'Goodfellas' 25th Anniversary: Where Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and the Other Stars Are Now
“I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown. I amuse you?"
-- It's hard to believe it was 25 years ago that Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas" was released in theaters. It remains an enduring classic gangster film that has many scenes fans can easily quote word-for-word: The prison dinner scene, that time at the bar with Billy Batts or how about “I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown. I amuse you?" The quoting possibilities are endless.
The film, based on Nicholas Pileggi's book, "Wiseguy: Life in a Mafia Family," recounts the life of real-life mobster Henry Hill, who is played in the movie by Ray Liotta. "Goodfellas" was nominated for six Academy Awards. Joe Pesci was the only won who walked away with an Oscar for his role as tough guy Tommy DeVito.
For some, it may be a hard movie to watch, but it's certainly not a film to forget. Take a stroll down memory lane to see where the "Goodfellas" stars are today:
Robert De Niro as James "Jimmy the Gent" Conway
Memorable line: “You took your first pinch like a man and you learn two great things in your life. Look at me, never rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut.”
Fate at the end of the movie: Sent to prison after Liotta’s character testifies against him.
Since "Goodfellas," De Niro has appeared in over 50 films. His last movie with good friend and collaborator Martin Scorsese came in "Casino," which hit theaters in 1995. De Niro's last critically acclaimed flick came in 2012 when he earned his seventh Oscar nomination in "Silver Linings Playbook." In 2011, De Niro was honored with the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globe awards. He's currently promoting "The Intern," which hits theaters Friday.
Fear not De Niro fans -- this great actor has one more gangster role left in him. While promoting his new film, De Niro told Jimmy Fallon that he, Pesci and Al Pacino may start filming "The Irishman" soon with Scorsese directing. The film is about hitman Frank Sheeran and is based on Charles Brandt’s true-crime book "I Heard You Paint Houses."
Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito
Memorable line: “I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown. I amuse you?"
Fate at the end of the movie: DeVito is told he will become a made guy, but it’s a ploy to murder him as retribution for killing Billy Batts.
Pesci has become an elusive figure in Hollywood after announcing his retirement from acting in 1999 despite a successful career. Pesci returned to acting in 2006 with a cameo in "The Good Shepard" which was directed by De Niro. The Oscar winner then appeared alongside Helen Mirren in the 2010 film "Love Ranch." Pesci also starred with Don Rickles in a 2011 Snickers commercial.
Ray Liotta as Henry Hill
Memorable line: “For as long as I can remember I always wanted to be a gangster.”
Fate at the end of the movie: Hill enrolls in the witness protection program and testifies against Conway and Cicero. “Goodfellas” ends with Hill living in the witness protection program and finding it hard to leave the gangster lifestyle. "I'm an average nobody. I get to live the rest of my life like a schnook,” Hill says as the film fades to black.
Liotta has starred in various roles since his breakout performance in "Goodfellas." Liotta joined forces again with De Niro to star in the 1997 drama "Cop Land." Liotta won an Emmy in 2004 for his work on "ER" and played Johnny Depp's father in the 2001 film "Blow," which was based on drug dealer George Jung. Liotta is currently starring in the thriller "Go With Me" with Anthony Hopkins. This summer, Liotta was filming a new crime drama TV series called "Shades of Blue" with Jennifer Lopez. Liotta also narrated AMC's "The Making of the Mob: New York" that aired this past June.
Lorraine Bracco as Karen Hill
Memorable line: “Our husbands weren't brain surgeons, they were blue-collar guys. The only way they could make extra money, real extra money, was to go out and cut a few corners.”
Fate at the end of the movie: She joins her husband in the witness protection program.
Bracco starred in various films after "Goodfellas," but she is perhaps best known as Dr. Jennifer Melfi for six season on the HBO series "The Sopranos." Bracco was asked to read for the lead female role of Carmela Soprano, but turned it down because she felt it was too similar to the role of Karen Hill. Edie Falco was eventually cast as Carmella and won three Emmys and two Golden Globes. Bracco is currently staring in the TNT series "Rizzoli & Isles."
Paul Sorvino Paul "Paulie" Cicero
Memorable line: “Vinnie, don't put too many onions in the sauce.”
Fate at the end of the movie: Sent to prison after Liotta’s character rats him out.
A few years after "Goodfellas," Sorvino suited up to play a mobster once again in "The Firm." In 1995, Sorvino played Henry Kissinger in Oliver Stone's "Nixon." Sorvino also made an appearance in the ABC comedy series "The Goldbergs" in 2014.
Frank Vincent as Billy Batts
Memorable line:"Go home and get your shine box." We can't use the whole quote here, but you get the idea.
Fate at the end of the movie: After insulting DeVito at a party, Devito, Conway and Hill kill him and bury his body. In between the murder and burying Batts’ body, the guys stop at DeVito’s mother’s house (played by director Martin Scorsese’s mother) for a later dinner.
After "Goodfellas," Vincent joined Pesci, De Niro and Scorsese for "Casino." And this time he avenged Bill Batts' death by killing Pesci's character. Vincent's biggest role following "Goodfellas" was playing crime boss Phil Leotardo in "The Sopranos."
And let's not forget some of the other lesser known, but equally memorable characters ...
Chuck Low as Morrie Kessler
Memorable line: “Don't buy wigs that come off at the wrong time.”
Fate at the end of the movie: After the crew performed the successful Lufthansa heist, Morrie became an annoyance to Conway constantly asking for his cut. Morrie is lured into a car thinking he and the guys were going to the diner for some Danish, but he’s killed in the passenger seat by DeVito.
Low has done few movies since playing a wig maker in "Goodfellas." Low had a small role in the first ever episode of "The Sopranos."
Samuel L. Jackson as Parnell "Stacks" Edwards
Fate at the end of the movie: Stacks is killed in his apartment by Pesci's character in a purge of all the people who helped in the Lufthansa heist.
Following "Goodfellas," Jackson skyrocketed in popularity with roles in "Jurassic Park" and "Pulp Fiction." More recently, Jackson joined forces with Marvel to play the character Nick Fury. Jackson has appeared in six movies of the Marvel movies, including "Avengers: Age of Ultron," which was released this summer and made more than $1 billion worldwide at the box office.
Michael Imperioli as "Spider"
Fate at the end of the movie: Spider is killed during a card game when he attempts to stand up for himself. Once again, another character killed off by the psychopathic Tommy DeVito.
After "Goodfellas," Imperioli had roles in "Jungle Fever," "Summer of Sam" and "The Lovely Bones" just to name a few. He is yet another "Goodellas" alum who made his way to "The Sopranos," which earned him an Emmy Award. More recently, Imperioli has made appearances on "Californication" and "Hawaii Five-0."
Frank Sivero as Frankie Carbone
Fate at the end of the movie: Found frozen in a meat truck. Apparently, he was so frozen “…it took them three days to thaw him out for the autopsy.”
Sivero starred in movies such as "The Wedding Singer" and "Little Nicky" after his role in "Goodfellas." Sivero made headlines in 2014 for filing a $250 million lawsuit against Fox Television Studios, alleging "The Simpsons" ripped off the liknees of his "Goodfellas" character. The lawsuit was later dismissed.