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  3. MagnoliaandModern FamilyActor Philip Baker Hall Dead at 90

Magnolia and Modern Family Actor Philip Baker Hall Dead at 90

Philip Baker Hall’s friend and neighbor, who announced his death, called the actor “one of the wisest, most talented and kindest people I’ve ever met”By Benjamin VanHooseJune 13, 2022 02:20 PMadvertisementFBTweetMore

Philip Baker Hall

CREDIT: MICHAEL TRAN/FILMMAGIC

Philip Baker Hall, an actor whose career spanned more than 50 years, has died. He was 90.

Los Angeles Times sports reporter Sam Farmer announced the news on Twitter Monday, writing, “My neighbor, friend, and one of the wisest, most talented and kindest people I’ve ever met, Philip Baker Hall, died peacefully last night. He was surrounded by loved ones. The world has an empty space in it.”

In a statement to PEOPLE, Hall’s family says, “Our beloved Philip died quietly at home in Glendale, surrounded by his loving family.”

Hall is known for movie roles in director Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 film Magnolia and his 1997 film Boogie Nights, both of which earned Hall SAG Award nominations as part of the cast ensembles. On television, Hall had brief yet memorable parts on Seinfeld (he was Lt. Bookman in “The Library” episode) and Modern Family, as the Dunphy family’s neighbor Walt Kleezak.

“It’s always fun to have a good part on one of the best shows on TV. It’s a great show, and I’m grateful for the time I got to be on there,” he told A.V. Club back in 2012 of his Modern Family character.

The actor also appeared in the Rush Hour movies, 50/50, Zodiac, Bruce Almighty and the 1998 Psycho remake. Additionally, he played Richard Nixon in Robert Altman’s 1984 movie Secret Honor.

RELATED: Celebrities Who’ve Died in 2022

Philip Baker Hall

CREDIT: AMANDA EDWARDS/GETTY

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE‘s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

One of his final red carpet appearances was in March 2017 at the Hollywood premiere of The Last Word, posing for photos alongside Anne Heche, Thomas Sadoski, Shirley MacLaine, Ann’Jewel Lee and Amanda Seyfried.

In his 2012 A.V. Club interview, Hall spoke about being a frequent collaborator with writer/director Anderson, saying “somehow we were drawn together” when they met.

“We had coffee and cigarettes between the takes and got to know each other a little bit, and it was obvious to an experienced actor that he was unusual,” he said at the time. “… There was something of the golden child about Paul, even when I had not seen one line of his writing. Just talking to him and listening to him talk and getting to know him a little bit on the set, it seemed like this was not your everyday person.”

Philip Baker Hall

Philip Baker Hall in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Hard Eight (1996) | CREDIT: MARK TILLIE/RYSHER/KOBAL/SHUTTERSTOCK

Hall also recalled becoming a west coast working actor after building a “sizable” résumé in New York City.

“I don’t know why I left New York. Looking back, I almost wish I hadn’t left New York,” he said, adding of his difficulty getting an agent in Los Angeles versus N.Y.C.: “But this is not quite true in L.A. Unless you look like Tom Cruise did at 23 or something. If you’re just coming out there, and you’re not in your early 20s and look like a Greek god, and you’re out there without some representation or at least some central film in your bag, I would have to say that you almost don’t have a chance. Or at least when I came out in the ’70s you didn’t.”

Philip Baker Hall

CREDIT: L. COHEN/WIREIMAGE

He added, “I was about 40 years old then. There’s a bottom line of money and career, and looking at me, they had to make decisions, and a lot of them said, ‘Judging by this résumé, you’re probably a skilled actor, I have no doubt, but there are a lot of people in line ahead of you.’ I remember a couple of agents actually used that phrase: ‘There’s a lot of people your age in front of you who’ve been out here for 20 years, who actually know how this game is played, and who are very skilled in front of a camera.’ And I must admit, I was not confident or skilled in front of a camera. I absolutely was not.”

“In those first jobs, I was lacking in confidence, and I did feel there are things to be learned here, and I haven’t learned them. And I wasn’t even sure how to learn them. It was the kind of things that, especially at my age, after so many years of working in the theater, you can’t study in the book or memorize or even ask somebody, ‘How do you appear relaxed and casual and yet get the job done in front of the camera with a hundred crew people looking on?’ ” he recalled of moving into film and television. “Not to mention the other actors, many of whom when I first started were probably prominent or even stars. You’ve got to deliver the goods, but you’re scared to death. Which I certainly was, at least in the beginning.”

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Ray Liotta, Goodfellas Actor and Emmy Winner, Dead at 67

The actor is survived by fiancée Jacy Nittolo and daughter Karsen, 23By Benjamin VanHooseadvertisement×00:2101:09https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.517.2_en.html#goog_1760055687

Ray Liotta has died. The Emmy Award winner was 67.

The Goodfellas actor died in his sleep in the Dominican Republic, PEOPLE confirms. He was engaged to fiancée Jacy Nittolo, and he was dad to daughter Karsen, 23, with ex-wife Michelle Grace.

A source tells PEOPLE no foul play is suspected in his death and that Nittolo was with him when he passed.

Deadline was first to report the news.

Liotta spoke to PEOPLE in November about how his personality differed from the tough-guy roles he played in TV and film. “I have never been in a fight at all, except for during sports, and that’s just pushing and goofy kid stuff,” he said at the time.

For more on the death of Ray Liotta, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-people-every-day-76003809/episode/ray-liotta-dead-at-67-taking-97521753/?embed=true

He added of his career, “It’s weird how this business works, because I’ve definitely had a career that’s up and down. For some reason, I’ve been busier this year than I have in all the years that I’ve been doing this. And I still feel I’m not there yet. I just think there’s a lot more.”

CREDIT: ELISABETH CAREN/CONTOUR/GETTY

The star recently appeared in the Sopranos prequel movie The Many Saints of Newark and the Amazon Prime series Hanna, and he was currently filming the movie Dangerous Waters.

RELATED: Inside Ray Liotta’s Romance with Fiancée Jacy Nittolo — and How His Daughter Set Them Up: ‘Love of My Life’

CREDIT: AARON RAPOPORT/CORBIS/GETTY

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE‘s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Liotta revealed his engagement to Nittolo, a mom of four, on Christmas in 2020, writing on Instagram, “Christmas wishes do come true. I asked the love of my life to marry me, and thank God she said yes!!!”

He also opened up to PEOPLE about not taking family for granted. Raised in New Jersey, the star was adopted from an orphanage as a baby by his father Alfred, an auto parts store owner, and mom Mary.

RELATED: Celebrities Who’ve Died in 2022

“At first, I didn’t understand how a parent could give up a child,” he said. “So I had that kind of energy of just being like, that’s f—ed up. And then when I finally met my birth mom in my 40s, by then, I wasn’t as angry about it. It’s just another journey.”

Added Liotta, “After years, you grow up, and you just see the pattern of things. I’ve definitely developed more patience. Now I’m grateful for my health. And being born. For my parents that adopted me. I mean, it could have gone a lot of different ways.”PEOPLE.com

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  1. PEOPLE.COM
  2. MOVIES
  3. MagnoliaandModern FamilyActor Philip Baker Hall Dead at 90

Magnolia and Modern Family Actor Philip Baker Hall Dead at 90

Philip Baker Hall’s friend and neighbor, who announced his death, called the actor “one of the wisest, most talented and kindest people I’ve ever met”By Benjamin VanHooseJune 13, 2022 02:20 PMadvertisementFBTweetMore

Philip Baker Hall

CREDIT: MICHAEL TRAN/FILMMAGIC

Philip Baker Hall, an actor whose career spanned more than 50 years, has died. He was 90.

Los Angeles Times sports reporter Sam Farmer announced the news on Twitter Monday, writing, “My neighbor, friend, and one of the wisest, most talented and kindest people I’ve ever met, Philip Baker Hall, died peacefully last night. He was surrounded by loved ones. The world has an empty space in it.”

In a statement to PEOPLE, Hall’s family says, “Our beloved Philip died quietly at home in Glendale, surrounded by his loving family.”

Hall is known for movie roles in director Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 film Magnolia and his 1997 film Boogie Nights, both of which earned Hall SAG Award nominations as part of the cast ensembles. On television, Hall had brief yet memorable parts on Seinfeld (he was Lt. Bookman in “The Library” episode) and Modern Family, as the Dunphy family’s neighbor Walt Kleezak.

“It’s always fun to have a good part on one of the best shows on TV. It’s a great show, and I’m grateful for the time I got to be on there,” he told A.V. Club back in 2012 of his Modern Family character.

The actor also appeared in the Rush Hour movies, 50/50, Zodiac, Bruce Almighty and the 1998 Psycho remake. Additionally, he played Richard Nixon in Robert Altman’s 1984 movie Secret Honor.

RELATED: Celebrities Who’ve Died in 2022

Philip Baker Hall

CREDIT: AMANDA EDWARDS/GETTY

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE‘s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

One of his final red carpet appearances was in March 2017 at the Hollywood premiere of The Last Word, posing for photos alongside Anne Heche, Thomas Sadoski, Shirley MacLaine, Ann’Jewel Lee and Amanda Seyfried.

In his 2012 A.V. Club interview, Hall spoke about being a frequent collaborator with writer/director Anderson, saying “somehow we were drawn together” when they met.

“We had coffee and cigarettes between the takes and got to know each other a little bit, and it was obvious to an experienced actor that he was unusual,” he said at the time. “… There was something of the golden child about Paul, even when I had not seen one line of his writing. Just talking to him and listening to him talk and getting to know him a little bit on the set, it seemed like this was not your everyday person.”

Philip Baker Hall

Philip Baker Hall in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Hard Eight (1996) | CREDIT: MARK TILLIE/RYSHER/KOBAL/SHUTTERSTOCK

Hall also recalled becoming a west coast working actor after building a “sizable” résumé in New York City.

“I don’t know why I left New York. Looking back, I almost wish I hadn’t left New York,” he said, adding of his difficulty getting an agent in Los Angeles versus N.Y.C.: “But this is not quite true in L.A. Unless you look like Tom Cruise did at 23 or something. If you’re just coming out there, and you’re not in your early 20s and look like a Greek god, and you’re out there without some representation or at least some central film in your bag, I would have to say that you almost don’t have a chance. Or at least when I came out in the ’70s you didn’t.”

Philip Baker Hall

CREDIT: L. COHEN/WIREIMAGE

He added, “I was about 40 years old then. There’s a bottom line of money and career, and looking at me, they had to make decisions, and a lot of them said, ‘Judging by this résumé, you’re probably a skilled actor, I have no doubt, but there are a lot of people in line ahead of you.’ I remember a couple of agents actually used that phrase: ‘There’s a lot of people your age in front of you who’ve been out here for 20 years, who actually know how this game is played, and who are very skilled in front of a camera.’ And I must admit, I was not confident or skilled in front of a camera. I absolutely was not.”

“In those first jobs, I was lacking in confidence, and I did feel there are things to be learned here, and I haven’t learned them. And I wasn’t even sure how to learn them. It was the kind of things that, especially at my age, after so many years of working in the theater, you can’t study in the book or memorize or even ask somebody, ‘How do you appear relaxed and casual and yet get the job done in front of the camera with a hundred crew people looking on?’ ” he recalled of moving into film and television. “Not to mention the other actors, many of whom when I first started were probably prominent or even stars. You’ve got to deliver the goods, but you’re scared to death. Which I certainly was, at least in the beginning.”

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  2. MOVIES

Ray Liotta, Goodfellas Actor and Emmy Winner, Dead at 67

The actor is survived by fiancée Jacy Nittolo and daughter Karsen, 23By Benjamin VanHooseadvertisement×00:2101:09https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.517.2_en.html#goog_1760055687

Ray Liotta has died. The Emmy Award winner was 67.

The Goodfellas actor died in his sleep in the Dominican Republic, PEOPLE confirms. He was engaged to fiancée Jacy Nittolo, and he was dad to daughter Karsen, 23, with ex-wife Michelle Grace.

A source tells PEOPLE no foul play is suspected in his death and that Nittolo was with him when he passed.

Deadline was first to report the news.

Liotta spoke to PEOPLE in November about how his personality differed from the tough-guy roles he played in TV and film. “I have never been in a fight at all, except for during sports, and that’s just pushing and goofy kid stuff,” he said at the time.

For more on the death of Ray Liotta, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-people-every-day-76003809/episode/ray-liotta-dead-at-67-taking-97521753/?embed=true

He added of his career, “It’s weird how this business works, because I’ve definitely had a career that’s up and down. For some reason, I’ve been busier this year than I have in all the years that I’ve been doing this. And I still feel I’m not there yet. I just think there’s a lot more.”

CREDIT: ELISABETH CAREN/CONTOUR/GETTY

The star recently appeared in the Sopranos prequel movie The Many Saints of Newark and the Amazon Prime series Hanna, and he was currently filming the movie Dangerous Waters.

RELATED: Inside Ray Liotta’s Romance with Fiancée Jacy Nittolo — and How His Daughter Set Them Up: ‘Love of My Life’

CREDIT: AARON RAPOPORT/CORBIS/GETTY

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE‘s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Liotta revealed his engagement to Nittolo, a mom of four, on Christmas in 2020, writing on Instagram, “Christmas wishes do come true. I asked the love of my life to marry me, and thank God she said yes!!!”

He also opened up to PEOPLE about not taking family for granted. Raised in New Jersey, the star was adopted from an orphanage as a baby by his father Alfred, an auto parts store owner, and mom Mary.

RELATED: Celebrities Who’ve Died in 2022

“At first, I didn’t understand how a parent could give up a child,” he said. “So I had that kind of energy of just being like, that’s f—ed up. And then when I finally met my birth mom in my 40s, by then, I wasn’t as angry about it. It’s just another journey.”

Added Liotta, “After years, you grow up, and you just see the pattern of things. I’ve definitely developed more patience. Now I’m grateful for my health. And being born. For my parents that adopted me. I mean, it could have gone a lot of different ways.”PEOPLE.com

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  1. PEOPLE.COM
  2. MOVIES
  3. MagnoliaandModern FamilyActor Philip Baker Hall Dead at 90

Magnolia and Modern Family Actor Philip Baker Hall Dead at 90

Philip Baker Hall’s friend and neighbor, who announced his death, called the actor “one of the wisest, most talented and kindest people I’ve ever met”By Benjamin VanHooseJune 13, 2022 02:20 PMadvertisementFBTweetMore

Philip Baker Hall

CREDIT: MICHAEL TRAN/FILMMAGIC

Philip Baker Hall, an actor whose career spanned more than 50 years, has died. He was 90.

Los Angeles Times sports reporter Sam Farmer announced the news on Twitter Monday, writing, “My neighbor, friend, and one of the wisest, most talented and kindest people I’ve ever met, Philip Baker Hall, died peacefully last night. He was surrounded by loved ones. The world has an empty space in it.”

In a statement to PEOPLE, Hall’s family says, “Our beloved Philip died quietly at home in Glendale, surrounded by his loving family.”

Hall is known for movie roles in director Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 film Magnolia and his 1997 film Boogie Nights, both of which earned Hall SAG Award nominations as part of the cast ensembles. On television, Hall had brief yet memorable parts on Seinfeld (he was Lt. Bookman in “The Library” episode) and Modern Family, as the Dunphy family’s neighbor Walt Kleezak.

“It’s always fun to have a good part on one of the best shows on TV. It’s a great show, and I’m grateful for the time I got to be on there,” he told A.V. Club back in 2012 of his Modern Family character.

The actor also appeared in the Rush Hour movies, 50/50, Zodiac, Bruce Almighty and the 1998 Psycho remake. Additionally, he played Richard Nixon in Robert Altman’s 1984 movie Secret Honor.

RELATED: Celebrities Who’ve Died in 2022

Philip Baker Hall

CREDIT: AMANDA EDWARDS/GETTY

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE‘s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

One of his final red carpet appearances was in March 2017 at the Hollywood premiere of The Last Word, posing for photos alongside Anne Heche, Thomas Sadoski, Shirley MacLaine, Ann’Jewel Lee and Amanda Seyfried.

In his 2012 A.V. Club interview, Hall spoke about being a frequent collaborator with writer/director Anderson, saying “somehow we were drawn together” when they met.

“We had coffee and cigarettes between the takes and got to know each other a little bit, and it was obvious to an experienced actor that he was unusual,” he said at the time. “… There was something of the golden child about Paul, even when I had not seen one line of his writing. Just talking to him and listening to him talk and getting to know him a little bit on the set, it seemed like this was not your everyday person.”

Philip Baker Hall

Philip Baker Hall in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Hard Eight (1996) | CREDIT: MARK TILLIE/RYSHER/KOBAL/SHUTTERSTOCK

Hall also recalled becoming a west coast working actor after building a “sizable” résumé in New York City.

“I don’t know why I left New York. Looking back, I almost wish I hadn’t left New York,” he said, adding of his difficulty getting an agent in Los Angeles versus N.Y.C.: “But this is not quite true in L.A. Unless you look like Tom Cruise did at 23 or something. If you’re just coming out there, and you’re not in your early 20s and look like a Greek god, and you’re out there without some representation or at least some central film in your bag, I would have to say that you almost don’t have a chance. Or at least when I came out in the ’70s you didn’t.”

Philip Baker Hall

CREDIT: L. COHEN/WIREIMAGE

He added, “I was about 40 years old then. There’s a bottom line of money and career, and looking at me, they had to make decisions, and a lot of them said, ‘Judging by this résumé, you’re probably a skilled actor, I have no doubt, but there are a lot of people in line ahead of you.’ I remember a couple of agents actually used that phrase: ‘There’s a lot of people your age in front of you who’ve been out here for 20 years, who actually know how this game is played, and who are very skilled in front of a camera.’ And I must admit, I was not confident or skilled in front of a camera. I absolutely was not.”

“In those first jobs, I was lacking in confidence, and I did feel there are things to be learned here, and I haven’t learned them. And I wasn’t even sure how to learn them. It was the kind of things that, especially at my age, after so many years of working in the theater, you can’t study in the book or memorize or even ask somebody, ‘How do you appear relaxed and casual and yet get the job done in front of the camera with a hundred crew people looking on?’ ” he recalled of moving into film and television. “Not to mention the other actors, many of whom when I first started were probably prominent or even stars. You’ve got to deliver the goods, but you’re scared to death. Which I certainly was, at least in the beginning.”

Popular in Movies

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Scroll Down For the Next Article 

  1. PEOPLE.COM
  2. MOVIES

Ray Liotta, Goodfellas Actor and Emmy Winner, Dead at 67

The actor is survived by fiancée Jacy Nittolo and daughter Karsen, 23By Benjamin VanHooseadvertisement×00:2101:09https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.517.2_en.html#goog_1760055687

Ray Liotta has died. The Emmy Award winner was 67.

The Goodfellas actor died in his sleep in the Dominican Republic, PEOPLE confirms. He was engaged to fiancée Jacy Nittolo, and he was dad to daughter Karsen, 23, with ex-wife Michelle Grace.

A source tells PEOPLE no foul play is suspected in his death and that Nittolo was with him when he passed.

Deadline was first to report the news.

Liotta spoke to PEOPLE in November about how his personality differed from the tough-guy roles he played in TV and film. “I have never been in a fight at all, except for during sports, and that’s just pushing and goofy kid stuff,” he said at the time.

For more on the death of Ray Liotta, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-people-every-day-76003809/episode/ray-liotta-dead-at-67-taking-97521753/?embed=true

He added of his career, “It’s weird how this business works, because I’ve definitely had a career that’s up and down. For some reason, I’ve been busier this year than I have in all the years that I’ve been doing this. And I still feel I’m not there yet. I just think there’s a lot more.”

CREDIT: ELISABETH CAREN/CONTOUR/GETTY

The star recently appeared in the Sopranos prequel movie The Many Saints of Newark and the Amazon Prime series Hanna, and he was currently filming the movie Dangerous Waters.

RELATED: Inside Ray Liotta’s Romance with Fiancée Jacy Nittolo — and How His Daughter Set Them Up: ‘Love of My Life’

CREDIT: AARON RAPOPORT/CORBIS/GETTY

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE‘s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Liotta revealed his engagement to Nittolo, a mom of four, on Christmas in 2020, writing on Instagram, “Christmas wishes do come true. I asked the love of my life to marry me, and thank God she said yes!!!”

He also opened up to PEOPLE about not taking family for granted. Raised in New Jersey, the star was adopted from an orphanage as a baby by his father Alfred, an auto parts store owner, and mom Mary.

RELATED: Celebrities Who’ve Died in 2022

“At first, I didn’t understand how a parent could give up a child,” he said. “So I had that kind of energy of just being like, that’s f—ed up. And then when I finally met my birth mom in my 40s, by then, I wasn’t as angry about it. It’s just another journey.”

Added Liotta, “After years, you grow up, and you just see the pattern of things. I’ve definitely developed more patience. Now I’m grateful for my health. And being born. For my parents that adopted me. I mean, it could have gone a lot of different ways.”PEOPLE.com

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Subscribe to Our NewsletterMeredith© Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab. People is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tabTerms of Servicethis link opens in a new tabAd Choicesthis link opens in a new tabManage Push Notificationsthis link opens in a new tabCalifornia Do Not SellWeb Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tabthis link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.

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  1. PEOPLE.COM
  2. MOVIES
  3. MagnoliaandModern FamilyActor Philip Baker Hall Dead at 90

Magnolia and Modern Family Actor Philip Baker Hall Dead at 90

Philip Baker Hall’s friend and neighbor, who announced his death, called the actor “one of the wisest, most talented and kindest people I’ve ever met”By Benjamin VanHooseJune 13, 2022 02:20 PMadvertisementFBTweetMore

Philip Baker Hall

CREDIT: MICHAEL TRAN/FILMMAGIC

Philip Baker Hall, an actor whose career spanned more than 50 years, has died. He was 90.

Los Angeles Times sports reporter Sam Farmer announced the news on Twitter Monday, writing, “My neighbor, friend, and one of the wisest, most talented and kindest people I’ve ever met, Philip Baker Hall, died peacefully last night. He was surrounded by loved ones. The world has an empty space in it.”

In a statement to PEOPLE, Hall’s family says, “Our beloved Philip died quietly at home in Glendale, surrounded by his loving family.”

Hall is known for movie roles in director Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 film Magnolia and his 1997 film Boogie Nights, both of which earned Hall SAG Award nominations as part of the cast ensembles. On television, Hall had brief yet memorable parts on Seinfeld (he was Lt. Bookman in “The Library” episode) and Modern Family, as the Dunphy family’s neighbor Walt Kleezak.

“It’s always fun to have a good part on one of the best shows on TV. It’s a great show, and I’m grateful for the time I got to be on there,” he told A.V. Club back in 2012 of his Modern Family character.

The actor also appeared in the Rush Hour movies, 50/50, Zodiac, Bruce Almighty and the 1998 Psycho remake. Additionally, he played Richard Nixon in Robert Altman’s 1984 movie Secret Honor.

RELATED: Celebrities Who’ve Died in 2022

Philip Baker Hall

CREDIT: AMANDA EDWARDS/GETTY

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE‘s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

One of his final red carpet appearances was in March 2017 at the Hollywood premiere of The Last Word, posing for photos alongside Anne Heche, Thomas Sadoski, Shirley MacLaine, Ann’Jewel Lee and Amanda Seyfried.

In his 2012 A.V. Club interview, Hall spoke about being a frequent collaborator with writer/director Anderson, saying “somehow we were drawn together” when they met.

“We had coffee and cigarettes between the takes and got to know each other a little bit, and it was obvious to an experienced actor that he was unusual,” he said at the time. “… There was something of the golden child about Paul, even when I had not seen one line of his writing. Just talking to him and listening to him talk and getting to know him a little bit on the set, it seemed like this was not your everyday person.”

Philip Baker Hall

Philip Baker Hall in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Hard Eight (1996) | CREDIT: MARK TILLIE/RYSHER/KOBAL/SHUTTERSTOCK

Hall also recalled becoming a west coast working actor after building a “sizable” résumé in New York City.

“I don’t know why I left New York. Looking back, I almost wish I hadn’t left New York,” he said, adding of his difficulty getting an agent in Los Angeles versus N.Y.C.: “But this is not quite true in L.A. Unless you look like Tom Cruise did at 23 or something. If you’re just coming out there, and you’re not in your early 20s and look like a Greek god, and you’re out there without some representation or at least some central film in your bag, I would have to say that you almost don’t have a chance. Or at least when I came out in the ’70s you didn’t.”

Philip Baker Hall

CREDIT: L. COHEN/WIREIMAGE

He added, “I was about 40 years old then. There’s a bottom line of money and career, and looking at me, they had to make decisions, and a lot of them said, ‘Judging by this résumé, you’re probably a skilled actor, I have no doubt, but there are a lot of people in line ahead of you.’ I remember a couple of agents actually used that phrase: ‘There’s a lot of people your age in front of you who’ve been out here for 20 years, who actually know how this game is played, and who are very skilled in front of a camera.’ And I must admit, I was not confident or skilled in front of a camera. I absolutely was not.”

“In those first jobs, I was lacking in confidence, and I did feel there are things to be learned here, and I haven’t learned them. And I wasn’t even sure how to learn them. It was the kind of things that, especially at my age, after so many years of working in the theater, you can’t study in the book or memorize or even ask somebody, ‘How do you appear relaxed and casual and yet get the job done in front of the camera with a hundred crew people looking on?’ ” he recalled of moving into film and television. “Not to mention the other actors, many of whom when I first started were probably prominent or even stars. You’ve got to deliver the goods, but you’re scared to death. Which I certainly was, at least in the beginning.”

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Ray Liotta, Goodfellas Actor and Emmy Winner, Dead at 67

The actor is survived by fiancée Jacy Nittolo and daughter Karsen, 23By Benjamin VanHooseadvertisement×00:2101:09https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.517.2_en.html#goog_1760055687

Ray Liotta has died. The Emmy Award winner was 67.

The Goodfellas actor died in his sleep in the Dominican Republic, PEOPLE confirms. He was engaged to fiancée Jacy Nittolo, and he was dad to daughter Karsen, 23, with ex-wife Michelle Grace.

A source tells PEOPLE no foul play is suspected in his death and that Nittolo was with him when he passed.

Deadline was first to report the news.

Liotta spoke to PEOPLE in November about how his personality differed from the tough-guy roles he played in TV and film. “I have never been in a fight at all, except for during sports, and that’s just pushing and goofy kid stuff,” he said at the time.

For more on the death of Ray Liotta, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-people-every-day-76003809/episode/ray-liotta-dead-at-67-taking-97521753/?embed=true

He added of his career, “It’s weird how this business works, because I’ve definitely had a career that’s up and down. For some reason, I’ve been busier this year than I have in all the years that I’ve been doing this. And I still feel I’m not there yet. I just think there’s a lot more.”

CREDIT: ELISABETH CAREN/CONTOUR/GETTY

The star recently appeared in the Sopranos prequel movie The Many Saints of Newark and the Amazon Prime series Hanna, and he was currently filming the movie Dangerous Waters.

RELATED: Inside Ray Liotta’s Romance with Fiancée Jacy Nittolo — and How His Daughter Set Them Up: ‘Love of My Life’

CREDIT: AARON RAPOPORT/CORBIS/GETTY

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE‘s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Liotta revealed his engagement to Nittolo, a mom of four, on Christmas in 2020, writing on Instagram, “Christmas wishes do come true. I asked the love of my life to marry me, and thank God she said yes!!!”

He also opened up to PEOPLE about not taking family for granted. Raised in New Jersey, the star was adopted from an orphanage as a baby by his father Alfred, an auto parts store owner, and mom Mary.

RELATED: Celebrities Who’ve Died in 2022

“At first, I didn’t understand how a parent could give up a child,” he said. “So I had that kind of energy of just being like, that’s f—ed up. And then when I finally met my birth mom in my 40s, by then, I wasn’t as angry about it. It’s just another journey.”

Added Liotta, “After years, you grow up, and you just see the pattern of things. I’ve definitely developed more patience. Now I’m grateful for my health. And being born. For my parents that adopted me. I mean, it could have gone a lot of different ways.”PEOPLE.com

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