Karsen Liotta Remembers 'Kind-Hearted' Dad Ray Liotta Two Years After His Death: 'My Best Friend' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Karsen Liotta and Ray Liotta.Photo: Arturo Holmes/WireImage

Karsen Liottais opening up about her tight-knit relationship with her dadRay Liottatwo years after his death.On Tuesday, Aug. 27, the actress, 25, spoke to PEOPLE at the Los Angeles premiere of her dad’s film1992about how she keeps the actor’s legacy alive following hisdeath in 2022at age 67. Karsen shares that her dad was “my best friend” and also reveals the “random” sign that reminds her of him.“He was the best, the most trustworthy, ride or die, always had my back, no matter what, most loyal, funniest, most kind-hearted person,” she recalls to PEOPLE of her late father, adding, “and especially as a father, as a friend, brother, son.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Ray Liotta and daughter Karsen Liotta.Chad Buchanan/GettyTo keep her dad’s legacy alive, Karsen says she’s “talking about him all the time.““I don’t sit around and talk about him, but if somebody asks me a question, I’ll answer,” she shares, adding that she also enjoys “watching old movies that he’s done.““I do that fairly often,” she continues, “but seeing old pictures of us, talking about him, thinking about him. There’s only so much I can do. Even just reminiscing and laughing about certain jokes we had and things like that"Asked whether she’s had any experiences that remind her of her father, Karsen says that Ray “always had a thing” for feathers. “He always had a thing about feathers, and I’ve randomly seen feathers, especially in our home,” she explains. “Weird things like that"The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Ray Liotta.John Lamparski/GettyAs for the 2024 release of Ray’s film1992, Karsen calls it “an incredible piece of history.““I think it’s an incredible piece of history, incredible in the sense that wasn’t incredible in a good way,” she said to PEOPLE. “It’s a huge piece of history that, I think he was very, very — I know, he was very honored to be able to learn more about it and be a part of it, in the sense that he could tell a story to people who don’t know about it or people who are still learning, or people know about it and just want to see some piece of something.“She adds, “I think that he would be very, very honored to be here. And I know he was very honored, and felt very respectful about all of it, and just was eager to learn and eager to jump in and do what he did best.”

Karsen Liottais opening up about her tight-knit relationship with her dadRay Liottatwo years after his death.

On Tuesday, Aug. 27, the actress, 25, spoke to PEOPLE at the Los Angeles premiere of her dad’s film1992about how she keeps the actor’s legacy alive following hisdeath in 2022at age 67. Karsen shares that her dad was “my best friend” and also reveals the “random” sign that reminds her of him.

“He was the best, the most trustworthy, ride or die, always had my back, no matter what, most loyal, funniest, most kind-hearted person,” she recalls to PEOPLE of her late father, adding, “and especially as a father, as a friend, brother, son.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Ray Liotta and daughter Karsen Liotta.Chad Buchanan/Getty

To keep her dad’s legacy alive, Karsen says she’s “talking about him all the time.”

“I don’t sit around and talk about him, but if somebody asks me a question, I’ll answer,” she shares, adding that she also enjoys “watching old movies that he’s done.”

“I do that fairly often,” she continues, “but seeing old pictures of us, talking about him, thinking about him. There’s only so much I can do. Even just reminiscing and laughing about certain jokes we had and things like that”

Asked whether she’s had any experiences that remind her of her father, Karsen says that Ray “always had a thing” for feathers. “He always had a thing about feathers, and I’ve randomly seen feathers, especially in our home,” she explains. “Weird things like that”

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Ray Liotta.John Lamparski/Getty

John Lamparski/Getty

As for the 2024 release of Ray’s film1992, Karsen calls it “an incredible piece of history.”

“I think it’s an incredible piece of history, incredible in the sense that wasn’t incredible in a good way,” she said to PEOPLE. “It’s a huge piece of history that, I think he was very, very — I know, he was very honored to be able to learn more about it and be a part of it, in the sense that he could tell a story to people who don’t know about it or people who are still learning, or people know about it and just want to see some piece of something.”

She adds, “I think that he would be very, very honored to be here. And I know he was very honored, and felt very respectful about all of it, and just was eager to learn and eager to jump in and do what he did best.”

source: people.com