Robert De Niro leads celebrity tributes for Ray Liotta

As Hollywood mourns, Ray Liotta’s Goodfellas co-stars are leading the celebrity tributes for an actor who was “way too young to have left us”.

Celebrities including Jamie Lee Curtis, Kristin Chenoweth, and Piers Morgan flooded social media to honour Ray Liotta’s memory after the Goodfellas actor died at the age of 67.

Liotta died in his sleep while filming a movie in the Dominican Republic, according to reports on Thursday. His cause of death was not immediately known.

His Goodfellas co-stars led the tributes, with Robert De Niro telling The Hollywood Reporter: “I was very saddened to learn of Ray’s passing. He is way too way young to have left us. May he rest in peace.”

Lorraine Bracco, who also appeared with Liotta in Goodfellas, shared that she was “utterly shattered” when she heard the news of his passing, Page Six reports.

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Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in Goodfellas. Picture: Supplied

“I am utterly shattered to hear this terrible news about my Ray. I can be anywhere in the world and people will come up and tell me their favourite movie is Goodfellas,” she tweeted along with a throwback photo with him. “Then they always ask what was the best part of making that movie. My response has always been the same … Ray Liotta.”

Seth Rogen, who worked with Liotta in the 2009 movie Observe And Report, was also in disbelief to hear that Liotta died, sharing that he was “a lovely, talented and hilarious person”.

“Working with him was one of the great joys of my career and we made some of my favourite scenes I ever got to be in. A true legend of immense skill and grace,” Rogen tweeted.

Jamie Lee Curtis shared how Liotta’s sweet character made his acting career an inspiration, tweeting: “Ray Liotta has died. His work as an actor showed his complexity as a human being. A gentle man. So sad to hear.”

Celebs are today mourning Ray Liotta: ‘A gentle man.’ Picture: AFP

Viola Davis also shared her admiration for the actor, writing: “Loved your work️”

And Kristin Chenoweth mourned her good friend, saying: “I adored you. I love knowing you all those years ago.”

Devon Sawa reflected on how Liotta was the reason behind Goodfellas movie success, tweeting, “I try not to do the RIPs but Ray Liotta was truly one of my favourites to watch. He just has this magnetic draw to his performances, which is part of the reason Goodfellas remains tied with Aliens as my favourite film(s) ever made.”

Rosanna Arquette shared that Liotta was “an old friend” and that she was heartbroken over his death.

“I’m really sad to hear that Ray Liotta has passed away. He was an [sic] friend back in the day and it’s very sad. We had a lot of laughs. Rest in peace my friend,” she tweeted.

Piers Morgan added that Liotta’s passing was “sad news” and that he was a “brilliant actor” who he loved in Goodfellas.

Robert De Niro (right) said of his former co-star (left): ‘He is way too way young to have left us.’ Picture: AP

Writer David Zuckerman shared some of his cherished memories or working with Liotta over the years.

“I’ll never forget how terrifying #rayliotta was in Something Wild, the first time I’d seen him,” he said. “Years later I directed him on Family Guy and he was so sweet, almost shy. A magnificent actor. RIP.”

Director James Mangold shared that he was “shocked and saddened” to hear of Liotta’s passing.

“Beyond the tough guy exterior and the tightly wound emotions of his signature characters, he was a sweet, playful and passionate collaborator and brilliant actor. RIP,” he tweeted along with an old photo of the duo chatting at an event.

Jeffrey Wright reflected on getting to meet Liotta for the first time last year, tweeting, “Ray Liotta. Man. Just met dude for the first time last year. GREAT actor. Nice to have had a chance to say that to him. RIP.”

This article originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission

Originally published as Robert De Niro leads celebrity tributes for Ray Liotta