Ray Liotta

File:Ray Liotta.gif

Ray Liotta

Ray Liotta (born Raymond Julian Vicimarli on December 18, 1954 in Newark, New Jersey) is an American actor. Liotta is well known for his roles in Field of Dreams, Goodfellas, Cop Land, and Blow.

Early life

Liotta was born in Newark, New Jersey of Scottish descent, and was adopted six months after birth by Alfred Liotta, the president of a local Democratic club, and Mary, an appointed township clerk. Both of his parents unsuccessfully ran for local office. Despite his surname, he is not of Italian descent;[1] his last name was changed to Liotta after his adoption. In 1973, he graduated from Union High School in Union, New Jersey, and in 1992, he was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Liotta studied acting at the University of Miami, where he performed at the university's highly-regarded Jerry Herman Ring Theatre.

Acting career

One of his earliest roles was as Joey Perrini on the daytime program Another World. He appeared on the show from 1978 to 1981. In 1987, he earned a Golden Globe nomination [2] for his portrayal of a volatile ex-con in Jonathan Demme's film Something Wild (1986). In 1990, Liotta portrayed real-life mobster Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's film Goodfellas, one of his most famous roles to date. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

In addition to his movie roles, Liotta provided the voice of Tommy Vercetti for the 2002 video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. He also narrated "Inside the Mafia" for the National Geographic Channel.

In 2005, Liotta had a memorable guest appearance on the television drama ER playing Charlie Metcalf in the episode Time of Death. The role earned him an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series." He starred in the 2006 CBS television series Smith, but the series was pulled from the schedule after only three episodes had aired.

Personal

Liotta married actress Michelle Grace in February 1997. They met on the set of the television movie The Rat Pack, in which Liotta played Frank Sinatra and Grace played Judy Campbell. Their daughter, Karsen, was born in December 1998. The couple divorced in 2004.Liotta currently resides in Pacific Palisades, California.

On February 17, 2007, Liotta was arrested in the Highlands of Pacific Palisades after crashing his Cadillac Escalade into two parked cars on Palisades Drive, approximately one-half mile from his residence on Chastain Parkway. He was charged with a misdemeanor DUI. Liotta was released on $15,000 bail and a court date will be planned for March, 2007. Liotta was alone in his car, and no one was injured in the crash.[3] [4]

Partial filmography

• Smokin' Aces (2007)
• In the Name of the King (2006)
• Revolver (2005 in film|2005)
• Control (direct-to-video movie 2004)
• Heineken (Advertising) (2004)
• Identity (2003)
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002) (voice of Tommy Vercetti)
• John Q (2002)
• Narc (2002)
• The Hire: Ticker (2001)
• Blow (2001)
• Hannibal (2001)
• Heartbreakers (2001)
• Muppets From Space (1999)
• The Rat Pack (1998) (TV)
• Cop Land (1997)
• Turbulence (1997)
• Operation Dumbo Drop (1995)
• No Escape (1994)
• Corrina, Corrina (1994)
• Unlawful Entry (1992)
• Goodfellas (1990)
• Field of Dreams (1989)
• Something Wild (1986)
• The Lonely Lady (1983)

External links

• Ray Liotta IMDB Entry
• Ray Liotta Notable Names Database Entry
• University of Miami: Famous Alumni.