Top 10 Ray Liotta Performances
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“The Place Beyond the Pines” (2012) In this crime drama, Ray Liotta plays a police officer who is as corrupt as they come. Although his screen time is limited, he still makes a memorable appearance. His character plays by his own rules and it’s either his way or the highway. In fact, his mere presence around others is menacing and inspires fear. Director and writer Derek Cianfrance revealed that the part was written specifically for Liotta, and his performance shows why he was a perfect fit. While often known for exuding charm in his roles, he doesn’t do so here and makes for a cop we would never want to come across.
#9: Samuel Rhodes
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“Identity” (2003) In this physiological thriller, things are not what they seem, as this especially holds true for Liotta’s character, Samuel Rhodes. A correctional officer who finds himself stranded with nine other strangers at a motel during a rainstorm, initially there’s nothing about him that seems too out of the ordinary, say for some occasional outbursts. Only…he’s not actually a correctional officer. Turns out, he’s a convict pretending to be one. He had everyone fooled, and it’s an unexpected twist that no one, not even the audience, sees coming. After the shocking revelation, we see his true colors, and boy is it chilling. The fact that he was acting normal beforehand only makes the performance even scarier. Liotta’s disturbing turn as this master of disguise is one of the reasons why this underrated flick deserves a watch.
#8: Henry Oak
“Narc” (2002) If there’s something that Ray Liotta knows how to do, it’s to play controversial figures of law, although this one seems to have good intentions. In “Narc” we see him play Henry Oak, a police officer seemingly willing to go to deep and often unethical lengths to get what he wants and solve the case behind the death of a fellow cop. Whether he’s on or off the job, there never seems to be a dull moment whenever lieutenant Oak is on-screen. The film is dark, gritty and entertaining, and a key contributor to that is Liotta’s performance.
#7: Fred Jung
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“Blow” (2001) Playing the father of lead actor Johnny Depp’s George Jung, Liotta gives the character depth and makes him someone that viewers can sympathize with. Despite being strong willed, kind and hard-working, he still faces financial hardships and struggles to make ends meet. But with all of that, he remains true to himself and continues to be a strong role model for George. Even despite knowing that his son is working in the drug business, he still loves him all the same. In “Blow”, Liotta practically writes a playbook on how to play a loving and caring father.
#6: Jay Marotta
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“Marriage Story” (2019) So we’ve seen how electrifying Liotta can be playing a police officer, now try picturing him using that same energy to play a lawyer. As Charlie Barber’s attorney, he has a no nonsense approach to divorce and he is the epitome of being a straight shooter. In the courtroom, he is fierce, always having a response and counter in his arsenal ready for any of the arguments presented against his client. In “Marriage Story”, Liotta once again proves that even with very little screen time, he can still have an impact and leave his mark.
#5: Charlie Metcalf
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“E.R.” (1994-2009) In a guest-star appearance in the season 11 episode “Time and Death”, Liotta’s turn as a hospital patient is mesmerizing. The focus remains solely on Liotta’s character Charlie throughout the episode’s runtime as he’s being treated by doctors. We see him go through all the motions in a matter of life and death, as both the doctors and viewers are there for the whole tragic and heartbreaking ride. What’s most impressive is that Liotta’s personality goes through a dramatic progressive transformation, going from being initially stubborn and reluctant to aid to being absolutely heartbroken and hopeless. Liotta puts on a masterclass without skipping a beat the entirety of the episode. It’s no surprise that he went on to nab an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama series in 2005.
#4: Gary Figgis
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“Cop Land” (1997) Being a cop ain’t easy, and Liotta shows it. As a police officer who lives in a town filled with corruption amongst its ranks, which he actively participates in, Liotta demonstrates the psychological toll it has taken on him. He brings emotion, aggression and energy to the role, and shows why no one should ever push his character’s buttons. Luckily, he proves to be a worthy ally to Sylvester Stallone’s character Freddy Heflin, and even goes on to save the latter’s life during the film’s climax. Even in a supporting role acting alongside Hollywood heavyweights including Stallone, Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel, Liotta still finds a way to shine.
#3: “Shoeless” Joe Jackson
“Field of Dreams” (1989) Playing this disgraced baseball legend requires a certain level of skill, and Liotta was up to task. As Jackson, Liotta makes his presence felt in the film. The shame and honesty he feels can be sensed by viewers and whenever he speaks about his love for the game, fan of baseball or not, one can’t help but get goosebumps. “Field of Dreams” is often considered an iconic piece of cinematic history, and Liotta’s is a driving force behind the film’s magic. The portrayal will have sports fans and movie goers alike yelling “Say it ain’t so Joe”!
#2: Ray Sinclair
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“Something Wild” (1986) If we were to ever do a list on top 10 worst movie husbands, we’d be sure to include Ray Sinclair on it. He’s as despicable as they come; he’s obnoxious, abhorrent and violent, and Liotta embodies these traits to a tee and puts them on full display during the scenes that he is present in. But his determination to get in the way of protagonist Charlie Diggs and his love interest Lulu is somewhat admirable, and shows Liotta’s versatility and strong ability to play a charismatic foil and antagonist. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture in 1987 for his efforts.
#1: Henry Hill
“Goodfellas” (1990) Arguably his most popular role, Liotta shines as an up and coming and later established mobster in this Scorsese classic. While every aspect of the movie keeps viewers’ eyes glued to the screen, it’s ultimately Liotta’s charm and persona while portraying Hill that entertains us throughout. He’s easy to root for and fun to watch, and all of this despite playing a criminal. Being a mobster never looked so fun and cool, and while many actors’ portrayals of mafia characters have been considered iconic, Liotta’s is right up there among the greats and one no one will forget it anytime soon.
