From left: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Paul Sorvino and Joe Pesci in ‘Goodfellas’.Photo: Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty
Based on Nicholas Pileggi’s book Wiseguy,Goodfellas(1990) tells the story of real-life Henry Hill, an associate with the mob in his New York City neighborhood who ended up working alongside some heavy hitters before becoming an FBI informant so he didn’t end up sleeping with the fishes.DirectorMartin Scorseseadapted Pileggi’s book with the author himself, crafting what theAmerican Film Instituteranked as the second greatest gangster film of all time behindThe Godfather(1972).Longtime Scorsese collaboratorRobert De Nirostarred as mobster Jimmy Conway, who — along withRay Liottaas Henry Hill andJoe Pesciplaying fellow delinquent Tommy DeVito — helped the film become a modest box office success, critically acclaimed and up for all sorts of awards including Best Picture at theAcademy Awards.Below, see what the cast ofGoodfellasis up to today.
Based on Nicholas Pileggi’s book Wiseguy,Goodfellas(1990) tells the story of real-life Henry Hill, an associate with the mob in his New York City neighborhood who ended up working alongside some heavy hitters before becoming an FBI informant so he didn’t end up sleeping with the fishes.
DirectorMartin Scorseseadapted Pileggi’s book with the author himself, crafting what theAmerican Film Instituteranked as the second greatest gangster film of all time behindThe Godfather(1972).
Longtime Scorsese collaboratorRobert De Nirostarred as mobster Jimmy Conway, who — along withRay Liottaas Henry Hill andJoe Pesciplaying fellow delinquent Tommy DeVito — helped the film become a modest box office success, critically acclaimed and up for all sorts of awards including Best Picture at theAcademy Awards.
Below, see what the cast ofGoodfellasis up to today.
01of 09Ray Liotta as Henry HillWarner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Jamie McCarthy/GettyLiotta found his breakout role as mobster protagonist and FBI informant Henry Hill in 1990’sGoodfellas, one year after appearing as “Shoeless” Joe Jackson inField of Dreams.The Emmy-winner fully went to the other side with his subsequent roles, playing cops and FBI agents in the likes ofCop Land,Hannibal,John Q,Identity,Smokin' AcesandObserve and Report. One of his last roles was on HBO’sSopranosprequelThe Many Saints of Newark.Liottadied in his sleepat age 67 while filming the movieDangerous Watersin the Dominican Republic in May 2022.
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Ray Liotta as Henry Hill
Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Liotta found his breakout role as mobster protagonist and FBI informant Henry Hill in 1990’sGoodfellas, one year after appearing as “Shoeless” Joe Jackson inField of Dreams.
The Emmy-winner fully went to the other side with his subsequent roles, playing cops and FBI agents in the likes ofCop Land,Hannibal,John Q,Identity,Smokin' AcesandObserve and Report. One of his last roles was on HBO’sSopranosprequelThe Many Saints of Newark.
Liottadied in his sleepat age 67 while filming the movieDangerous Watersin the Dominican Republic in May 2022.
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Lorraine Bracco as Karen Hill
Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Arturo Holmes/Getty
Lorraine Bracco, who alsostarred onThe Sopranosas Tony Soprano’s therapist Jennifer Melfi, played mob wife Karen Hill inGoodfellas, earning herself an Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress.
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Robert De Niro as Jimmy Conway
Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; Gabe Ginsberg/WireImage
Goodfellaswas De Niro’s sixth collaboration with Scorsese, whose other mafia crime epicThe Godfather: Part IIhelped cement the actor’s legacy as one of the greatest film stars of his generation, per critics. SinceGoodfellas, he’s appeared in dozens of acclaimed films, includingCape Fear,Stardust, The Irishman, Meet the ParentsandSilver Linings Playbook.
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Samuel L. Jackson as Stacks Edwards
Warner Bros. Pictures; Amy Sussman/Getty
Since his bit part in the Scorsese classic, Jackson has fused himself with the very meaning of American film with performances inPulp Fiction, A Time to Kill, The Hateful Eight, Django Unchained —the list goes on. While he’s never received an Oscar for any of his many beloved roles, he received an honorary Academy Award in 2022.
05of 09Michael Imperioli as SpiderWarner Bros. Pictures; Vivien Killilea/GettyAside from his infamous character Christopher “CHRISTOPHAAA” Moltisanti on HBO’sThe Sopranos, the Emmy-winningMichael Imperioliis arguably most well-known for his spot as Spider inGoodfellas. Considered the actor’s big break, his performance as the less-than-bright Spider earned him the respect of De Niro and a chance to work alongside some of the industry’s most important names.In the years sinceGoodfellas, Imperioli has stayed active in the arts, serving as artistic director of Studio Dante, an Off-Broadway theater he founded with his wife, Victoria Imperioli. Michael is also known for his music, acting as vocalist and guitarist for the band Zopa. The Italian-American icon still acts andwas cast in a leading roleon the second season of HBO’sThe White Lotus.
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Michael Imperioli as Spider
Warner Bros. Pictures; Vivien Killilea/Getty
Aside from his infamous character Christopher “CHRISTOPHAAA” Moltisanti on HBO’sThe Sopranos, the Emmy-winningMichael Imperioliis arguably most well-known for his spot as Spider inGoodfellas. Considered the actor’s big break, his performance as the less-than-bright Spider earned him the respect of De Niro and a chance to work alongside some of the industry’s most important names.
In the years sinceGoodfellas, Imperioli has stayed active in the arts, serving as artistic director of Studio Dante, an Off-Broadway theater he founded with his wife, Victoria Imperioli. Michael is also known for his music, acting as vocalist and guitarist for the band Zopa. The Italian-American icon still acts andwas cast in a leading roleon the second season of HBO’sThe White Lotus.
06of 09Debi Mazar as SandyEverett; Araya Doheny/GettyDebi Mazarcarved out a name for herself as the sharp-tongued mafia mistress Sandy inGoodfellas, a breakthrough role that set her acting career in motion.AfterGoodfellas, the dancer and actress went on to score supporting roles inBatman Forever, The Doors, Bullets Over Broadwayand more recently, as Maggie Amato in the television seriesYounger. Like some of her fellowGoodfellasalum, Mazar has also turned her love for cooking into passion projects, notably on the Cooking Channel’s reality seriesExtra Virginwith husband Gabriele Corcos and their two daughters.
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Debi Mazar as Sandy
Everett; Araya Doheny/Getty
Debi Mazarcarved out a name for herself as the sharp-tongued mafia mistress Sandy inGoodfellas, a breakthrough role that set her acting career in motion.
AfterGoodfellas, the dancer and actress went on to score supporting roles inBatman Forever, The Doors, Bullets Over Broadwayand more recently, as Maggie Amato in the television seriesYounger. Like some of her fellowGoodfellasalum, Mazar has also turned her love for cooking into passion projects, notably on the Cooking Channel’s reality seriesExtra Virginwith husband Gabriele Corcos and their two daughters.
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Paul Sorvino as Paulie Cicero
The character actor has since gone onto roles inThe Rocketeer,The Firm,Law & Order,Star Trek: The Next Generation,Romeo + Juliet,Repo! The Genetic Opera,Rules Don’t Applyand a long list of other films.
08of 09Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVitoWarner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; George Pimentel/FilmMagicKnown for playing tough guys, often alongside the likes of De Niro and other greats, Pesci played mobster Timmy DeVito inGoodfellas, a career-defining performance for which he later won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.Also a Scorsese regular, Pesci reunited with the director and De Niro for hisGoodfellasrole roughly a decade after starring inRaging Bull,which launched his career. Today, the legendary Italian-American and Newark, New Jersey, native keeps a low profile after retiring from acting in 1999, but has appeared in the equally legendaryCasino,Home Alone, The IrishmanandMy Cousin Vinny.
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Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito
Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; George Pimentel/FilmMagic
Known for playing tough guys, often alongside the likes of De Niro and other greats, Pesci played mobster Timmy DeVito inGoodfellas, a career-defining performance for which he later won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Also a Scorsese regular, Pesci reunited with the director and De Niro for hisGoodfellasrole roughly a decade after starring inRaging Bull,which launched his career. Today, the legendary Italian-American and Newark, New Jersey, native keeps a low profile after retiring from acting in 1999, but has appeared in the equally legendaryCasino,Home Alone, The IrishmanandMy Cousin Vinny.
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Frank Vincent as Billy Batts
Warner Bros. Pictures; Mychal Watts/Getty
The New Jersey native was mostly typecast as a mobster, also starring in films likeJungle Fever, CasinoandSpike Lee’sDo the Right Thing. Hesuffered a heart attack and diedat age 78 following open heart surgery in 2017, leaving behind a legacy of memorable, cigar-smoking wise guys.
source: people.com
