On Ray Liotta
The Irish Times has published a profile of the U.S. actor Ray Liotta. It begins:
“Ray Liotta was almost Tony Soprano. He was showrunner David Chase’s first choice to play the New Jersey mob boss, but Liotta chose to focus on his film career, leaving E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt, Anthony LaPaglia and Michael Rispoli in contention. Two of those actors would appear in different roles in the show.”
Liotta has appealed to me as an actor because I think he can play good guys and bad ones equally well. From the interview: “You’re playing pretend. That’s basically what I do.” I have never really been interested in mafia stories. Why would you want to watch extended narratives about criminals? Maybe one film or show about them.
Regarding the E Street Band, apparently the house I lived in as a teenager in suburban Maryland was formerly the residence of one of the band’s musicians, Nils Lofgren. I wondered if it was haunted by him; I do like Springsteen. Haha. The house has been torn down now and replaced with a new one.
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