The late actor Ray Liotta, star of films including Goodfellas and Field of Dreams, was posthumously presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Liotta passed away last May at the age of 67. Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, said in a statement: “Ray Liotta’s all-around career made him a triple threat and sadly his passing was devastating to the entertainment world. The characters he portrayed will always be etched in Hollywood’s film history.”
Liotta’s daughter, 24-year-old Karsen Liotta, accepted the star on his behalf, saying: “I’m so touched to be accepting this honor on behalf of my dad. I couldn’t be more proud of him. He was a one of a kind actor and the best friend, brother and father anyone could have asked for. I lucked out with you .. If you have a Ray in your life, you’re lucky. I love you so much. Thank you for your work and the imprint you left on me and all of those who love you. Everyone deserves a Ray in their life.”
Elizabeth Banks, who directed Liotta in one of his final projects, Cocaine Bear, and actor Taron Egerton (who starred with Liotta in Black Bird), spoke at the event in honor of their late colleague and friend. Banks said: “I always admired his acting, but I genuinely enjoyed him as a human. Although he’s known for playing tough guys, I found him to be charming and a little mischievous which made him charming as an actor and as a man, and truly perfect for ‘Cocaine Bear’ …When any actor of Ray’s caliber puts trust in you as a director, it’s a gift. But Ray gave me so much more. Ray’s respect for me as a director, as his boss on set, meant everything to me because if you can direct Henry Hill, you can do f––– anything in this town.” Said Egerton: “He was one of those rare artists that brought all of himself into his work, all of his intensity, all of his vulnerability and, in the case of our show, all of his love. I was deeply inspired by Ray, he was the epitome of an actor’s actor.”
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