As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a GANGSTER

Iconic star of classic mobster movie Goodfellas dies aged 67

- CONNIE EVANS

TRIBUTES poured in last night for Goodfellas star Ray Liotta after he died in his sleep, aged 67.

The actor, best known for his role opposite Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, had been filming his latest movie, Dangerous Waters, in the Dominican Republic.

Lorraine Bracco, his Goodfellas co-star, said she was "shattered".

IF EVER a movie star was defined by one film, it was Ray Liotta. And the film was Goodfellas.

Liotta, who has died at the age of 67, will be forever remembered for his iconic performance as gangster Henry Hill in the 1990 mafia classic.

He more than held his own with mob flick legends Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci under Martin Scorsese's direction.

Movie fans loved it then, and still do to this day. And Liotta was comfortabale to have found fame as a bad guy.

Speaking in 2013 he said: "I've played a lot of really nice guys. People just remember the bad guys.

"I'm not comparing myself to any of these actors but when you think of Al Pacino or Robert De Niro, you don't think of the softer movies they've done.

You think Raging Bull, The Godfather.

"It's unbelievable how many times a day people will come up and talk to me about Goodfellas. And now what's happening is that kids are watching it.

"I'm getting recognised, 'Hey, you're the Goodfellas guy. And that's great." Lorraine Bracco, who played Liotta's wife Karen in the film and went on to star in the Sopranos, said she was "utterly shattered" to learn of his death.

She added: "I can be anywhere in the world and people will come up and tell me their favourite movie is Goodfellas.

"Then they ask what was the best part of making that movie. My response has always been the same...

Ray Liotta." Liotta's representative confirmed he died in his sleep in the Dominican Republic where he was shooting a movie called Dangerous Waters.

His fiancee Jacy Nittolo was away with him at the time.