Butt-Kicking Kids

‘The Godfather’ 40 Years Later

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Four Decades of ... Click through to revisit “The Godfather's" most memorable characters and to see what became of the actors who played them.-Xfinity Entertainment Programmers

(Photos: Paramount; Ian Gavan, Getty Images; Christopher Polk, Getty Images)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Marlon Brando His Character: Don Vito Corleone

Corleone is a Sicilian immigrant who moves to New York, where he uses an olive oil importing business as a front for his organized crime syndicate that soon blossoms into one of the most powerful crime families in the country.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

Named by Time magazine as one of its 100 Persons of the Century in 1999, Brando looms as a giant in the world of cinema. Director Martin Scorsese characterized him as ”the marker. There's 'before Brando' and 'after Brando,’” while Jack Nicholson once said, "When Marlon dies, everybody moves up one." Brando died of respiratory failure in 2004 at the age of 80.-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; Frank Micelotta, Getty Images)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
James Caan His Character: Sonny Corleone

The eldest son of Don Vito Corleone, the hotheaded Sonny is the heir apparent to the family throne until he is murdered in a plot partially orchestrated by his own brother-in-law, Carlo.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

Caan has enjoyed a long and varied career, with celebrated roles in movies ranging from “Misery” to “Elf.” He also enjoyed a five-year run on TV in the hit series “Las Vegas.” In February, he joined son Scott Caan for a guest spot on “Hawaii Five-O.”-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; Michael Buckner, Getty Images)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Al Pacino His Character: Michael Corleone

The youngest son of Don Vito Corleone, Michael is the tragic hero of the “Godfather trilogy.” The first film details his transformation from a mild-mannered young man eyeing a career in politics to the ruthless leader of the most powerful crime family in America.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

Pacino went on to establish himself as one of the premier actors of his generation, with acclaimed roles in movies including “Scarface,” “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “Dog Day Afternoon” and “Scent of a Woman,” for which he won he Academy Award for Best Actor. In 2010, he won an Emmy for his portrayal of Dr. Jack Kevorkian in the HBO film “You Don't Know Jack.” Up next is his animated film debut as the voice of a villain in the 2013 sequel to “Despicable Me.”-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; Ian Gavan, Getty Images)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Diane Keaton Her Character: Kay Adams

Michael’s college sweetheart waits for him while he hides out in Sicily following his assassination of Virgil Sollozzo and Captain McCluskey. She marries him unaware of his previous marriage to Apollonia, with the agreement that Michael will legitimize the Corleone family business within five years. We all know how well that worked out.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

After making her name as Kay in “The Godfather,” Keaton quickly established herself as a comedic actress opposite Woody Allen in a series of films that included the title role of “Annie Hall,” for which she received a Best Actress Oscar. In 2013, she will reunite with “Godfather II” co-star Robert De Niro in the ensemble comedy “The Big Wedding.”-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; Jason Merritt, Getty Images)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Robert Duvall His Character: Tom Hagen

The informally adopted son of Vito Corleone, Hagen serves as the family lawyer and consigliere, negotiating deals with characters like movie studio head Jack Woltz (who eventually gets a horse head in his bed), and remains loyal to the Corleone clan even after temporarily losing his position during the assassination plot involving the rival New York City Dons.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

The 81-year-old screen legend has won an Oscar, two Emmys and four Golden Globes as an acclaimed actor and director. His post-”Godfather” work has included celebrated roles in “Apocalypse Now,” “Network,” “Tender Mercies,” “Get Low” and “The Apostle,” the latter of which he wrote, directed, produced and starred in. Duvall recently appeared in the Tom Cruise film "Jack Reacher," and is slated to star in the movie “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.”-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; Christopher Polk, Getty Images)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Talia Shire Her Character: Connie Corleone

Connie is the youngest child, and only daughter, of Don Vito Corleone and Carmela Corleone, and is the sister of Sonny, Fredo and eventual Godfather Michael Corleone. She upsets her father by marrying Carlo Rizzi, a small-time hood of Northern Italian descent, and only gains her father’s approval by agreeing to hold an old-style Sicilian wedding.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

Following her breakout role as Connie in “The Godfather” and “The Godfather Part II” (a role she landed in part because she is the sister of director Francis Ford Coppola), Shire achieved greater fame as Adrian, the main love interest in the “Rocky” series. Recent roles include 2002’s “Kiss the Bride” and 2005’s “I Heart Huckabees.”-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; Charley Gallay, Getty Images)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Abe Vigoda His Character: Salvatore Tessio

After getting his start as a low-level thug alongside a young Vito Corleone and Peter Clemenza, Tessio becomes one of Don Vito’s main capos. He is unhappy with new Don Michael Corleone, however, and ultimately arranges for Michael’s assassination under the rouse of a pace summit. He is found out, however, and is dealt with accordingly.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

The 91-year-old actor’s career has included films as diverse as “The Godfather” and “Good Burger,” but he really made his name on TV as Detective Sgt. Phil Fish on both “Barney Miller” and its subsequent spinoff, “Fish.” He’s done little work in recent years (his last movie credit is for a 2008 project titled “The Unknown Trilogy”), but he did step into the public eye in 2010 for a Super Bowl commercial co-starring Betty White.-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; Michael Loccisano, Getty Images)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
John Cazale His Character: Fredo Corleone

The middle son of Vito Corleone, Fredo lacks the intelligence and strength of his brothers, and is therefore passed over as the new Don of the family following the assassination of Sonny. After being sent to Vegas following the hit attempt on his father, Fredo learns the casino business and gains fleeting power, until his resentment of Michael gets the best of him in “Godfather II.”
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

Cazale’s career was short but impressive. He has just three movie credits beyond the“Godfather” saga, and each featured a “Godfather” co-star: “The Conversation” with Robert Duvall, “Dog Day Afternoon” with Al Pacino (pictured above right), and “The Deer Hunter” with Robert De Niro. Each of his five films was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. He filmed his scenes in “The Deer Hunter” after being diagnosed with terminal bone cancer, and died from the disease in 1978 before the remainder of the film had been completed.-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; WB)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Richard Castella... His Character: Peter Clemenza

Clemenza serves as capo for Don Vito Corleone and is one of the Godfather’s closest friend and allies. Clemenza is key to several big moments in “The Godfather.” He teaches Michael Corleone how to use a gun prior to the latter’s assassination of Virgil Sollozzo and Police Captain McCluskey. He also takes out treasonous family member Carlo Rizzi, and offers one of the film’s most memorable lines after one of his henchmen murders another: "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

Castellano’s most memorable role may have come prior to the “Godfather” series. He was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the 1970 comedy “Lovers and Other Strangers” (pictured above right). He died of a heart attack in 1988.-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; ABC)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Sterling Hayden His Character: Captain McCluskey

This corrupt cop picked the wrong family to mess with. After breaking Michael Corleone’s jaw during an assassination attempt on Don Vito alongside drug lord Virgil Sollozzo, McCluskey gets what’s coming to him in a now-iconic restaurant scene.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

A respected character actor, the 6’5” Hayden is also remembered for his roles in “Johnny Guitar,” “Dr. Strangelove” (pictured above right) and “The Long Goodbye.” He died in 1986 of prostate cancer at the age 70.-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; Columbia)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
John Marley His Character: Jack Woltz

This famed Hollywood producer doesn’t like Tom Hagen’s suggestion that he cast singer Johnny Fontane in his new war film, not even as a favor to Don Vito Corleone. He has an abrupt change of mind, however, after waking up one morning beside the decapitated head of his prized horse.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

Marley was a prolific actor who appeared in more than 150 movies and TV shows. Apart from his brief appearance in “The Godfather,” Marley’s most memorable roles include his Oscar-nominated supporting part in “Love Story” (pictured above right) and his recurring role as D.W. Banner, the father of David Banner, in the televised version of “The Incredible Hulk.” Marley died in 1984 at the age of 76 following open-heart surgery.-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Richard Conte His Character: Emilio Barzini

As the head of one of New York’s Five Families, Barzini was second behind only Don Vito Corleone as the most powerful mob boss in the country. After Don Corleone refuses to join him in a drug trade, Barzini conspires with Corleone’s son-in-law Carlo to assassinate Sonny Corleone, Vito’s oldest son. He later meets his end by orders of the new Don Corleone, Michael.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

After launching his career as a Broadway star in the late 1930s, Conte transitioned into film, where he thrived throughout the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s. He starred in four films alongside Frank Sinatra, including the original “Ocean’s Eleven” (pictured above right, with Sinatra and Peter Lawford) before dying of a heart attack in 1975 at the age of 65.-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; WB)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Al Lettieri His Character: Virgil Sollozzo

Drug lord Virgil Sollozzo enlists the help of New York Tattaglia family to run his heroin trade, but bristles when Don Vito Corleone refuses to give him money and protection. After attempting to assassinate Vito, abducting Tom Hagen, and murdering Luca Brasi, Sollozzo meets his fate at the hands of new Don Michael Corleone.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

This real-life tough guy attributed much of his menacing on-screen attitude to his off-screen relationships with criminals like Joey Gallo. Following his appearance in “The Godfather,” he played similar heavies alongside Hollywood legends like Steve McQueen, John Wayne and Charles Bronson (in “Mr. Majestyk,” pictured above right). Lettieri died of a heart attack in 1975 at the age of 47.-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; United Artists)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Gianni Russo His Character: Carlo Rizzi

After running into trouble with the law, Nevada native Carlo Rizzi flees to New York, where he meets a young man named Sonny Corleone, who in turn introduces him to his future wife, Connie Corleone. The two marry, despite initial reservations from Connie’s father, Don Vito Corleone. Carlo regularly abuses his wife, for which he receives a righteous beatdown from Sonny. Unhappy about his public shaming, Carlo arranges for Sonny’s assassination with Emilio Barzini. It takes seven years, but Rizzi eventually gets what’s coming to him.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

Russo’s off-screen life is nearly as fascinating as that of the character he portrayed in “The Godfather.” Russo claims to have real-life mafia ties with the Gambino family, and says he has personally known three popes and five presidents, and lists Marilyn Monroe, Liza Minnelli and Zsa Zsa Gabor among his former lovers. The 68-year-old actor has starred in 35 films, including “Seabiscuit,” “The Freshman” and “Any Given Sunday” alongside “Godfather” co-star Al Pacino. He is currently trying to establish himself as a Dean Martin-style lounge singer.-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; Bryan Bedder, Getty Images)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Rudy Bond His Character: Carmine Cuneo

As the Don of one of New York’s Five Families, Carmine is one of four backers of Sollozzo’s heroin trade, and conspires with Barzini and Carlo to assassinate Sonny. He is killed with all of the other Dons in a mass plot by Michael Corleone to eliminate the other families. He meets his end after being trapped in a revolving hotel door.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

Rudy Bond enjoyed a lengthy career on TV, in films and on Broadway that included roles in such iconic movies as “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “On the Waterfront” (both alongside Marlon Brando) and “12 Angry Men” (pictured above right). He died of a heart attack in 1982 at the age of 79.-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; MGM)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Alex Rocco His Character: Moe Greene

One of Las Vegas’ founding fathers, Greene takes Fredo Corleone under his tutelage during the war of the Five Families as a favor to Don Vito Corleone, who bankrolled his first casino. He mistreats and disrepects Fredo, however, something Michael Corleone doesn’t accept. After denying a subsequent offer by Michael to buy out his casino, Greene is shot through the eye while getting a massage during the new Don’s massive house-cleaning session following the death of Vito Corleone.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

While he’s best known as a movie tough guy, the 76-year-old actor has also enjoyed success as a cartoon voice-over actor. His credits include “A Bug’s Life,” “Family Guy,” and “The Simpsons,” on which he plays the recurring role of Roger Meyers, Jr., the head of Itchy and Scratchy Studios.-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; Frazer Harrison, Getty Images)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Lenny Montana His Character: Luca Brasi

Arguably Don Vito Corleone’s must intimidating enforcers, Brasi is a slow-witted killer, but makes up in ruthlessness what he lacks in smarts. Before the end of the first movie, however, the big brute ends up taking a nap in a place where only fishes swim.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

A former pro wrestler, the 6’6”, 320-pound Montana parlayed his acting debut in “The Godfather” into a career that included roles in “The Jerk,” “Matilda” (pictured above right) and “Magnum, P.I.” He died in Italy in 1992 of a heart attack at the age of 66.-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; American International Pictures)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
Richard Bright His Character: Al Neri

A made man within the Corleone family, Neri serves as Michael’s bodyguard upon the latter’s return from Sicily. He later guns down Barzini at Michael’s behest while disguised as a police officer.
Life Beyond ‘The Godfather’:

Most famous for his role as Al Neri, Bright went on to star in a number of tough guy roles in films like “Once Upon a Time in America” (pictured above right) and “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.” He later found success on TV in shows including “Law & Order,” “The Sopranos” and soap opera “One Life to Live,” on which he played the recurring role of Moose Mulligan. Bright was stuck and killed by a Manhattan tour bus in 2006 at the age of 68.-XFINITY Entertainment Staff

(Photos: Paramount; WB)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
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