"I regret that now": Martin Scorsese's Heartfelt Tribute to Late "Goodfellas" Star Ray Liotta Unveils Untold Stories

The film world was left devastated last month when "Goodfellas" star Ray Liotta passed away. Among those mourning his loss was legendary director Martin Scorsese, who recently shared an intimate and heartfelt tribute to his former collaborator as reported by Variety.

"I Regret That Now": Scorsese's Unfulfilled Plans with Liotta

"We had many plans to work together again but the timing was always off, or the project wasn’t quite right. I regret that now," Scorsese penned, echoing the sentiments of fans longing for another reunion of the dynamic duo.

The master filmmaker's reflections weren't all lamentations. Scorsese also shared how much he admired Liotta's performance in "Marriage Story," mentioning how the actor's intense gravity differed from the young, sprightly figure he once knew.

"When I watched Ray as the divorce lawyer in ‘Marriage Story’ — he’s genuinely scary in the role, which is precisely why he’s so funny — I remember feeling that I wanted to work with him again at this point in his life," Scorsese elaborated.

Fearless Ray: A Side of Liotta Only Scorsese Knew

The word fearless often graces descriptions of great actors, but Scorsese reveals a level of fearlessness in Liotta that transcends mere characterization. During one emotional scene in "Goodfellas," Liotta discovered his mother was dying of cancer, yet chose to stay on set and film.

"The word ‘fearless’ is used quite often to describe actors, and with good reason: actors need to be fearless," Scorsese highlighted. "Into that walked the new guy, Ray Liotta, and he never missed a beat. It felt like we’d worked together for years."

This portrait of a dedicated artist paints a vivid picture of what made Liotta so unique and cherished. Even "Goodfellas" co-star Lorraine Bracco joined in the public mourning, sharing her love for her favorite collaborator on Twitter.

As the world remembers the impact Liotta had on cinema, Scorsese's tribute reminds us of the personal connections that often form the heart of a great film.

"I wish I’d had the chance to see him just once more, too — to tell him just how much the work we did together meant to me. But maybe he knew that. I hope so," Scorsese concludes.

Appetite for Scorsese's full tribute? Head over to The Guardian's website to read it in its entirety.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)