’s unexpected death occurred while on location filming a new movie. As fans know, Ray was in the middle of a career resurgence. Following the success of the Martin Scorsese crime classic , the Goodfellas star gained international recognition.
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“Deadline” reports that the actor died unexpectedly in his sleep while on location in the Dominican Republic, where he was shooting his latest film “Dangerous Waters.”
The actor leaves behind one daughter, 23-year-old Karsen, who he shares with ex-wife Michelle Grace, and his bride-to-be, Jacy Nittolo.
Ray announced his engagement to girlfriend Jacy in December 2020.
“Christmas wishes do come true,” he captioned a sweet picture of the couple by their Christmas tree . “I asked the love of my life to marry me, and thank God she said yes!!!”
“People” magazine reports that police do not suspect foul play and that Jacy was with her fiancé at the time of his death.
Speaking with the publication in November, he admitted that he was nothing like the tough guys he plays on-screen.
“I have never been in a fight at all, except for during sports, and that’s just pushing and goofy kid stuff,” he said at the time.
Reflecting on his career, Ray said: “It’s weird how this business works because I’ve definitely had a career that’s up and down.”
“For some reason, I’ve been busier this year than I have in all the years that I’ve been doing this. And I still feel I’m not there yet.”
“I just think there’s a lot more,” he added.
Speaking about the importance of family, the New Jersey-born actor struggled to come to terms with his childhood.
As fans may know, the star was adopted from an orphanage as a baby by his parents Alfred and Mary.
“At first, I didn’t understand how a parent could give up a child,” he admitted. “So I had that kind of energy of just being like, that’s [expletive] up.”
“And then when I finally met my birth mom in my 40s, by then, I wasn’t as angry about it. It’s just another journey,” he explained to the publication.
“After years, you grow up, and you just see the pattern of things.”
“I’ve definitely developed more patience.”
“Now I’m grateful for my health. And being born. For my parents that adopted me. I mean, it could have gone a lot of different ways,” Ray added.
As fans know, the actor’s career was at an all-time high.
Recent returns to the screen included “The Many Saints of Newark”, “Marriage Story”, and “No Sudden Move.” Ray had also recently wrapped the Elizabeth Banks-directed film, “Cocaine Bear.”
His Instagram post about the film, made on May 3rd, will now remain as his final social media post.
Deadline announced that the 67-year-old was also due to star in the Working Title film “The Substance” opposite Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley.
It’s clear that Ray was showing no signs of slowing down , which makes his death all the more heartbreaking for his friends, family, and fans.
Fans have taken to social media to remember the actor and thank him for his impeccable work.
His list of iconic roles, which include Henry Hill in Goodfellas and Shoeless Joe Jackson in Field of Dreams will never be forgotten by those who love him, and those who love good cinema.
