Martin Scorsese 'Devastated' By Ray Liotta's Death After He Helped Launch His Career

Martin Scorsese, who gave Ray Liotta his breakout role as Henry Hill in Goodfellas, has said he was 'devastated' by his friend's death.

Yesterday (26 May), news of Liotta's sudden passing was announced. He was 67 years old.

The iconic New Jersey actor is said to have died in his sleep late Wednesday/early Thursday while in the Dominican Republic for his new film Dangerous Waters.

Now, fans, friends and family have paid tribute to the star, including Scorsese.

The Oscar-winning director said of his friend: "I’m absolutely shocked and devastated by the sudden, unexpected death of Ray Liotta. He was so uniquely gifted, so adventurous, so courageous as an actor.

"Playing Henry Hill in Goodfellas was a tall order, because the character had so many different facets, so many complicated layers, and Ray was in almost every scene of a long, tough shoot.

"He absolutely amazed me, and I’ll always be proud of the work we did together on that picture. My heart goes out to his loved ones, and it aches for his loss, way too early."

Robert De Niro, who starred opposite Liotta in Goodfellas, said: "I was very saddened to learn of Ray's passing. He is way too way young to have left us."

While Lorraine Bracco, Liotta's on-screen wife in the 1990 movie, said: "I can be anywhere in the world and people will come up & tell me their favorite movie is Goodfellas. Then they always ask what was the best part of making that movie. My response has always been the same…Ray Liotta."

Other former co-stars and friends paid tribute to the legend, with Seth Rogen saying of the actor: "I can’t believe Ray Liotta has passed away. He was such a lovely, talented and hilarious person.

"Working with him was one of the great joys of my career and we made some of my favorite scenes I ever got to be in. A true legend of immense skill and grace."

Liotta and Rogen worked together on the 2009 comedy Observe and Report.

Liotta's film career spanned decades and saw him nominated and win numerous awards, including a Primetime Emmy and the Independent Spirit Robert Altman Award.

He was most well known for his role in Goodfellas but found success with his most recent projects too, including Marriage Story (2019), No Sudden Move (2021) and The Many Saints of Newark (2021).

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677