The Peculiar Reason Ray Liotta Used To Watch Brain Surgeries

Hannibal Lecter is one of the best-known characters in film history. Although the character's first appearance was in the 1981 book "Red Dragon" by Thomas Harris, perhaps his best-known and most critically acclaimed appearance came in 1991's Oscar-winning film "The Silence of the Lambs," in which the murderous Dr. Lector was played by Sir Anthony Hopkins (via Thrillist).

Hopkins returned to his iconic role on a few occasions, including 2002's "Red Dragon," but 2001's Ridley Scott-helmed "Hannibal" is the movie that we need to talk about. "Hannibal" is the sequel to "The Silence of the Lambs," but to many (caution: spoilers ahead), it's known for a single scene that features Ray Liotta — best known for his roles in "Goodfellas" and "Field of Dreams" — eating his own brain. (No, you didn't misread it.)

In the film, Liotta plays a Justice Department representative named Paul Krendler, and in one of the film's final scenes, Lecter has him seated in a wheelchair at a table with Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore). According to Filmsite, Dr. Lecter removes the top of Krendler's head and cuts out a small piece of his brain. Lecter then cooks it up and feeds it to Krendler.