Ray Liotta (full name Raymond Allen) is an American actor who gained wide popularity in the 90s of the last century. The audience knows him for his films: "Wild Thing", "Nice Guys", "Hannibal", "Identity", "Revolver". The actor was nominated for awards: Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild of the USA, MTV, Independent Spirit. He received an Emmy for his role in the acclaimed TV series Ambulance.
Ray's creative biography includes more than a hundred film roles. The actor has most often appeared in action films, thrillers, detective stories and crime dramas, but there are also several comedic characters in his career. He has also done voice acting for cartoons and video games.
Biography facts
The boy was born in New Jersey, in the winter of 1954. The child was adopted by an Italian family when Ray was several months old. The adoptive parents gave the child the name Raymond Allen Liotta (nee - Raymond Julian Witsimarli). Ray found out very early that he was adopted. But this did not prevent him from treating his foster parents well, who gave the child a full-fledged upbringing and loved him very much.
Already in adulthood, Ray found his biological mother and sibling. He learned that he has Scottish roots and that he has five half-sisters and a half-brother.
From childhood, Ray was fond of sports and was even going to become a professional athlete. But the boy's plans changed when he first began participating in school theater productions. Creativity so captured the young man that after graduating from school he entered the university at the department of dramatic art.
On the student stage, Ray played several roles, but did not want to connect his fate with the theater. He was attracted by the cinema. Therefore, having received a diploma, he went to New York to start trying himself in the role of a film actor.
Film career
Ray made his television debut in Underworld, in which he starred for three seasons. Then the young actor took part in two more series: "Saint-Elswehr" and "Casablanca". And also appeared in the films "Crazy Times" and "Lonely Lady".
The role of Ray Sinclair in the film "Wild Thing" became successful for the actor. The film won three Golden Globe awards at once, one of which went to Ray in the Best Supporting Actor category.
World recognition came to Ray after filming in the film by the famous director Martin Scorsese "Goodfellas". The film, which tells the story of a young man who dreams of becoming a gangster, won several Oscars and became a cult classic. The actor played the main role in the film - a character named Henry Hill.
After the release of the film, Ray was instantly bombarded with new proposals from well-known directors and producers. He soon became one of the most successful actors in Hollywood.
Over the course of several years, Ray's creative biography was replenished with such films as: "Illegal Invasion", "Escape Impossible", "Corrina, Corrina", "Turbulence", "Unforgettable", "Operation Elephant". He also starred in the TV series: "Ambulance", "Fashion Magazine". Took part in the dubbing of the characters in the cartoon Family Guy and SpongeBob Squarepants.
In the 2000s, the actor continued to work in new projects with great success. Films with his participation appeared on the screens: "Drug Lord", "Hannibal", "Identification", "Revolver", "Trump Aces", "Battle in Seattle", "Sin City 2", "Kill the Messenger", "Come with Me ".
Since 2016, Liotta has starred in Shades of Blue, Great News and Sheldon's Childhood. And also in the film "Notes from Paradise".
In 2019-2020, it is planned to release several films at once with the participation of the actor.
Personal life
Little is known about the actor's personal and family life. In the 80s, he dated Heidi Von Balts, but it did not come to marriage.
Actress Michelle Grace became his wife in 1997. A year later, the couple had a daughter, Carsen. In 2004, the couple announced their divorce.
After the divorce, Ray had a romantic relationship with Katherine Hickland for several years. To date, the actor is not married and enjoys his freedom.
