Hollywood Godfather: My Life in the Movies and the Mob
Written by Gianni Russo and Patrick Picciarelli
Narrated by Gianni Russo
5/5
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About this audiobook
"Gianni Russo walks the walk and talks the talk. What a life. Fascinating. A worthy read." — Robert De Niro
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.
Gianni Russo
GIANNI RUSSO has appeared in more than thirty movies, been involved in the production of several others, and appeared in numerous TV shows. His most well-known roles include parts in The Godfather: Parts I and II; Goodnight, My Love; Lepke; Laserblast; Chances Are; The Freshman; Side Out; Another You; Super Mario Bros.; Any Given Sunday; The Family Man; Seabiscuit; and Rush Hour 2. His life-long association with organized crime has made him a witness to Mob history. He is also a singer, whose shows are sold out across the country.
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Reviews for Hollywood Godfather
44 ratings6 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One of the most entertaining memoirs I have listened. The performance was great and it was one of the few audiobooks I listened 1x.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Riveting! It’s like Mr. Russo lived every James Bond movie in one lifetime. And, hearing him read his story was priceless. I didn’t want the adventure to end and I’ve highly recommended it to all who will listen :)
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Phenomenal book.. very interesting to hear the book read by Mr. Russo.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very interesting, what an interesting life this guy has lived.!! Wow
Such an interesting life - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great listen. Kept me listening everyday, hated to have it end. If you are a fan of The Godfather and mafia stories, this book will not disappoint.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Great listen, I have a cpl questions tho, I'm from south Philly and growing up here is alot like gianni in NY, it was part of life.. but giannis story is great, and if it's all true,even better!! ,But cpl things r bothering me,how he said Mr.neils last name, he pronounced his last name as del'acroco?? It was Neil Delacroce,rhymes w like jim croce,If he knew Neil personally,then?? Can't b narrator cause he is the narrator. So wats up w that Gianni? Delacroco? Like rhymes w cocoa? Cpl other things,I didn hear u mention when chin shot frank,when he was just a a soldier, or mention who gave the order.unless I missed that part,when chin shot your guy frank? I'll go back n check,cause that's a big omission,I didn't hear about frank retiring after that?! Could I have missed the whole chin shooting frank in the head thing? And frank sayin in court a cpl o Puerto Ricans did it. And chin sayin hi frank or thanx alot frank on way out. I'll re edit this later. I wanna review and add a few more discrepancies, there was a few more that raised my eyebrow. I apologize Mr. Russo if I'm wrong in any way, But let me say ,it's a GREAT F'N Book!! I really loved it and am telling any body who loves mob books, You can't go wrong! No way!!!I didn't want it to end! Great job!! With All due respect sir!