Ray Liotta, the legendary actor who died in May 2022 at the age of 67, was posthumously awarded the 2,749th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday.

Liotta was widely known for his iconic acting in films like Goodfellas, Field of Dreams, and Hannibal.  

Liotta’s family members, including his daughter Karsen, who accepted the honor on her father’s behalf, were present when the star was unveiled. Elizabeth Banks and Taron Egerton, two well-known Liotta collaborators, were also present to celebrate the actor’s contribution to the movie business.

Despite the rain and chilly weather in Los Angeles, Karsen cheered the audience up with his humorous comments. She remembered her father and expressed her gratitude to her father’s fans and staff who continue to look up to her. 

The event was inspiring as Liotta’s fans and peers remembered the late actor’s extraordinary talent and contributions to the entertainment industry. Hill was considered one of his most important roles.  

“Thank you so much, Dad, for this rain,” Karsen joked on a wet and frigid Los Angeles day prior to reading a letter from Goodfellas filmmaker Martin Scorsese commemorating Liotta’s performance in the movie and his talents as an actor.

Scorsese praised Liotta’s acting skills in his letter and praised his outstanding performance in Goodfellas, which earned him critical acclaim and made him a well-known actor in Hollywood.

Liotta’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame commemorates his legacy as an actor and the impact he had on the film industry. His performances continue to inspire aspiring actors and entertain audiences around the world. 

Friends Pay Respects

Afterward, Karsen offered her own honors, stating, “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.”

She ended, “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.”

Liotta’s posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was not only a moment of remembrance for the actor, but a way for his peers to reflect on their time with him.  

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Liotta Colleagues

Actor Taron Egerton, who played Liotta’s son in the miniseries Black Bird, delivered a heartfelt speech at the ceremony. Although Egerton did not know Liotta for long, he said the time they spent together was “very important” to him.

Egerton shared how he was initially intimidated by Liotta when they first met but quickly learned that the actor’s greatest strength was his vulnerability and tenderness. According to Egerton, it was this side of Liotta that he first saw when they started filming Black Bird.

“When I first met Ray, I was, frankly, a bit scared of him,” he said, adding that one thing “that made him so extraordinary to watch was his unparalleled capacity for vulnerability and tenderness. It was this side of himself he first showed me when I stepped on the set of Black Bird to play his son two years ago.”

The young actor went on to say that his scenes with Liotta in Black Bird were the “best acting of my career” and that he owed that achievement to Liotta. He described the late actor as a rare artist who brought all of himself into his work, including his intensity, vulnerability, and love.

Egerton concluded his speech by saying that Liotta was the epitome of an actor’s actor who made everyone around him better.

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Recognizing His Contribution

Director Elizabeth Banks, who directed Liotta in Cocaine Bear, also paid tribute to the actor at the ceremony. Banks and Liotta first worked together on the 2011 film The Details, and she said she always admired his acting but also found him charming and mischievous.

Banks said that while Liotta was known for playing tough guys on screen, she saw a different side of him when they worked together. She added that Liotta’s charm and mischievousness made him interesting as both an actor and a man and made him the perfect fit for his role in Cocaine Bear.

She added, “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—ing anything in this town. I am very grateful Ray Liotta blessed my life, because I will carry the confidence he gave me forever.”

Cocaine Bear is currently in theaters. 

The Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony honoring Ray Liotta was an emotional tribute to an actor who touched the lives of many through his work. His colleagues and fans will continue to remember him for his incredible talent and the impact he had on the film industry.

Photo: EW