As amazing as the whole scene was, Costner revealed that Liotta had no experience or skill as a ballplayer and the moment was just complete luck.
Iconic actor Ray Liotta passed away on May 26, 2022, and in the wake of his loss, his fellow actor Kevin Costner paid the perfect tribute to his longtime friend.
Costner, who co-starred with Liotta in the 1989 baseball-themed movie Field of Dreams, said he was "devastated" by Liotta's passing.
To honor his late co-star, Costner tweeted about Liotta's most iconic moment in the film. Liotta, who played the ghost of baseball legend Shoeless Joe Jackson, hits two perfect balls—one of which nearly hits Costner in the leg.
As amazing as the whole scene was, Costner revealed that Liotta had no experience or skill as a ballplayer and the moment was just complete luck.
“Devastated to hear the news of Ray Liotta’s passing,” the Oscar winner, 67, tweeted, alongside a clip from the 1989 movie. “While he leaves an incredible legacy, he’ll always be ‘Shoeless Joe Jackson’ in my heart. What happened that moment in the film was real. God gave us that stunt. Now God has Ray.”
Although its been years since we worked together, each time we crossed each other’s paths, you were always sincere, kind, gracious, and a loving gentleman. You will be sorely missed, Ray Liotta. Fly with the Angels you insanely talented human being. You touched my life. pic.twitter.com/0tACq6gVdi
— Giancarlo Esposito (@quiethandfilms) May 26, 2022
The Goodfellas star died in his sleep at age 67 while on location in the Dominican Republic, his rep confirmed, according to Us Weekly. Liotta was in the country filming Dangerous Waters, which also has stars like Eric Dane and Saffron Burrows acting in it.
Tributes poured in from his friends and former colleagues once the news of his death was out. “I am utterly shattered to hear this terrible news about my Ray,” tweeted Lorraine Bracco, who played the wife of Liotta’s character in Goodfellas. “I can be anywhere in the world & people will come up & tell me their favorite movie is Goodfellas. Then they always ask what was the best part of making that movie. My response has always been the same … Ray Liotta.”
Martin Scorsese, who directed the beloved mob movie, said he was “shocked” by the loss of the actor. “I’m absolutely shocked and devastated by the sudden, unexpected death of Ray Liotta,” he told PEOPLE in a statement.
Devastated to hear the news of Ray Liotta’s passing. While he leaves an incredible legacy, he’ll always be “Shoeless Joe Jackson” in my heart. What happened that moment in the film was real. God gave us that stunt. Now God has Ray. pic.twitter.com/JQmk1PsuSK
— Kevin Costner & MW (@modernwest) May 26, 2022
“He was so uniquely gifted, so adventurous, so courageous as an actor. … He absolutely amazed me, and I’ll always be proud of the work we did together on that picture.”
Liotta is survived by his 23-year-old daughter, Karsen Liotta, whom he shares with ex-wife Michelle Grace, and his fiancée, Jacy Nittolo. The Heartbreakers star and Nittolo got engaged in December 2020.
After their engagement, Liotta revealed that his daughter was actually the one who set him up with Nittolo, a former hairstylist. Karsen was at a party at the Nittolos’ home with her son Chazz when she said she wanted Nittolo to meet her father.
“She said, ‘I want you to go out with my dad, I think you’d be perfect for my dad,’” Ray recalled during a September 2021 appearance on Live With Kelly and Ryan. Liotta's fiancee initially wanted “nothing” to do with an actor, but given how they were meant to be, the duo soon hit it off. When the Shades of Blue alum announced his engagement to Nittolo, he called her “the love of my life.”
Rest in peace, Liotta!
References:
https://twitter.com/modernwest/status/1529924892564635654?
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Carlos Alvarez
