Ray Liotta Once Gave a Brutally Honest Answer to Who Was the Most Overrated Actor of the ’80s and ’90s
The world of entertainment often celebrates actors who are polite and diplomatic, but Ray Liotta will always be remembered for his refreshing and brutal honesty. This trait was on full display during a memorable 2017 television appearance that has resurfaced in the wake of his passing. While promoting his work on the NBC series Shades of Blue, Liotta sat down for an interview that proved he was never one to mince words.
Liotta appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen alongside his co-star, Jennifer Lopez. During the segment, Cohen invited the actors to play a popular recurring game called “Plead the Fifth.” The premise of the game involves the host asking three difficult or controversial questions, with the guest only allowed to pass on one of them.
Cohen posed a particularly provocative question to the Goodfellas legend regarding his peers in the industry. The host asked Liotta to name who he believed was the most overrated actor of the ’80s and ’90s. To ensure the answer was interesting, Cohen added a disclaimer that Liotta was not allowed to name himself.
Without a moment of hesitation or second-guessing, Liotta dropped the name of a Hollywood icon. He firmly stated that Clint Eastwood was his pick for the most overrated actor of that era. The audience in the studio immediately reacted with a mix of shock and nervous laughter at the calling out of the Unforgiven star.
Ray Liotta didn’t hold back when asked, “Who was the most overrated actor of the ’80s and ’90s?”
— Emir Han (@RealEmirHan) January 21, 2026
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Liotta remained completely unfazed by the crowd’s reaction to his controversial opinion. He turned to the audience and retorted, “I don’t give a sh***” proving that he stood by his assessment regardless of public opinion.
The game continued with Cohen probing into Liotta’s on-screen romantic history. The host asked the actor to identify the worst kisser among all the leading ladies he had worked with throughout his extensive career. Once again, Liotta bypassed the option to “plead the fifth” and offered a direct answer.
He revealed that Sigourney Weaver was the actress who held that unfortunate title in his mind. The two had starred together in the 2001 romantic crime comedy Heartbreakers, where they shared intimate scenes. Liotta’s nonchalant delivery of these answers highlighted a candid nature that fans and friends deeply admired.
This straight-shooting attitude is just one part of the legacy Liotta leaves behind following his unexpected death in the Dominican Republic. He passed away in his sleep while on location for the film Dangerous Waters. His sudden departure sent shockwaves through the film industry, prompting an outpouring of love from those who knew him best.
His fiancée, Jacy Nittolo, whom he met in 2019 and planned to marry, led the tributes. She shared a heartfelt sentiment on Instagram, writing that “he was the most beautiful person inside and out that I’ve ever known… and even that is an understatement.” Her words painted a picture of a man who was deeply loving behind his tough-guy screen persona.
Martin Scorsese, who directed Liotta in his career-defining role as Henry Hill in Goodfellas, also offered high praise. Scorsese eulogized him as a “uniquely gifted” and “courageous” performer. The director noted that their collaboration on the 1990 biographical crime drama resulted in what many consider to be Liotta’s greatest performance.
Despite his harsh words for Clint Eastwood years prior, Liotta ironically spent some of his final days working with Eastwood’s son. Scott Eastwood is a cast member in the film April 29, 1992, which Liotta finished filming in November before his death. The movie, directed by Ariel Vromen, focuses on the tumultuous period of the Los Angeles uprising following the Rodney King verdict.
Please tell us if you agree with Ray Liotta’s controversial take on Clint Eastwood’s acting abilities in the comments.