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Ray Liotta
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Born: Dec 18, 1955
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Intense is the word for Ray Liotta. He specializes in
psychopathic characters who hide behind a cultivated charm. Even
in his nice guy roles in Field of Dreams (1989) and
Operation Dumbo Drop (1995), you get the impression that
something is smoldering inside of him. Liotta is a very selective
actor, averaging less than one movie a year.
Ray Liotta studied acting at the University of Miami, where he
became friends with Stephen Bauer (Scarface, Thief of Hearts). He
spent his first years acting in TV: "Another World", a TV movie,
several short-lived series. He broke into movies with the black
comedy, Something Wild (1986), which garnered him rave
reviews. Originally unable to get a reading, he was recommended
for the part by Melanie Griffith (then married to Bauer).
He immediatly received offers to reprise his psycho role- but
refused them to avoid being type-cast. Instead, he made the
"little movies", Dominick & Eugene (which earned him standing as
an actor's actor) and Field of Dreams (1989) (whose
success still surprises him). When he heard
Martin Scorsese was casting GoodFellas, he lobbied hard
for the part of Henry Hill. The films success brought him wide
popularity and lead billing in future films (Article 99, Unlawful
Entry, Unforgettable).
click here to see him in action
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