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What ethnicity is Ray Liotta? Is Ray Liotta actually Italian? What is Ray Liotta’s real name?

Author

Christopher Martinez

Published Jan 06, 2026

Ray Liotta was an outstanding American actor and producer who rose to fame for his excellent portrayal of Henry Hill in Goodfellas as well as Tommy Vercetti in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. 

Raymond Allen Liotta was born on December 18, 1954, in Newark, New Jersey, United States. He was adopted at the age of six months by Alfred Liotta and Mary Liotta. Mary was a township clerk while Alfred was an auto-parts store owner, personnel director and president of a local Democratic Party club.

Ray Liotta graduated from Union High School in 1973 before proceeding to study acting at the University of Miami, where he received a BFA in 1978. He made his film debut in 1983’s The Lonely Lady. He has since appeared in Unlawful Entry (1992), Cop Land (1997), Hannibal (2001), Blow (2001), John Q (2002), Identity (2003), Observe and Report (2009), Killing Them Softly (2012), The Place Beyond the Pines (2012), and Marriage Story (2019).

Ray Liotta also starred in the drama series Shades of Blue (2016–2018). He earned his first Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture following his role as Ray Sinclair in Something Wild (1986).

Ray Liotta passed away in his sleep on May 26, 2022, at the age of 67.  He was in the Dominican Republic filming Dangerous Waters at the time of his death.

Table of Contents

What ethnicity is Ray Liotta?

Ray Liotta is of a Scottish ethnic background.

Is Ray Liotta actually Italian?

Ray Liotta is not Italian, however, he was adopted by Italian parents.

What is Ray Liotta’s real name?

Ray Liotta’s real name is Raymond Allen Liotta.