Ray Liotta Reveals the Four Roles That Defined His Career
Ray Liotta looks back on his most memorable performances, from his legendary turn in Goodfellas to unexpected favorites like Narc and Muppets Most Wanted.
“As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a gangster.” With those words, Henry Hill opens Martin Scorsese’s legendary crime saga, and for many, it was their first real encounter with Ray Liotta. His portrayal of Hill in Goodfellas was so authentic, it felt like he was born for the role. Although Liotta had already appeared on screen years earlier in The Lonely Lady, this was the part that truly put him on the map. It’s no wonder he singled it out as one of his most significant performances, even if he claimed not to play favorites. During a Reddit ‘AMA,’ he admitted it was a role that “stands out.”
Goodfellas: The Breakthrough
Liotta was determined to land the part of Henry Hill, and Scorsese met with him years before the film hit theaters to discuss the possibility. At the time, Liotta wasn’t a household name, and the studio was hesitant to cast someone without major star power. Despite the initial doubts, everything fell into place, and Liotta’s performance earned widespread praise. Reflecting on his career, he couldn’t help but mention this defining moment, writing,
“Obviously Henry in Goodfellas.”
Narc: A Gritty Favorite
Another film that stood out for Liotta was Narc, where he played a detective on the hunt for a cop killer. Directed by Joe Carnahan, this neo- noir thriller received critical acclaim, and Liotta’s work earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Male at the Independent Spirit Awards. Made on a modest $6 million budget, Narc may not have been a box office juggernaut, but Liotta looked back on it with pride, appreciating the depth and challenge the role offered.
The Identical and Muppets Most Wanted: Unlikely Highlights
Liotta also mentioned The Identical, a musical drama about twins separated at birth, one of whom becomes a rock ‘n’ roll star. Despite the film’s poor reception and box office failure, Liotta was still proud of his work, even if the project itself left many scratching their heads.
On a lighter note, he fondly recalled his time on Muppets Most Wanted. Playing Big Papa, an inmate, Liotta got to share the screen with Kermit and the rest of the Muppets crew. He described the experience as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, writing,
“Dancing with Kermit and everybody in Muppets Most Wanted, singing and dancing with Danny Trejo and The Muppets is a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
While it wasn’t a major role, the chance to join the Muppets for some musical fun was more than enough for him.