Actor Ray Liotta, who died unexpectedly at the age of 67 in his sleep while in the Dominican Republic filming a movie, Dangerous Waters, will be remembered for films including Goodfellas. Fans of Another World recall the star for his run as good guy Joey Perrini.
Multiple outlets have published stories on the news of Liotta’s passing. The actor reportedly died in his sleep. Veteran AW fans recollect that Joey Perrini was mentioned on and off for years as being the childhood pal of Jamie Frame (Bobby Doran) and next-door neighbor of Jamie’s grandmother Ada Downs McGowan (the late Constance Ford). Joey was eventually brought to life by Liotta. The rest of the Perrini family included Joey’s mother Rose (Kathleen Widdoes, ex-Emma, As the World Turns) and Angie (first played by Toni Kalem, and later, Maeve Kinkead, ex-Vanessa, Guiding Light).
Liotta first appeared on AW on April 4, 1978, and played the role until November 9, 1981. The actor told Larry King in 2014 on Larry King Now that he got the Brooklyn-based soap opera Another World six months after he graduated from college. “I played the nicest character in the world, Joey Perrini,” Liotta recalled. “I did that till I was 25.”
The actor’s leading lady, Vicky Dawson (Eileen Simpson), recalled working with Liotta and shared her memories and a clip of their on-screen magic in an Instagram post. “Even though it was years ago, I still consider Ray Liotta one of the best actors I’ve had the opportunity to work with,” the actress posted on Instagram. “The years we spent on ‘Another World’ creating ‘Joey and Eileen’ together was truly special. Another space in time. RIP Ray.”
Former AW head writer Harding Lemay praised the compelling actor’s talent a few times in his memoir, Eight Years in Another World. The scribe wrote: “Maeve Kinkead and Ray Liotta immediately displayed affectionate, playful rapport as they united against their pious mother…” and also, “We had an extremely popular young actor in Roy [sic] Liotta whose Joey had become an instant favorite with viewers his own age.”
Lemay also wrote that while other younger actors populated the show’s cast, “none of them, except for Ray Liotta as Joey, elicited strong response from the audience.”
While young Sally Frame (Cathy Greene, Julie Philips) had a crush on Joey, he only had eyes for the sensitive Eileen. After a short-lived romance and even shorter marriage, Eileen passed away after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Slowly, a shattered Joey found romance again with Kit Farrell AKA Kit Halloway (Bradley Bliss), an heiress who lied about her identity for fear of being kidnapped once more. Joey attempted to break things off with Kit for her own good but they later reconciled. Both Joey and Kit exited Bay City when the characters opted to elope and their performers left the series.
Soap Hub sends sincere condolences to Ray Liotta’s loved ones at this difficult time. Check out this YouTube video that has scenes of Liotta’s Joey with Bliss, Chris Rich (Sandy Cory), Miranda Bishop (Judith McConnell), Chris Knight (Leigh Hobson), Kevin Conroy (Jerry Grove), and others. You can see Dawson’s Instagram post below.
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