Henry Hill didn’t become famous the easy way. As far back as he could remember, he always wanted to be a gangster. We may never have heard of Henry, who professes that he has never killed anyone, had it not been for the Nicholas Pileggi book Wiseguy, which was later adapted by Martin Scorsese into the film Goodfellas. Hill, who was portrayed by Ray Liotta, was the central protagonist in that film. Henry Hill himself, who had been ejected from witness protection for his role in numerous crimes while under federal protection, served as a technical advisor on the film.
Apparently getting whacked these days isn’t a concern for Hill, whose testimony led to 50 convictions in the early 1980’s. He was right there as announced, signing autographs and selling his artwork at the Hollywood Show in Burbank on Saturday, April 24, 2010. The artwork was composed of rudimentary, yet pleasing, watercolors, typically of scenes from the film Goodfellas or references to his life of crime through quotes from the film. Chris Serrone, who portrayed young Henry in the film, told me later that year that Hill would also come cook a meal at your house if the price was right.
I chose to purchase a scene depicting his rural life after entering the witness protection program, with the quote “Now I can live the rest of my life like a shnook”. I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse…and he threw in a free signed 8×10 photo and a picture with him.
The phrase he put on the signed photo at the top of the posting didn’t have anything to do with me trying to sneak off without giving him the $40. It’s actually a line that Ray Liotta speaks a few times in the film. I quickly got my photo with him and then moved away, keeping an eye out for any henchmen of Paulie or Jimmy who might be coming around to whack us.
Celebrity encounters from the Spring Hollywood Show will continue…
“My daughter tells me you’re half-Jewish…”
Damn it. I could watch that movie everyday.
Eric Hubble
December 1st, 2010