'Goodfellas' cast, crew reunite
By Anthony Breznican
Associated Press
The theme of the night was "breaking bread, not legs" when some of the cast and filmmakers of "Goodfellas" reunited for a traditional sit-down dinner at Mateo's restaurant.
Ray Liotta, Paul Sorvino and real-life mob informant Henry Hill — whose gangland experiences inspired the story — showed up to gobble baked ziti, swap stories and recall director Martin Scorsese's acclaimed mob movie.
Many hadn't seen each other since they shot the movie 15 years ago.
Sorvino, who played gang boss Paulie Cicero, said he desperately wanted the role, but played hard to get with Scorsese. "I didn't think I had that kind of brutality," he said, recalling his first meeting with Scorsese. "I even went with a pinky ring and a black overcoat, I swear to God. I never wore a pinkie ring in my life before or since, but I wanted the role so bad! ... I think Marty had me in mind for it early on. So I said, 'I don't think the money is quite right.' He said, 'I'll take care of that!' And after I walked out I thought, 'I've just hoodwinked the greatest director in the world.' "
Scorsese, working on his new film "The Aviator," did not attend the dinner, which was hosted by Warner Home Video to promote a special-edition DVD release of "Goodfellas."
Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci also were absent.
"Goodfellas" producer Irwin Winkler confided that he was initially against Scorsese's choice of Liotta for Henry Hill, but a mix of charm and gentle intimidation won him over.
"I kept saying, 'No, no, no, no, no.' But Ray came over to me casually in a restaurant and said, 'Look, I'm Ray Liotta ... but I understand you're not interested and don't want me for the part. Can I talk to you about it?' He convinced me!" Winkler said, laughing.
Hill, now 62, was kicked out of the Witness Protection Program for continuing to get into trouble with the law. But he isn't afraid for his life anymore. Most of the people he informed on have died in prison. And a lot of gangsters, himself included, are "Goodfellas" fans.
