Goodfellas': Where are they now?

It's been 21 years since the release of 'Goodfellas,' yet the gangster classic directed by Martin Scorsese still looks and feels as if it was made only yesterday. In the two decades since it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture, it has not aged - if only the same could be said of its stellar cast. For some actors, 'Goodfellas' was a career-maker, while for others ... let's just say it feels as if they've been put in witness protection with Henry Hill. Find out where the cast of 'Goodfellas' is now.

By the end of "Goodfellas," the movie's main Goodfella Henry Hill rats out his mob buddies and goes into hiding. The same could not be said for Ray Liotta, who played Hill.

Liotta's career was effectively launched by the film and since its release, Liotta has had little problem picking up acting gigs - even branching out into video games - including a stand-out performance in 1997's “Cop Land,” which also featured his “Goodfellas” co-star Robert De Niro. He portrayed Frank Sinatra in the 1998 made-for-TV movie “The Rat Pack"; he guest-starred on a number of television programs including an episode of “ER,” for which he received an Emmy; and he provided the voice of main character Tommy Vercetti in the popular video game “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.”

Currently, Liotta has a number of films in post-production including “The Details” and “Date Night,” a comedy with Steve Carell and Tina Fey, which is due out in April.

There's nothing funny about Robert De Niro's Jimmy Conway, aka “Jimmy The Gent,” a steely-eyed mobster who kills without remorse. The same, however, can't be said about De Niro, who has exercised his funny bone plenty in the two decades since playing Conway.

De Niro has starred in the comedies “Analyze This” and “Meet The Parents,” as well as their respective sequels “Analyze That” and “Meet The Fockers.” The busy actor also found time to reteam with his close friend, Scorsese, for 1995's "Casino," direct two films – 1993’s “A Bronx Tale” and 2006’s “The Good Shepherd” - and co-found the Tribeca Film Festival.

He recently shot “Little Fockers,” a sequel to “Meet The Fockers,” which is due for release in late 2010.

Joe Pesci won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the short-tempered, violent mobster Tommy DeVito in "Goodfellas." Like Liotta, his career was launched by the movie and similar to De Niro, he would go on to star in a number of successful comedies, including “Hone Alone” and its sequel, “My Cousin Vinny,” "The Super," and 3 of the 4 "Lethal Weapon" movies.

"Am I funny? Do I make you laugh?" his character famously asks in "Goodfellas." The answer is YES! But can he sing? Audiences found out in 1998, when Pesci released an album titled “Vincent LaGuardia Gambini Sings Just For You,” which included the single “Wise Guy.”

He has also had small roles in De Niro’s films “A Bronx Tale” and “The Good Shepherd” and Scorsese's "Casino."

He is currently one of the producers for the Broadway musical “Jersey Boys” and recently shot with Helen Mirren, “Love Ranch,” a drama about a couple who start the first legal brothel in Nevada, due for release sometime in 2010.

Lorraine Bracco’s role as Karen Hill, the strong-willed wife of mobster Henry Hill, earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Yet Bracco's most memorable work was yet to come. As Dr. Jennifer Melfi, psychiatrist to one Tony Soprano on HBO's much lauded mob drama "The Sopranos," she would be nominated for four Emmy Awards.

In 2010, Bracco is set to star as Angie Harmon’s mother in TNT’s new crime drama “Rizzoli,” based on the mystery novels by Tess Gerritsen.

Bracco is not the only "Sopranos" alum that makes an appearance in "Goodfellas."

Sopranos alum thats' not Lorrane Bracco #1: Actor Michael Imperioli may be best known for playing a fast-rising soldier in Tony Soprano's crew on the "The Sapranos," but who can forget his two scenes in "Goodfellas." Playing Spider, a smart alecky neighborhood kid in the wrong place at the wrong time, Imperioli is shot twice by Pesci's unhinged De Vito. First, it was for not delivering his drink fast enough. Second - and this is what does him in - it's for taunting De Vito.

Since "Goodfellas," Imperioli has emerged as a multifaceted talent, having written a number of episodes of “The Sopranos” and in 2009, writing and directing "The Hungry Ghosts."

He most recently starred in the first season of ABC's sci-fi crime drama “Life On Mars” and in the film “The Lovely Bones.”

Sopranos alum thats' not Lorrane Bracco #2: As gangster and made man Billy Batts, actor Frank Vincent, who played Phil Leotardo on the HBO show, is savagely killed by Pesci's De Vito and then buried in the woods.

Before and since, Vincent has made a career of playing gangsters, also starring in the made-for-television movie “Gotti” and Scorsese’s “Casino.” And like Liotta, Vincent voiced the mob boss Salvatore Leone in three “Grand Theft Auto” video games .

In 2009, he popped up in an episode of “Stargate Atlantis” with "Sopranos" cast-mate Steve Schirripa (Bobby Baccalieri, aka the guy who married Tony's sister).

Sopranos alum thats' not Lorrane Bracco #3: You may know him as Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri on "The Sopranos," but Tony Sirico played a bit part in "Goodfellas" as a mobster from Henry Hill's childhood.

His other post-“Goodfellas” work includes “Bullets Over Broadway” and the made-for-TV movie “Gotti.” He was most recently in an episode of "Chuck."

Sopranos alum thats' not Lorrane Bracco #4: Before he became a famous mobster on “The Sopranos,” Vincent Pastore had a minor role in "Goodfellas." He rolls a coat rack through a kitchen of The Bamboo Lounge and is credited as the “Man with Coat Rack.”

Sirico is best known for his role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on “The Sopranos.” Though his character was whacked at the end of season 2, he made guest appearances over the years in dreams and flashbacks.

His other post-“Goodfellas” work includes a recurring role on “General Hospital” in 2008, and appearances in the films, “Riding in Cars with Boys” and “Carlito’s Way.”

Pastore was a contestant on a number of reality shows including “Celebrity Fit Club” and “Celebrity Apprentice.”

As Capo Paul Cicero, Paul Sorvino’s character in "Goodfellas" is responsible for initiating Henry Hill into the mob. But he's perhaps most remembered for thinly slicing garlic for marinara sauce in a mouth-watering cooking scene. At least that's what Cicero, who recently launched his own line of pasta sauce, is banking on.

Yet you're still just as likely to see Sorvino on the screen as you are in the shopping aisle. His post-“Goodfellas” work includes a number of film roles, notably as Henry Kissinger in Oliver Stone’s “Nixon” and a role in “The Cooler.”

He recently starred in “The Irishman,” a film about Irish and Italian mob struggles in Cleveland in the 1970s, due out in 2010.

Frank DiLeo was gangster Tuddy Cicero, brother of Paul Cicero and the man responsible for whacking Tommy (Joe Pesci) after he kills a made man.

Post-"Goodfellas," DiLeo had roles in both “Wayne’s World” movies, but acting has never been his long suit.
DiLeo worked in the music industry for a number of years, most famously as Michael Jackson's manager from 1984-89. He also co-produced Jackson’s 1988 film "Moonwalker," which “Goodfellas” cast-mate Pesci had a role in.

In 2009, before Jackson's death, he began to manage the superstar again and is credited as a co-producer of his canceled “This Is It” tour.

Chuck Low, who at one point was Robert De Niro's real estate agent, plays Maurice “Morrie” Kessler, owner of Morrie’s Wig Shop, in "Goodfellas." He's an annoying hanger-on who's eventually done in with an ice pick by Pesci's De Vito (sensing a theme?).

Low has managed a modest acting career with parts on episodes of “Law & Order” and “The Sopranos.”

He was last seen as Bruno in 2003’s “Kill The Poor.”

 

Frank Silvero raised some eyebrows as Frankie Carbone, a minor figure in the move who played an even smaller role in the multi-million dollar Lufthansa heist and is later found dead in a refrigerated truck, hanging from a meat hook.

Since "Goodfellas," you may have seen those unforgettable tuffy patches of fun in "The Wedding Singer,” “Little Nicky” and “The Aviator,” as well as “NYPD Blue.”

His last credited role was in 2008’s “Hotel California.”

As Frenchy, actor Mike Starr was responsible for giving the keys to the storage room that allows the gang to complete the Lufthansa heist. He is later found dead in a dumpster.

Starr went on to have guest parts in a number of films like “The Black Dahlia” and “Ed Wood” and TV shows “Without A Trace” and “CSI: NY” and had recurring roles on “Joan of Arcadia” and “Ed.” In 2009, he made an appearance on “The Office.”

He will be in upcoming film “Ca$h,” due for release in March 2010.

Starting with "Raging Bull," Scorsese liked to put both of his parents, Charles and Catherine, in his films. He said it reminded him of where he came from. In "Goodfellas," Charles, Scorsese's dad, plays a locked up gangster with a talent for cooking pasta, while Scorsese's mom, Catherine, plays De Vito's clueless mom. (Prints of the painting she made in the movie can be found online.) Charles died just 3 years after the movie was released, while Catherine died of Alzheimer’s disease in 1997.

Largely considered one of the best directors of his or any time, Martin Scorsese was nominated for an Oscar for "Goodfellas," but was passed up for a third time. (He was previously nominated for "The Last Temptation of Christ" and "Raging Bull.") He would have to wait 16 more years to win the coveted Oscar for "The Departed." In the meantime, he made a couple of movies you might have heard of: "Casino," "Cape Fear," "Bringing Out the Dead," "Gangs of New York," and "The Aviator."

What's next? "Sinatra," starring, reportedly, Leonard DiCaprio as Ol' Blue Eyes. Let's start the Oscar buzz now.

Despite being a dead ringer for a young Ray Liotta and De Niro saying, "You remind me of myself as a kid," Bronx-native Christopher Serrone, who played the young Henry Hill in "Goodfellas," dropped off the map after the film. Mysteriously, he has landed his first acting role in two decades in “Pathfinder,” which is currently in post-production.

Joseph D’Onofrio played the young Tommy DeVito (Pesci).

D’Onofrio was again cast as a young mobster in De Niro’s “A Bronx Tale.” He later had small roles in “Spider-Man” and “Analyze That.” On television, D’Onofrio has had a number of one-offs on shows such as “Law & Order,” “Lipstick Jungle” and “30 Rock.”

He is slated to appear this year in the comedy “Circus Maximus."

What hasn't Samuel L. Jackson been in since playing the unlucky Parnell “Stacks” Edwards in "Goodfellas"? Jackson has proven to be the busiest man in show business, acting in a gazillion films including “Jurassic Park,” “Pulp Fiction,” the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy, “The Incredibles,” "Die Hard 3," "Jackie Brown," and let's not forget, "Snakes on a Plane."

Jackson will surely remain busy in 2010 and audiences will get to see him this year in “Iron Man 2,” "The Other Guys," "Unthinkable," and "Vengeance: A Love Story."

In "Goodfellas," Debbie Mazer, a hip-hop dancer who has been in five Madonna videos, "including 1986’s “Papa Don’t Preach” and 2000’s “Music," plays Henry Hill's mistress.

After the film, Mazer has kept busy with appearances on “LA Law,” “Law & Order," “Friends” and on the ninth series of “Dancing with the Stars.” She finished in 12th place.

Currently, she is on HBO's“Entourage.”

Gina Mastrogiacomo’s role in “Goodfellas” was as Janice Rossi, the mistress of Henry Hill.

She would immediately follow that up with a role in Spike Lee's "Jungle Fever," but Mastrogiacomo's career never really took off. She auditioned three times for the role of Tony Soprano's sister on "The Sopranos," but lost out to Aida Turturro because they wanted someone heavier, according to IMDB.com. She has guest stints on "Seinfeld,” as a prostitute, “ER” and “The X Files.” Sadly, Mastrogiacomo passed away in 2001 of a rare heart infection.

Stella Keitel, the real-life daughter of Bracco and Scorsese pal Harvey Keitel, played the older child of Henry and Karen Hill.

Despite battling juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Keitel has pursued an acting career and appears to have a bright future in Hollywood. How could she not with that pedigree? So far she's made appearances in “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and “The Life Of Lucky Cucumber.”

She has a part in the upcoming film “Holy Rollers.”

Elizabeth Whitcraft was one of Tommy (Pesci) De Vito's girlfriends who memorably cops to finding Sammy Davis Jr. sexy. De Vito doesn't like that.

Whitcraft later made guest appearances in the television programs “Quantum Leap,” “Eden” and George Clooney’s HBO series “Unscripted.”

Whitcraft currently works as a fashion stylist.

As Bruce, actor Mark Evan Jacobs is horrifically beatean in the face with the butt of a gun by Henry Hill after repeatedly harassing Karen (Bracco), his future wife.

Jacobs would go on to save face with roles in “Old Explorers,” “Claude” and “Bleeding Hearts.”

He is currently president of Watkins Inc., a manufacturing company of household and personal care products.

Youngman, a legendary nightclub comedian known for his one-liners (“Take my wife – please!”) and violin playing, made a cameo appearance in "Goodfellas" as himself performing for the mobsters at the Copacabana.


Post-“Goodfellas” he continued to work as a stand-up comedian and had a few minor television roles.


He died in February, 1998.

GoodFellas ECigarettes The Name Says it All! 


Tags:  GoodFellas ECigarettes, GoodFellow ECigarettes, GoodFellas, GoodFellow, Cigarette Electronic Cigaretttes, E -Cigarettes, e-cigarette Reviews, ecig, GoodFellas Cigarettes, GoodFellow Cigarettes, Electric Cigarettes, GoodFellas Movie, GoodFellas Quotes, Cigarette Electric Cigarette

50 Useless but Genius Facts about GoodFellas

Don’t consider yourself a GoodFellas expert until you’ve digested all of this invaluable trivia.

GoodFellas ECigarettes Visit Our Online Store Today!

The F-bomb is dropped 296 times during the film, averaging twice per minute. About half of them are by Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci). After Pesci’s mother saw the film, she said she liked it but asked if he had swear so much.


Robert De Niro’s Jimmy Conway character is based on real-life mobster Jimmy Burke, aka Jimmy ‘The Gent’ or ‘The Big Irishman’, an ex-bricklayer believed to have orchestrated the $6m Lufthansa heist in 1978 and then killed 10 of those who took part. To portray him, De Niro plundered writer Nicholas Pileggi’s unused notes and obsessively asked the real Henry Hill for details about the real Jimmy — how he held his cigarette, used a ketchup bottle, reacted to various situations, etc.

When Pileggi pitched the title of his book Wiseguy (that GoodFellas is based on), his publishers suggested he changed it as they had never heard the term before — at that point, it was not widely known.


Horses’ heads were left in Ray Liotta’s dressing room, by both co-star Robert De Niro and Frank Sinatra’s daughter Nancy, as a Godfather homage and welcome to the world of Mafia films.

Driving to the set each day, Liotta listened to tapes of FBI wiretaps of the real Henry Hill to help him get into character for the day’s filming.


Pesci wrote the “Funny how?” scene himself, at Scorsese’s request. Pesci had once seen a similar incident occur between drunk mobsters in Chicago. During the scene, Scorsese chose not to film any close-ups, and packed Mob members around Pesci and Liotta, specifically so that you could “see the affect on those around them”.

For the famous montage scene set to Derek & The Dominos’ Layla, Scorsese played the piano coda himself during the shooting of each scene, so they could get the rhythm and movement of the camera right, matching up certain bars of the song with specific shots.


After Henry is released from prison and Paulie (Paul Sorvino) warns him off drug-dealing, Sorvino improvised the slap to Liotta’s face — so Liotta’s surprised reaction is real.

As you may expect, there are many connections between GoodFellas and The Sopranos. They share two-dozen actors, notably Lorriane Bracco and Michael Imperioli. Sopranos creator David Chase says, “GoodFellas is the Koran for me.” Christopher [Tony’s nephew] lists it as one of his screenwriting inspirations. And when watching films with Father Intintola, [Tony’s wife] Carmela mentions Tony preferring Godfather II to the original, and the priest asks Carmela where Tony rates GoodFellas.

Scorsese originally intended to make GoodFellas two years earlier, but when funding for his pet project The Last Temptation Of Christ finally materialised in 1987, he decided to shoot that and postpone the gangster flick.

The dinner scene with Tommy’s mother is largely improvised, including Tommy asking if he could borrow her butcher’s knife and the paw/hoof debate.


Paulie’s razor-blade garlic slicing isn’t actually very practical. It tends to brown too quickly unless you put it in lukewarm oil. It’s usually easier to mash it with a fork. Still, certain Italian cookbooks suggest you slice the cloves “GoodFellas thin” and to cook them “low and slow”.

For a film renowned for violence, GoodFellas has a relatively low body count of 10.

GoodFellas ECigarettes Visit Our Online Store Today!

Part TWO Tomorrow

TAGS: GoodFellas, GoodFellas Facts, Movie, Electronic Cigarette, E-Cigarette, Cigarette Electronic Cigarettte, Electric Cigarette, ecig, Quit Smoking, nicotine addictions, e-cigarette Reviews, Smoking,