Actor Ray Liotta, best known for his performance in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas, passed away on May 26th, but before his death, Ray Liotta was known for his outstanding work in many other films outside of the gangster movie. Liotta began his career in TV, starring in Another World, Casablanca, and Our Family Honor, before making his presence known in features like Jonathan Demme's Something Wild, Dominick and Eugene, and Field of Dreams as Shoeless Joe Jackson. But it wasn't until 1990's Goodfellas that Liotta became a star, playing the real-life character of gangster Henry Hill in the much-lauded film that co-starred Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.

Liotta went on to have a tremendous career in Hollywood, starring in a number of features and TV projects that made ample use of his considerable talents as an actor. He brought a menacing intensity to his roles, coupled with a bad boy charm, later moving into more grizzled and esteemed roles in his later years that lent a sense of gravitas to his characters. He would go on to work with a number of Hollywood heavy hitters and talented actors, from James Mangold to Kurt Russell to Ridley Scott to Joe Carnahan to Denzel Washington to Robert Rodriguez and beyond, creating a legacy of films and series that will long be remembered.

Related: Goodfellas: Ray Liotta Used Real-Life Tragedy To Inspire Henry Hill's Anger

While Liotta has a number of notable and memorable roles throughout his 42-year career, there are some definite standouts beyond Goodfellas that fans will remember as some of his best work. There's some debate to be had as to what those films are, but the ones that left an undeniable mark on his resume are compiled here, showcasing his various roles from hero to villain to somewhere in-between. Liotta left behind a body of work that encompasses more than 120 credits, including a number of projects still to be released and the list below reflects some of his absolute best work throughout his career.

Unlawful Entry (1992)

ray liotta in unlawful entry

Jonathan Kaplan's "bad cop" thriller Unlawful Entry cast Kurt Russell and Madeleine Stowe as a married couple rattled by a home burglary that challenges their marriage. The responding cop is played by Liotta, who instantly takes a liking to Stowe's character, becoming obsessed and doing everything in his power to win her over, even as Russell's character fights back. What transpires is a taught, sensual, and violent thriller that puts Liotta in his first big villain role, which he fits into perfectly. As the highly-decorated, yet deeply corrupt cop Pete Davis, Liotta makes full use of his menacing presence, coupled with good-guy charm, making the character almost endearing, even as he does one horrible thing after another. Very few actors can pull off that type of character, but Liotta makes it seem effortless, as he's easily able to be both affable and frightening at the turn of a switch. Russell and Stowe provide just the kind of performances that make Liotta's shine, creating a film that's chock full of gripping suspense and a woefully under-looked addition to the genre.

No Escape (1994)

ray liotta in no escape

Directed by Casino Royale's Martin Campbell, No Escape is a futuristic sci-fi thriller (ironically taking place in 2022) that serves as one of Liotta's best heroic leading man roles. Liotta plays Capt. J.T. Robbins, a soldier convicted of killing his commanding officer and sentenced to a prison island called Absolom. Absolom houses some of the world's most dangerous criminals, who have split into two warring factions. Liotta is more than up to the task of playing the conflicted protagonist who struggles to choose a side, opting instead to find a way to escape the inescapable island. The actor takes on the heroic role with gusto, playing it reserved, smart, and focused, but unleashing the intensity as needed. Working with the likes of Stuart Wilson, Lance Henriksen, Ernie Hudson, and Kevin Dillon, Liotta shines in the leading man role, creating a character to root for who is easy to believe in. It's a rare role for Liotta, as he was frequently typecast in parts that played up a more villainous side, making No Escape a jewel in the crown of his filmography.

Cop Land (1997)

ray liotta in cop land

Sylvester Stallone led an ensemble cast for James Mangold's cop thriller Cop Land, which also starred Harvey Keitel, Robert De Niro, Peter Berg, Janeane Garofalo, Robert Patrick, Annabella Sciorra, Noah Emmerich, and Edie Falco, as well as Liotta in a pivotal role. As corruption spreads through the police force of a New Jersey town, Stallone's sheriff Freddy Heflin begins to investigate, eventually working with Liotta's corrupt cop who is trying to escape the nightmare he's embroiled in. Liotta gives a wild-eyed, erratic performance as the paranoid Gary Figgis, making for a character that no one quite knows if they can trust or not, but desperately want to believe will do the right thing. So much of that desire to see Liotta's character survive comes from Liotta himself, who creates a layered performance that makes Figgis far more than a plot device and every bit a key player that helps make the film as good as it is.

Related: Why Ray Liotta Plays Two Characters In Many Saints Of Newark

Narc (2002)

ray liotta in narc

Joe Carnahan's theatrical debut Narc served as an acting showcase for his two leads, Jason Patric and Liotta. The gritty mystery-thriller focuses on Patric's undercover narcotics officer, Nick Tellis, teaming up with Ray Liotta's character, the unhinged detective Henry Oak, to help crack a case that involves Oak's partner being killed. What unfolds is a story of secrets, lies, violence, and corruption, which gives both Liotta and Patric ample time to chew the scenery throughout. Liotta is on fire throughout Narc, on a quest to uncover (or conceal) the truth, showing off his ferocious side, but also taking time to allow the audience to get to know him. It's a layered performance and one that unravels with each passing second as the truth comes to light. Liotta once again displays how easily he can make an audience care for his character, even as they question whether his intentions are good or bad. Carnahan leads Liotta into one of the best performances of his career and one that sums up his best qualities as an actor in a single film.

Observe & Report (2009)

ray liotta in observe and report

One of the most underrated comedies ever made, Observe & Report is a raunchy, violent, and hilarious endeavor from Eastbound & Down's Jody Hill that produces not only a surprisingly great performance from Liotta, but also from Seth Rogen and Michael Peña. The premise finds Rogen's delusional mall cop character trying to solve the case of a flasher terrorizing customers with the help of his misfit crew, but stopped short when Liotta's police detective Harrison is brought in to wrap it up. What transpires is the usual weird, wild, and hysterical antics that typically perpetuate a Jody Hill project and Liotta is there for it in spades. The actor's career is riddled with police officer roles, but his Detective Harrison is something different altogether, coming off as neither good nor bad, but a professional dealing with the incompetence of Rogen's character, deciding to teach him a lesson as a result. Ray Liotta brings his usual fiery intensity, but also slides into the comedy aspect with ease, showing off a side of his abilities that wasn't utilized enough throughout his career.

Next: What Ray Liotta Has Done Since Goodfellas