I am actor Ray Liotta. Go Ahead - Ask Me (almost) Anything!

There was quite a bit of cooking and eating in the movie Goodfellas. Was the food as good as it looked or did they just throw a bunch of canned spaghetti sauce in a pot and make you guys eat it?

Actually it was! The sauce that I was stirring in Goodfellas is actually the sauce of Scorsese's mother. She had made it specifically for us.

would you say Joe Pesci is funny like a clown?

No. Not in the least.

Who was the last famous person you texted with?

Anthony Hopkins

If there was a 'Grand Theft Auto Movie' would you reprise your role as Tommy Vercetti?

I really would have loved to do that.

I read that you don’t have any Italian in you, but regardless I consider you more Italian than many of my friends who are 100% Italian. How does it feel to be the most Italian non-Italian on the planet?

It feels great, thanks for noticing.

Ray, your smoldering stare is the most amazing and scariest stare in Hollywood! Is this something that came natural to you, or did you work tirelessly on perfecting it? Any tips to teach an average guy like me?

A stare is really nothing more than what you're thinking inside.

What is your favorite line from 'Goodfellas'?

"Fuck you, pay me!"

Mr Liotta. I am a huge fan but, quite frankly, you scare me in most of your work (the Muppet movie notwithstanding)

Do you have any anecdotes of inadvertently scaring people in real life just by your presence? I imagine there are times when people see you and think “Oh shit! He’s gonna whack me because I didn’t give him the extra jalapeños he requested”

In the beginning of my career, if I would get onto an elevator some people would be quiet and not say anything. But luckily, no.

Who would you say is the most intense actor you've worked with, and why is it Kermit?

Actually it's Miss Piggy — too demanding and all she wants to do is kiss.

Who's your favorite band?

Do you like to make party?

Steely Dan

Is your laugh in Goodfellas your real laugh?

Yeah, a version of it.

Are you bothered by the fact that you have somewhat been type cast as a dirty cop in recent years or do you enjoy playing that sort of character?

No, I like playing it. I've been lucky enough to play lots of other roles, but it seems like bad guys just stick out in peoples' minds more.

Hi Ray, I was wondering if you could tell us about your time filming Hannibal, particularly your final scene. Were you shocked/surprised with how you met your demise in that movie? How was it working with Sir Anthony Hopkins?

Yeah, it was brutal! Even as we were filming it, it seemed really raw. But then when I saw it, I reacted like everyone else — it was horrific.

How do you think The Sopranos would have turned out had you taken the lead role instead of James Gandolfini?

Different. He was so iconic that it's hard to imagine anyone else doing it. He could have had the TV version of Goodfellas.

Hi What is the best thing that a director can do for you on set? :~)

Leave me alone

Do you plan to run for some political post in the future?

Never. My parents were in politics and it left a bad taste in my mouth, so never.

What are the chances you and Joe Pesci can get together for another movie?

I guess there's always a chance. I would love to work with him again, but I haven't heard of anything.

Hi Ray, welcome to Reddit!

Two questions for you:

• What would be in your perfect sandwich?

• Are there any fictional characters from literature that you would like to portray?

That's all! Thanks again for doing this AMA! :)

Ham, cheese, salami, and hot mustard. And I used to always want to play Jesus. But none really come to mind right now.

How were you and other actors trained to convincingly play baseball in "Field of Dreams"?

I played when I was younger, but I also worked out with a guy named Donny Buford (who played for the Orioles) and a USC coach Rod Dedeaux

If you hadn't become an actor, what else would you have wanted to be, as far back as you can remember?

A musician.

Why don't you watch your own movies?

Too weird! I've seen some just out of curiosity to see how it turned out but I've probably only seen half of what I've made.

Hi Ray, Goodfellas is one of my all time favorite films.

What was it like working with Martin Scorsese, and are there any funny moments you had on set?

Thanks! It was great. I never really wanted to act. I decided when I was in college. I would watch all those 70s movies, which I thought was a great period in movie making. He as well as De Niro and other actors/directors were who I learned from so getting to work with them was great.

Ray, I played as your digital representation in the Call of Duty zombies game. How fun was that to work on? have you ever played it, or had someone show you how it works?

I have never ever played any of 'em, but they're fun to do.

After watching your 1800 Tequila commercials, I think when The Most Interesting Man in the World retires that you should take over for him. Would you consider this?

Haha! No because I think it's pretentious they say he's the most interesting man in the world. There are so many others.

Sadsack weenies, fierce bad guys, or upstanding great guys? Which is most challenging to play?

Fierce bad guys. I've never been in a fight my whole life so to do something different.....

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In a cliche sense, find something in life that they want to do and would enjoy doing because the majority of life is not in school but living life and that's a lot of time!

How come your projects are more dramatic rather than sci-fi/fantasy/horror oriented?

Good question. I've done a little bit of all of them, but you just try to make the best decisions based on what is offered to you.

Hi Ray! Thanks for doing this AMA!

What is the best advice a director had ever given you?

To "do it again," meaning that if it doesn't work, just do it again. Actually it was Scorsese who said that.

Whats one actor/actress you haven't worked with yet that you would love to work with?

I'd love to work with Meryl Streep.

You've been in so many films over the years. What do you consider as your best work?

I don't look at it that way. Each movie poses its own challenge. I just had a movie called The Identical where I played a preacher and I was proud of that.

Take the gun, or leave the cannoli?

Take the gun.

I was pleasantly surprised to see you pop up in The Muppets movie! Did the song and dance numbers take you outside of your comfort zone? I can imagine they took a while to film.

No. Actually when I first started acting, I had no idea what I wanted to do, so I took up theater and all I did was musicals — a jock from Jersey, singing and dancing. Danny Trejo was so funny with the muppets, he would talk to them as if they were really real.

Goodfellas is in my top 3 favourite movies all time, love your work! My question is: What is your favourite gangster / Goodfellas type movie that you were not involved with?

Godfather 2.

according to the good folks at mst3k, you smell like apples. is this true?

Not that I'm aware of.....

Who is your favorite director to work with?

I've been lucky to work with a bunch of them but probably Scorsese and Ridley Scott!

How did you get to play in Sin City?

They asked me, simple as that.

I loved the first one. I actually havent seen the one I did, but someday maybe. I dont watch most of my movies.

Mr. Liotta,

Huge fan here--what was your favorite role you've ever played?

I dont have a favorite. I have some that stand out. Obviously Henry in Goodfellas. A movie I did Narc. The Identical that just came out. And dancing with Kermit and everybody in Muppets Most Wanted — singing and dancing with Danny Trejo and The Muppets is a once in a lifetime thing.

Hi Ray, long time fan! Is there any actor or actress that you've met that has made you feel starstruck?

I guess Gene Hackman and Robert Duvall. I'm doing another movie with Anthony Hopkins, but I'd say I'm more excited than intimidated.

Not really.

Hi Ray

Did you ever meet the real Henry Hill? And how much of his story do you believe?

Yes. I have no reason not to believe it.

Would you rather fight one horse-sized Joe Pesci or 100 duck-sized Joe Pesci's?

Probably duck-sized. I could use my feet and just kick 'em.

Do you like turtles?

I've scuba dived a few times and I love seeing the sea turtles so yes I like turtles.

If you could redo one movie scene agian to either make it perfect or relive that experience. What scene and movie would that be?

I would do the scene with Joe again (you think I'm funny?). it was just fun. It was improv actually.

What is it like knowing that, being in so many truly iconic films, people will be watching your performances for years to come?

You're fantastic, by the way.

Thank you. You make movies so people will see them, so if they see them past their immediate shelf life, it's great!

What was it like working with Alice Eve?

Just as you think it would be.

how many push ups can you do?

In a week or in a day?

Mr. Liotta,

How is it you're such a badass, and where can I learn?

Go to acting class

Ray, you were in a lot of my favorite movies. One of the things that doesn't get talked about much is that you were in my favorite episode of one of my favorite shows ever. You on ER was incredible. Any stories you can share about doing that? Would you ever do anything on TV again? Thanks for your time and I can't wait to see your new film this weekend!

I'd love to do cable. No stories, but I get a lot of people coming up to me who had someone with an alcohol problem, so it's always nice if you've touched somebody and that one touched a lot of people.

What's your favorite animal?

Horse

Sauce or gravy?

Gravy.

Good morning Ray,

I would like to know if you have a "bucket list" and if so, is there anything on there that you're willing to share with us?

As an aside, I've been crushing on you since the 90's. Those eyes!

Thank you

No, I don't have a bucket list. I'm pretending it's not going to happen (death).

Hi Ray! I was wondering, what's your favorite ride at Disney?

I have a few because I go every single year since my daughter turned 4. If it's hot, the log ride. I don't know their names; just where they're located.

What's the craziest fan encounter you've ever had, good our bad? Best encounter?

Probably in the urinal. Crazy fan encounters typically happen in the bathroom.

How was your cooperation with Robert Patrick and Jeremy Renner?

He was good. He's a really a good actor and he's really good in this movie.

If you could play any sport professionally, what sport would it be, and what position?

I used to always want to play basketball professionally.

Have you ever passed over a role and then regretted it later on? Or have you ever taken a role and then regretted it?

No, but there are some that I've wanted but I didnt get. Certain circumstances dictate you doing certain things at certain times. Sometimes, I wish that was different.

What is the one role you would like to play all over again?

I don't think I'd want any of them back.

Hi Ray! Could you describe a typical day you have?

If I'm working, I'm working. If I'm not, I'm a single dad so it's usually going to the gym and then chauffeuring my daughter around.

Ray, first of all I'd like to thank you for this opportunity, second I'd like to ask: where is the best place to get pasta?

At an italian restaurant.

If you were a superhero what would your superpower be and who would be your archenemy? Also do you enjoy a good bagel with cream cheese?

X-ray vision. Too many pretty girls!

What's your favorite part to play,the hero or the villain?

I like all the parts, but villains are fun.

You are a pizza, what toppings would you have?

Just pepperoni - all the way!

Good morning! You're the best. I mean that. My question is about coffee. Milk or half and half?

Milk. 2 percent. Just for color.

You head over to the snack table/truck on set. What do you grab?

A bag of of potato chips

What is your favorite Steely Dan song? Album?

Aja

You have pretty much the greatest eyes in all of Hollywood. If you had to choose one person to do a staring contest with, who would be the hardest enemy?

My daughter

What research did you do for the role?

None really. All the information for this one was in the script.

How freaking cool are you in the 1800 commercial!?

Thanks, I like the commercials too.