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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 Italian-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. His last name was changed to Liotta after being adopted. 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 [1] 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 Scorcese'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 videogame 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 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.

Trivia

• In Field of Dreams, Liotta played the left-handed hitting Shoeless Joe Jackson. Because Liotta himself is a right-handed hitter, the character appears as a right-handed hitter in the film.

• Ray Liotta is a fan of the English football team Arsenal F.C. He was even guest of honour at an Arsenal match in the 2005-2006 season.

Partial filmography

• Smokin' Aces (2007)
• In the Name of the King (2006)
• Revolver (2005)
• Control (direct-to-video movie 2004)
• Heineken (Advert) (2004)
• Identity (2003)
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002) (voice)
• John Q (2002)
• Narc (2002)
• The Hire: Ticker (2001)
• Blow (2001)
• Hannibal (2001)
• Heartbreakers (2001)
• 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 video clip from Goodfellas.
• University of Miami: Famous Alumni.

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