Ray Liotta, the iconic actor known for his roles in films such as Goodfellas, and Field of Dreams has unfortunately passed away aged 67. He is also known to gamers for his role as Billy Handsome in Call of Duty: Black Ops II and as the main protagonist in Grand Theft Auto Vice City, Tommy Vercetti.
Liotta was in the Dominican Republic filming his new movie Dangerous Waters. According to Deadline he passed away in his sleep whilst there. He leaves behind his fiance Jacy Nittolo as well as his daughter from his marriage with Michelle Grace, Karsen.
Ray Liotta And Video Games
Ray Liotta will be known to many for his great film roles but his performance as Tommy Vercetti is still one people talk about when it comes to celebrities in games. Back in 2002, when GTA Vice City was released, it wasn’t that common to have Hollywood actors in games.
When Liotta was interviewed by IGN back then he had a lot of positive things to say about the experience of voicing Tommy.
“It was actually a lot of fun. There’s great people on this one and I did my homework with it. I know it’s a pretty intense game”
He was also keen to make it clear that voice work is by no means easy.
“No, it’s not a cakewalk, no way.” he said in the same interview with IGN. “Because, you know, you want it to seem real. It’s a great challenge. You’re creating a character that’s not there before. I’m the player, so you see my guy, but it’s kind of like I’m you or you’re me.”
“You’re making me move and then talking to [this character] or you make a left [turn in the game] — it’s just so unbelievable. It’s so intensive. What makes the game, aside from the graphics, is that if you make a left hand turn or you go into a car there’s one scenario that happens.“
“If you make a right hand turn, there’s a whole other different thing. If I talk to one guy I’ll be talkin’ one way and if somebody else shows up and you choose to talk to somebody else, it’s a whole other different thing. The scenarios that go on, it’s exhausting.”
We recommend reading the full interview as it’s a great insight into Ray and the role that is so memorable to a lot of people.
Our condolences go out to his friends and family during this difficult time.
