With 2022 coming to an end, we reflect back on the personalities, icons, and celebrities we lost in the Italian community this year. These 20 men and women of Italian descent made important contributions in the areas of cinema, art, music, cuisine, fashion, journalism, commerce, and sport. 

Ray Liotta (December 18, 1954 – May 26, 2022): The death of the beloved actor who was well-known for his iconic roles in Goodfellas, Field of Dreams, and Blow, sent shock waves through the Italian American community in 2022. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Liotta was adopted by parents of Italian and Scottish descent.