Hollywood Godfather

My Life in the Movies and the Mob

By: Gianni Russo, Patrick Picciarelli

Narrated by: Gianni Russo

This program is read by the author and includes a bonus conversation.

The over-the-top memoir of a real-life mobster-turned-actor who helped make The Godfather a reality, and his story of life on the edge between danger and glamour.

Gianni Russo was a handsome 25-year-old mobster with no acting experience when he walked onto the set of The Godfather and entered Hollywood history. He played Carlo Rizzi, the husband of Connie Corleone, who set her brother Sonny - played by James Caan - up for a hit. Russo didn't have to act - he knew the mob inside and out: from his childhood in Little Italy, where Mafia legend Frank Costello took him under his wing, to acting as a messenger for New Orleans mob boss Carlos Marcello during the Kennedy assassination, to having to go on the lam after shooting and killing a member of the Colombian drug cartel in his Vegas club.

Along the way, Russo befriended Frank Sinatra, who became his son's godfather, and Marlon Brando, who mentored his career as an actor after trying to get Francis Ford Coppola to fire him from The Godfather. Russo had passionate affairs with Marilyn Monroe, Liza Minelli, and scores of other celebrities. He went on to star in The Godfather: Parts I and II, Seabiscuit, Any Given Sunday, and Rush Hour 2, among many other films, and also acted as producer on several. Hollywood Godfather is his no-holds-barred account of a life lived on the edge. It is a story filled with violence, glamour, sex - and fun.

©2019 Gianni Russo (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Gianni Russo walks the walk and talks the talk. What a life. Fascinating. A worthy read." (Robert De Niro)

Thank you for sharing your story

Being from Queens NY as a kid I remember hearing the stories of the families in this book and it took me back to a world that for good or bad doesn't exist anymore. There was always a certain respect on the streets that if broken could cost you dearly. But constantly seeing well dressed men have the respect from people on the streets left a lasting impression on me. I say that the days of real men are over and seems like everyone in this new world is soft. Being from NYC you grew up knowing the rules of the streets, there was a kind of order, you could see it everywhere from the local police, the men who hanged off the side of the garage trucks, the teachers in my school. It was a certain mix of fear and respect you could see in everyones eyes. The way people spoke always came off to me as respectful and when seeing a Cadillac or a Lincoln driving around your neighborhood it commanded a respect that you knew something was going on or someone broke the rules and was getting a visit. Thank you again for reminding me that the world I remember as a kid wasn't just in my head.

Very interesting!

Wow what an interesting listen! So much history in there! I highly recommend this one!

Loved it

couldn't stop listening loved every minute..what a stud biy it its great thank you Gianni

Fantastic life story, as read by Author

I have heard some of the story's when Mr Russo has been interviewed. WOW what a story.

Super fun

Just felt like I lived The Godfather movie. He is a great storyteller. Well done.