The decorated and talented Ray Liotta first rose to prominence with his career-defining performance in Martin Scorsese’s crime masterpiece Goodfellas. Liotta was a relative unknown when he first landed the epic role, which helped establish the actor as one of Hollywood’s most buzzed about leading men, and kicked off an enduring tenure in Tinseltown. He would follow up the acclaimed film with noteworthy appearances in hits like Blow, The Place Beyond the Pines, Marriage Story, and No Sudden Move.
Liotta also branched out from the big screen to star in television shows including Texas Rising, Shades of Blue, and Black Bird, and also voiced Tommy Vercetti in the popular video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. The sensational star tragically passed away on May 26, 2022 at 67, following respiratory issues and heart failure. He has has two upcoming films that will be posthumously released, including the upcoming body horror flick The Substance. There are Ray Liotta’s 10 best movies, as ranked by Rotten Tomatoes.
10 Kill the Messenger — 76%
Based on the Nick Schou novel of the same name as well as real-life events, the 2014 biographical crime thriller Kill the Messenger centers on newspaper journalist Gary Webb (Jeremy Renner) as he sets out on a dangerous mission to investigate the CIA's involvement in America's crack epidemic that ran rampant in the 1980s, with the reporter digging into the conspiracy to prove the agency used the drug profits to fund and arm Nicaraguan rebels. Ray Liotta appears as CIA source John Cullen, someone with immense knowledge on the illegal activities that occurred who secretly reaches out to Webb in an effort to aid him, though his help ultimately comes too late.
9 Dominick and Eugene — 77%
Tom Hulce and Ray Liotta star as the eponymous twin brothers who must overcome both personal and professional hurdles that test their bond in the 1988 drama Dominick and Eugene, which follows the determined medical student Eugene as he hustles to achieve his career dreams while living with and caring for his mentally challenged brother Dominick "Nicky", who also helps pay for his schooling. The poignant picture delves into the diverse siblings' profound connection, with the chemistry between Hulce and Liotta driving the engrossing drama and earning rave reviews from both critics and audiences.
8 The Place Beyond the Pines — 78%
Touting a decorated ensemble cast led by Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, and Eva Mendes, the 2012 epic crime drama The Place Beyond the Pines depicts three interconnected stories that center on motorcycle stuntman Luke Glanton (Gosling) as he turns to a life of crime and robbing banks in an effort to provide for his newborn child and ex (Mendes), catching the unwanted attention of both a rookie police officer (Cooper) and a corrupt detective (Liotta). The trio's actions have a domino affect on the people closest to them, with the drama also exploring the aftermath of their decisions 15 years later.
Director Derek Cianfrance specifically wrote the role of detective Peter Deluca for Liotta, as the filmmaker was a huge fan of the actor and was in one of his favorite movies, Goodefellas.The Place Beyond the Pines made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival where it earned widespread praise for its thought-provoking look at the vicious cycles of violence, compelling performances, and the emotional depth of its gripping storyline.
7 Narc — 83%
In Joe Carnahan's gritty 2002 neo-noir crime thriller Narc, Jason Patric and Ray Liotta portray determined Detroit detectives Nick Tellis and Henry Oak, who will stop at nothing to capture the killer of a young undercover cop who was brutally murdered in the line of duty. The recently suspended Tellis reluctantly finds himself drawn back onto the force when he teams up with the slain officer's partner Oak, a rogue cop who is not afraid to get his hands dirty and bend the law in order to get some answers and catch the violent culprit.
After Carnahan had trouble finding a home for the script, the project eventually caught the attention of Liotta, who ”was looking for a movie that would have some impact, or at least make some cash,'' and after meeting with the director he felt inspired to both produce and star in the thriller. It went on to become a critical and commercial success, with Liotta nabbing an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Male.
6 Field of Dreams — 88%
Liotta starred as legendary Major League Baseball player Shoeless Joe Jackson in the 1989 sports fantasy drama Field of Dreams, telling the story of Iowa corn farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) who builds a baseball diamond in his cornfield after repeatedly hearing a mysterious voice say, "If you build it, he will come." Believing it will somehow bring him closer to his deceased father, Ray decides to build it, illogical as it seems to him and his family. He discovers the ghosts of Jackson and fellow Chicago White Sox players who were banned from playing in the 1919 World Series, and he sets out to understand his destiny with the help of a controversial author (James Earl Jones).
Field of Dreams was a smash hit with moviegoers, earning over $84 million at the box office while also receiving three Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. The sports drama has since gone on to become a beloved staple of the genre and was ranked on the American Film Institute's "Top Ten Fantasy Movies."
5 Stretch — 88%
Patrick Wilson stars as a limousine chauffeur whose life is turned upside down when he picks up an enigmatic millionaire (Chris Pine) in the 2014 crime comedy Stretch. The movie is centered on the failed actor-turned-limo driver Kevin “Stretch” Brzyzowski as he struggles to pay off his gambling debt and ends up helping the wealthy Roger Karos (Pine) carry out his various errands, some of an illegal nature, with no questions asked. Stretch meets a slew of colorful criminals along his journey, and crosses paths with Hollywood actor Ray Liotta (playing himself), who enlists Stretch to return a prop pistol and badge to a movie studio.
Lauded for its quirky characters, sharp screenplay, and entertaining humor, Stretch was a hit among critics, with IGN calling it "a snowball of carnage and comedy" and commended Liotta as well as David Hassellhoff and Norman Reedus for their playful cameos, adding "these guys are all great sports, poking fun of themselves with no regret."
4 Something Wild — 91%
Jonathan Demme directed the 1986 action comedy Something Wild, enlisting the talents of Melanie Griffith, Jeff Daniels, and Ray Liotta to headline the uproarious flick that chronicles the offbeat romance between the free-spirited young woman Lulu (Griffith) and tightly-wound investment banker Charles Driggs (Daniels) as they share a passionate and fun love affair. The mismatched couple find their exciting relationship compromised when Lulu's violent and dangerous ex-convict husband Ray Sinclair (Liotta) comes back into the picture, wanting to reunite with his former flame.
Something Wild was Liotta's first major acting role. The comedy film was only his second screen credit, and ultimately helped him kick-off his illustrious and decorated career. He earned a Golden Globe nomination for his lively performance, and also won the Boston Society of Films Critics Awards for Best Supporting Actor, showing off his early talent and range as a leading man.
3 No Sudden Move — 92%
With a phenomenal ensemble cast including Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour, and Brendan Fraser, Steven Soderbergh's riveting 2021 crime thriller No Sudden Move focuses on a group of small-time Detroit criminals in 1954 as they are mysteriously drawn together to carry out a seemingly simple blackmail scheme that quickly spirals out of control. Gangsters Curt Goynes (Cheadle) and Ronald Russo (del Toro) set out to discover who hired them to partake in the botched plan, and during their dangerous investigation they meet mob leader Frank Capelli (Liotta) — violence and bloodshed ensues.
No Sudden Move premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and was a standout at the prestigious affair, with Soderbergh's master direction, the thriller's taut pacing, and exceptional performances earning rave reviews. Upon its release on Max, the movie was viewed by an impressive 567,000 households during its first four days of streaming, becoming a hit with audiences.
2 Marriage Story — 95%
Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver portray a struggling and deeply unhappy married couple on the brink of divorce in the lauded 2019 drama Marriage Story. The movie follows successful theater director Charlie Barber as he and his actress wife Nicole find themselves on opposite sides of the country while engaging in a grueling and difficult separation, and attempting to remain as civil as they can for the sake of their young son Henry. Charlie considers having the brazen hot-shot New York lawyer Jay Marotta (Liotta) represent him. Marotta encourages him to play dirty in the divorce, but Charlie ultimately decides not to hire him in order to keep the peace.
Marriage Story provides a raw and devastating look at the aftermath and impact of divorce, and features brilliant performances by its lead stars, which also includes the additional talent of Laura Dern and Alan Alda. The drama received six Academy Award nominations (winning one) and was selected by both the American Film Institute and the National Board of Review as one of the best releases of the year.
1 Goodfellas — 96%
Ray Liotta skyrocketed to stardom when he appeared alongside Hollywood legends Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in Martin Scorsese's 1990 biographical crime drama masterpiece Goodfellas. Liotta portrays the central role of the film as American mobster and Lucchese crime family associate Henry Hill, with the engrossing picture chronicling the gangster's spectacular rise and fall from 1955 to 1980. The acclaimed classic is based on Nicholas Pileggi's nonfiction book Wiseguy, and the lead actors often consulted with the author to prepare for their roles; Liotta had read the book and found it fascinating, leading the actor to pursue a role in the film adaptation.
Liotta campaigned hard for the part of Hill, and despite Warner Bros. Pictures wanting a more prominent actor, Scorsese cast him after seeing him in Something Wild and being blown away by his raw talent. The celebrated crime drama was essential in paving the way for Liotta's illustrious career. Goodfellas earned six Academy Award nominations and won five British Academy Film Awards, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time and a trailblazing picture in the gangster genre.
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