Ray Liotta was an American actor celebrated for his memorable roles, particularly in crime and drama films. He garnered early recognition for "Something Wild" (1986), earning a Golden Globe nomination. His iconic portrayals include Shoeless Joe Jackson in "Field of Dreams" (1989) and Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's acclaimed "Goodfellas" (1990). Liotta built a diverse filmography, featuring in movies such as "Unlawful Entry", "Cop Land", "Hannibal", "John Q", "Narc", "Identity", "Killing Them Softly", "The Place Beyond the Pines", and "Marriage Story", solidifying his status as a versatile and respected performer.
December 18, 1954: Ray Liotta's Birth
On December 18, 1954, Raymond Allen Liotta was born. He would later become a famous American actor known for roles in 'Goodfellas' and 'Field of Dreams'.
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1973: Graduation from Union High School
In 1973, Ray Liotta graduated from Union High School and was later inducted into the Union High School Hall of Fame.
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1978: Graduation from the University of Miami
In 1978, Ray Liotta graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting.
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1978: Move to New York City
In 1978, Ray Liotta moved to New York City after graduating from the University of Miami.
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1981: Departure from Another World
In 1981, Ray Liotta left the soap opera 'Another World' and moved to Los Angeles.
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1983: Film Debut
In 1983, Ray Liotta made his film debut in 'The Lonely Lady'.
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1985: Cocaine Bear Origin
In 1985, the true story that inspired 'Cocaine Bear' occurred, involving a bear ingesting cocaine.
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1986: Something Wild
In 1986, Ray Liotta gained attention for his role in the film 'Something Wild', earning him a Golden Globe nomination.
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1986: Something Wild and Golden Globe Nomination
In 1986, Ray Liotta's first major acting role in 'Something Wild' earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
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1989: Field of Dreams Role
In 1989, Ray Liotta played Shoeless Joe Jackson in 'Field of Dreams'.
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1989: Field of Dreams
In 1989, Ray Liotta played Shoeless Joe Jackson in the film 'Field of Dreams'.
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1990: Goodfellas Release
In 1990, Ray Liotta portrayed Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's 'Goodfellas'.
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1990: Goodfellas
In 1990, Ray Liotta portrayed Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese's film 'Goodfellas'.
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1992: Unlawful Entry Starring Role
In 1992, Ray Liotta starred in 'Unlawful Entry'.
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1992: Unlawful Entry
In 1992, Ray Liotta starred in the film 'Unlawful Entry'.
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1992: 1992
The film '1992' released in 2024. This is a posthumous role for actor Ray Liotta.
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1994: No Escape Leading Role
In 1994, Ray Liotta played a leading role in 'No Escape'.
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1995: Operation Dumbo Drop Starring Role
In 1995, Ray Liotta starred in 'Operation Dumbo Drop'.
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1996: Unforgettable Starring Role
In 1996, Ray Liotta starred in 'Unforgettable'.
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February 1997: Marriage to Michelle Grace
In February 1997, Ray Liotta married Michelle Grace after meeting at a baseball game.
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1997: Cop Land Critical Praise
In 1997, Ray Liotta earned critical praise for his role in James Mangold's 'Cop Land'.
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1998: Fake Horse Head Incident
In 1998, Nancy and Tina Sinatra sent Ray Liotta a fake horse's head after he played their father in 'The Rat Pack' following a previous decline to play the role.
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1998: The Rat Pack
In 1998, Ray Liotta portrayed Frank Sinatra in the TV film 'The Rat Pack', earning a Screen Actors Guild award nomination.
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1998: Phoenix Critical Praise
In 1998, Ray Liotta received critical praise for his performance in 'Phoenix'.
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1998: The Rat Pack
In 1998, Ray Liotta starred as Frank Sinatra in the television film 'The Rat Pack', earning him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.
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December 2001: Just Shoot Me! Appearance
In December 2001, Ray Liotta starred as himself in the sitcom 'Just Shoot Me!'.
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2001: Hannibal and Blow Films
In 2001, Ray Liotta played Paul Krendler in 'Hannibal' and the father of George Jung in 'Blow'.
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October 2002: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Voice Role
In October 2002, Ray Liotta voiced Tommy Vercetti in the video game 'Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'.
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2002: Narc and Independent Spirit Award Nomination
In 2002, Ray Liotta appeared in 'Narc', earning an Independent Spirit Award nomination.
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2002: John Q and Narc
In 2002, Ray Liotta appeared in the films 'John Q' and 'Narc'.
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2002: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
In 2002, Ray Liotta voiced Tommy Vercetti in the video game 'Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'.
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2003: Identity Film
In 2003, Ray Liotta reunited with James Mangold in the film 'Identity'.
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2004: Divorce from Michelle Grace
In 2004, Ray Liotta and Michelle Grace divorced amicably.
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2004: ER Television Drama
In 2004, Ray Liotta appeared in the television drama ER, playing Charlie Metcalf in the episode 'Time of Death'.
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2004: Broadway Debut in Match
In 2004, Ray Liotta made his Broadway debut in the play 'Match'.
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2005: Inside the Mafia Narration
In 2005, Ray Liotta narrated 'Inside the Mafia' for the National Geographic Channel.
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2005: Emmy Award for ER
In 2005, Ray Liotta won a Primetime Emmy Award for his guest role in the television series ER.
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2006: Smokin' Aces
In 2006, Ray Liotta appeared in 'Smokin' Aces', reuniting with the director of 'Narc'.
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2006: CBS Smith series
In 2006, Ray Liotta starred in the CBS television series Smith, which was quickly cancelled.
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February 2007: DUI Charge
In February 2007, Ray Liotta was charged with driving under the influence after a car accident.
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2007: Wild Hogs and Battle in Seattle
In 2007, Ray Liotta appeared in the film 'Wild Hogs' and 'Battle in Seattle'.
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2008: Hero Wanted and SpongeBob SquarePants
In 2008, Ray Liotta starred in 'Hero Wanted' and made a guest appearance on 'SpongeBob SquarePants'.
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2009: Crossing Over and Observe and Report
In 2009, Ray Liotta appeared in 'Crossing Over' and 'Observe and Report'.
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2011: The Son of No One
In 2011, Ray Liotta starred in 'The Son of No One'.
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2012: Killing Them Softly and The Iceman
In 2012, Ray Liotta appeared in the films 'Killing Them Softly' and 'The Iceman'.
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2012: Killing Them Softly and The Place Beyond the Pines
In 2012, Ray Liotta appeared in the films 'Killing Them Softly' and 'The Place Beyond the Pines'.
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2012: Phineas and Ferb
In 2012, Ray Liotta had a voice role in the "What a Croc!" episode of the Disney Channel series Phineas and Ferb.
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September 2014: Horseback Riding Hobby
In September 2014, Ray Liotta expressed his newfound passion for horseback riding, which started during the filming of Texas Rising.
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2014: Muppets Most Wanted Supporting Role
In 2014, Ray Liotta had a supporting role in 'Muppets Most Wanted'.
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2014: The Identical, Kill the Messenger, Stretch
In 2014, Ray Liotta played a preacher in the faith-based film The Identical and appeared in Kill the Messenger and Stretch.
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2015: Texas Rising
In 2015, Ray Liotta starred as Lorca in the miniseries 'Texas Rising', earning him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.
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2015: Texas Rising Miniseries
In 2015, Ray Liotta starred in the Western miniseries Texas Rising and earned a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.
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2016: Shades of Blue
From 2016, Ray Liotta starred in Shades of Blue alongside Jennifer Lopez.
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2016: Shades of Blue
From 2016, Ray Liotta starred in the series 'Shades of Blue', continuing through 2018.
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May 2017: Induction into New Jersey Hall of Fame
In May 2017, Ray Liotta was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
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2018: Chantix Spokesperson
In 2018, Ray Liotta became a spokesperson for Pfizer's Chantix advertising campaign.
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2018: Discussing his role
In 2018, Ray Liotta was discussing his role in the NBC crime drama Shades of Blue.
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2018: Shades of Blue
Ray Liotta starred in the series 'Shades of Blue' until 2018.
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2019: Marriage Story Role
In 2019, Ray Liotta appeared in Noah Baumbach's film Marriage Story.
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2019: Marriage Story
In 2019, Ray Liotta appeared in the film 'Marriage Story'.
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2021: The Many Saints of Newark
In 2021, Ray Liotta played twin brothers in The Many Saints of Newark, a prequel to The Sopranos.
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May 26, 2022: Ray Liotta's Death
On May 26, 2022, Ray Liotta passed away, marking the end of his life.
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2022: Posthumous Recognition
Following his death in 2022, Ray Liotta received posthumous recognition.
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2022: Black Bird and Posthumous Emmy Nomination
In 2022, Ray Liotta starred in 'Black Bird' and received a posthumous Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his role as Big Jim Keene.
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2022: Heritage Tree
In 2022, after filming Cocaine Bear, Ray Liotta stated that he discovered he mostly has Irish ancestry.
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February 2023: Cocaine Bear Release
In February 2023, the movie Cocaine Bear, dedicated to Ray Liotta's memory, was released in theaters.
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February 24, 2023: Hollywood Walk of Fame
On February 24, 2023, Ray Liotta was posthumously recognized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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2023: Autopsy Report Release
An autopsy report released in 2023 concluded that Ray Liotta's cause of death was respiratory failure, pulmonary edema, and heart failure.
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2024: 1992
In 2024, the film '1992', in which Ray Liotta appeared, was released posthumously.
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