Goodfellas features a large ensemble cast led by Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci, with key support from Lorraine Bracco and Paul Sorvino. The film’s cast is widely praised for defining the modern gangster movie and launching or boosting many actors’ careers.

Main cast and roles

  • Ray Liotta as Henry Hill, the narrator and central figure whose life in the mob the film follows.
  • Robert De Niro as James “Jimmy” Conway , a seasoned, calculating gangster and mentor figure.
  • Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito , a volatile and violent associate whose behavior drives several key turning points.
  • Lorraine Bracco as Karen Hill , Henry’s wife, whose perspective adds a domestic and emotional layer to the story.
  • Paul Sorvino as Paulie Cicero , the calm but powerful neighborhood boss overseeing the crew.

Notable supporting cast

  • Frank Sivero as Frankie Carbone , one of the crew members involved in heists and day‑to‑day operations.
  • Tony Darrow as Sonny Bunz , the club owner whose place becomes a key hangout for the gang.
  • Mike Starr as Frenchy , connected to the Lufthansa heist plotline.
  • Frank Vincent as Billy Batts , a made man whose confrontation with Tommy is one of the film’s most infamous scenes.
  • Chuck Low as Morris Kessler (“Morrie”), the wig salesman whose schemes and demands escalate tensions.

Cameos and smaller roles

  • Henny Youngman as himself , performing stand‑up in the nightclub sequence.
  • Catherine Scorsese (Martin Scorsese’s mother) as Tommy’s mother , in the dinner scene after the trunk incident.
  • Charles Scorsese as Vinnie , appearing among the neighborhood figures.
  • Debi Mazar as Sandy , one of Henry’s girlfriends later in the film.
  • Michael Imperioli as Spider , the young bar worker whose run‑ins with Tommy turn deadly.

Quick HTML table of key cast

[1][5] [5][1] [8][1] [1][5] [5][1]
Actor Role Notes
Ray Liotta Henry Hill Central protagonist and narrator.
Robert De Niro James "Jimmy" Conway Veteran gangster and mentor figure.
Joe Pesci Tommy DeVito Hot‑headed associate; Oscar‑winning performance.
Lorraine Bracco Karen Hill Henry's wife; provides a crucial outside-insider viewpoint.
Paul Sorvino Paulie Cicero Mob boss overseeing Henry's crew.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.