Hollywood Godfather: My Life in the Movies and the Mob

by Gianni Russo, Patrick W. Picciarelli

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.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Crime, Autobiography, True Crime, Memoir, Audiobook

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 12, 2019

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seems to me an ego driven project. It’s hard to believe this is not a fiction story. The author has mentioned in interviews that he has 11 children but only 2 are mentioned in the book?!
Many of the people he writes about are no longer alive to validate or dispute his book.
He writes of his own criminal activity very matter of factly.
I’m on the fence as to how much to believe of this book.

[John Lamb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Russo is like the Forest Gump of the Mafia: he pops up everywhere. He sleeps with Marilyn Monroe, helps pass information for the mob assassination of JFK, crashes Nancy Sinatra's party in a helicopter, launders money for the Pope, gets tortured by Pablo Escobar, and was in The Godfather. The last one I believe.

[Bob Kuster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of The Godfather and Casino will enjoy this book. JFK assassination buffs will want to read this book. Fans of old Hollywood and old Las Vegas will want to read this book. A lot of celebrities make an appearance in this book including Presidents and Popes. Can a movie be far behind?

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what to think or say about this book. Either he is the most connected man in the entire world or a total fantasist. Some of his stories were so unbelievable that I kept thinking they had to be entirely made up.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t doubt that 70–80% of the stories in this book are bull but it’s still an entertaining read and well-written compared to most mafia memoirs.

[Angelo Santacroce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! Your first thought will be that he has made the whole thing up. He didn't. He may have embellished a bit here and there, but I've verified some of it and I'm convinced it all happened.

It reads like a combination of Hollywood Insider and Mobster bio; like you're sitting with Russo over drinks and he's telling you stories in such a smooth, practised way that you want to call bullshit, but can't bring yourself to do it, 'cause you want to hear more.

I feel like this guy is Forest Gump and "The World's Most Interesting Man" all rolled into one. He was directly or indirectly involved with some of the most iconic events and personages in late 20th century American history: the polio epidemic (his left arm and leg), Frank Costello (Vito Corleone), Marilyn Monroe (his girlfriend at age 15 - she was 33) and other Hollywood starlets, JFK cocaine parties and assassination, Las Vegas, Sinatra (his only singing teacher) and the Rat Pack, the Godfather movies, Marlon Brando (his only acting teacher), John Gotti (tried to get him whacked), Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar (tortured and almost murdered him), Shah Palavi of Iran (hired him to get the Shah's money out during the coup), Dionne Warwick (her agent and lover), the Vatican (he was the Mafia's bag man to the Vatican laundromat, before and after John Paul I was murdered), Bill Clinton (partying with hookers and book him a military flight to Italy during 9/11)...and many more.

He's been an actor, singer, talent agent, producer, writer, night club owner, gourmet chef and teacher, motivational speaker, philanthropist, lifelong entrepreneur, scammer, killer, mobster and bag man for the mob.

He started his first business on the streets of Manhattan selling ball point pens at the age of 12 and worked his way up from there, but was never "made" or arrested. It's a lesson in what good looks, intelligence, charm and an endless supply of chutzpah can accomplish.

I didn't want to like him or the book, but it turns out I do. So sue me!

[Barry Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best known for his role as Carlo, Connie Corleone's abusive husband, who is beaten by Sonny Corleone (James Caan) and sets up his murder in the infamous toll booth scene in The Godfather, Gianni Russo was a real-life mob courier, restaurant and nightclub owner, casino debt-collector, business man, actor and producer whose own life was as complicated as anything dreamed up by a screenwriter. Having his childhood obliterated by 5 years in the Bellevue Polio ward, during which time his parents never visited him, he began a life of working in a bakery and selling ball-point pens on the street, which led to chance meeting with legendary mafia boss, Frank Costello, who took him under his wing. He began running errands for him, picking up and delivering packages and envelopes. While never a member of any crime family he was an "associate" of several. A life-long movie buff, when he read The Godfather and heard they were making it into a movie, he campaigned hard for a part in the film, even making a screen test showing himself in different roles. As fate would have it, he managed to negotiate a part, which led him to an extensive Hollywood career and many other business opportunities. It wasn't all glamour though. He recounts harrowing encounters with criminals like John Gotti and Pablo Escobar, FBI agents and shakedown artists which included gun play. One very interesting life lived on the edge. - BH.

[Lucia Colantuono · Rating 1 out of 5]

l really did not enjoy this book, and had to force myself to read it to the end.....Gianni spends the whole time bragging about his money, mob connection and supposed celebrity friends, who by the way are all dead and cannot verify whether or not the stories are true. Some of them l totally do not believe, his supposed relationship with Marilyn Monroe, the Kennedy brothers and Marlon Brando.....He constantly mentions what a tough guy he was and is and how religious, yet somehow l can't fathom how religion and mafia connections go hand in hand.....The last chapter was excruciating for me to read, and l had to skim through a lot of it. l really expected so much more from this book....it did not deliver...

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say...don't fuhgeddaboudit not reading it. Gianni Russo drops a lot of names and yes he admits it. He dishes the dirt on the Mafia, Politicians, Celebrities and more. A great book for conspiracy theorists. Either way Gianni Russo's life and times are a very interesting read.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLLYWOOD GODFATHER: MY LIFE IN THE MOVIES AND THE MOB by Gianni Russo gets a 5-star rating from me, primarily because it's a compelling story. How could it not be - Russo not only played the part of Carlo Rizzi, husband of Connie Corleone in the first Godfather film (the one with Marlon Brando), he was also a real Mafia mobster and a friend of Frank Sinatra. So, gee, what attracted me to this memoir in the first place? Well, "Godfather" was probably the first movie that my husband and I ever viewed together - back when it was originally released (yes, I am that old). I'd already read the book well before anyone knew it was going to be a movie, but my husband didn't read it until long after he saw the movie and probably after viewing all, or at least most, of the sequels. He makes a habit of watching one or more of those films at least so often. I love them too. And the fact that the author of this book was a real mob member was unknown to me until I discovered this memoir.

And what a memoir! I found it difficult to put it down. From his childhood during which he met his first mobster in NYC's "Little Italy" and where he lived in not-s0-happy circumstances, to his late teens when he had a short-term relationship with Marilyn Monroe, to his getting deeper into mob activities (yet maintaining some of his own freedom because he chose not to become a "made" member), into his desire to get a role in The Godfather movie when he heard about casting being set up, including his friendship with Marlon Brando... Then there was his tense encounter with a major drug king who was angry because he'd killed one of his dealers in self defense... There's so much more to his story as written, and I don't doubt that he's probably held some stuff back.

Does he have his regrets - you betcha he does, particularly about relationships that went sour. But it's also clear, via this memoir, about what drove him into such a life and why he always felt he had to make more money, achieve more (act in films, become a producer, own an exquisite restaurant in Vegas, etc.).

The book is well written, helped along with that part by Patrick Picciarelli (as noted on the paperback's front cover). I finished reading it within a couple days - all 280+ pages! If you loved The Godfather (movie[s] and/or the book), you should enjoy HOLLYWOOD GODFATHER by Giani Russo just a much as I did! And now that I've reviewed the book on Goodreads, my husband and our son are next in line to read my copy of it!

[Mustard Mr · Rating 1 out of 5]

Completely unbelievable. Walter Mitty of the Mafia . From the Pope to Gotti to Lee Oswald to Marilyn Monroe ; he touched bases with all of them ! Funny part is he expects the reader to believe it ! Yeah right ! Not today !

[B-Worm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gianni Russo is the Forrest Gump of the mafia. He surprisingly shows up in many historical events. What an incredible life.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A man with a very colorful past. Have read his book and watched his interviews on Youtube.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I chose this at random off the library shelf as the story sounded interesting. From gangster to actor. Not your usual career path.

I was surprised by how well written the book was. I enjoyed it! Very visual descriptions similar to watching an “R” rated bio pic or mafia movie.
His bio is so crazy & outrageous that you can’t help but be drawn in by his stories. I felt that he was fairly honest & up front about the experiences in his life. I understand how he was able to “survive in the worlds he did” as he comes across as amiable with a magnetic personality.

The negatives are that a lot of the story is so unbelievable that after a while, I took it w/a grain of salt.
Also, I felt that he did gloss over a few things which should have had more detail. (that is why I didn’t give it a higher rating)

Overall, it was a very entertaining book.
FYI: there is language, sex & violence (w/some explicit explanation)

[Eileen Fireman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gianni Russo whose claim to fame is the role as Connie's husband in the original Godfather movie with no actual acting chops to his resume. Marlon Brando gave him acting lessons during the course of the production. Along the way in his life Frank Sinatra gave him singing lessons. Albert Anastasia the mega Mafia gangster took him under his wing as a boy and made him a bag man or boy as befitting his tender age. He became mobbed up; celebrityed up; Poped up; Escobared up with insider knowledge of the Kennedy assination. He is the quintessential international man of mystery. Except his love of the limelight keeps him in the forefront. If you're anybody in this world Mr. Russo knows you. You say you don't know him? I don't either but who the hell are we? Larger than life and killing a few people along the way. Hey, a guy's gotta defend himself no? A Zelig or Forest Gump on steroids. Is it real or are bits and pieces factual? As they say on Mulberry Street (Mafia Ground Zero in New York's Little Italy), the jury is still out.

[Mikayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a true fan of Mario Puzo, The Godfather and the like this was a entertaining read. Crafting a tale that seems nothing more than what happens to somebody in the movies the writing sucks you in and rarely lets up. Gianni's recollections of his past are fresh and exciting. With these types of books I usually come away skeptical as to what was written, but this was an amazing read. JFK theorists will receive another dimension to ponder and those that are fascinated by the Italian mafia that ruled New York and Las Vegas will love to read about that too. You come away from the book thinking this is just fiction, nothing that Gianni did could happen to a normal person, but if you stop and think you realize, (maybe do some research like I did, Wow, this really did happen. This is a great read!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Godfather movie and book fan that I am, I can’t believe I’ve never heard of Gianni Russo, but I certainly won’t forget him. His involvement with the Mob spans decades. Hence, he was on the inside track with JFK, Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, and everyone in between. My eyes must have been as huge as saucers while I was reading. Russo’s ego is (admittedly) huge, but he has the cojones to write about the life he has lived. I don’t doubt his story at all, and devoured it!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated how concise this biography is. I enjoyed learning more history involving the mafia and Hollywood. And I LOVED getting some insight into the production of the the Godfather. Personally, I didn't care for the couple of anecdotes involving his sexual escapades. But, overall, this was a fun read!

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a detail of a fascinating life. However, the stories are so incredulous that they strain the bounds of credibility. The most fantastical of which all include deceased people; therefore, they can not be confirmed. Regardless of veracity, it is a good read.

[Dude_read_a_book · Rating 4 out of 5]

If half of this author’s life story is true, he is officially “The. Most Interesting Man in the World.”

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Actually, I listened to the book and it probably added a certain “realism”. Gianni Russo tells a richly colorful story of his life, from a traumatic childhood (he had polio as a young boy and spent five years in New York’s Bellevue Hospital) to a life with the mob (mostly as a money launderer and information carrier) to years of big time entrepreneur success. He lived a Zelig life. How much is true – who knows, probably most of it. Although written prosaically I haven’t had as much fun reading a book in a while.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whole lot of Hollywood, Mafioso and (I guess one could say, so I shall) international intrigue. There’s Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando. Frank Costello and John Gotti. Iran, the Vatican and Pablo Escobar. Mix all that together along with a little bit of childhood memories and you get Hollywood Godfather. For the most part, Gianni Russo and Patrick Picciarelli put together a damn entertaining yarn. Like many of the other reviews, I found a few pieces of the story a bit hard to digest. Honestly, some of Russo’s history just seems too damn incredible to believe, but what do I know? Maybe his life has played out exactly as he’s put it down in this book. If that’s the case, this man has had one hell of an adventuresome existence! Been blessed with ten lifetimes rolled into one. Anyway, to sum it up, I’ll put it like this: If you enjoy Hollywood dirt, Mafia tales and high adventure from Las Vegas to Tehran, you’re definitely going to dig this man’s life story. Just resist the urge on occasion to yell out, “Oh, c’mon!” and you’ll be fine.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

Russo seems to use a bit of hyperbole in this biography.

[Carl Gallela · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is much pleasure and entertainment to be gleaned from the pages of Gianni Russo’s Hollywood Godfather: My Life in the Movies and the Mob. That statement comes, however, with a prerequisite caveat: the reader should be fully prepared to indulge in what Samuel Taylor Coleridge described as, “That willing suspension of disbelief for the moment, that constitutes poetic faith.” Russo has placed himself as the sun in his Copernican world populated by real individuals and (for the most part) actual events. He has unabashedly inserted himself, Forrest Gump-like, as the pivot point around which these people and events revolve fashioning that world to accommodate his own self-image. In order to bask in a few hours of the pleasure and entertainment which is certainly there for the taking, the reader by needs must put critical and analytical thinking in the bottom drawer of their mental chifforobe and become a willing accomplice to the author’s escapades. That being said - my advice would be: let Russo be the wheelman, sit in the back seat, ignore the roadmap, and just enjoy the ride.

[Niz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I love a good story telling. Oh, it is a good story for sure. I listened to the audiobook. What made the story great was the reading by the author. Full of the confidence, arrogance, and even the accent expected of someone from his line of work.

Not sure If I would have loved it so much if I read the traditional book.

Gianni is the “been there done that” guy in every group. He has all the stories, all the connections, all the actions etc. We know those guys. Irritating at one level but entertaining nonetheless.

I won’t spoil with all the stories and whether or not I believe them. I’ll leave that to you.

If you like mob stories, movies, the history then read, or better yet listen to, the book. It’s a fun yarn and worth the short time especially during a long drive.

Is any of it true? Eeh? No matter, I enjoyed it.

[Shari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well. Mr. Russo obviously has an extremely high opinion of himself. The only reason I read this book is because I had met Mr. Russo many years (40+) ago in Las Vegas. He made me an offer that I actually could refuse.

The actual writing was pretty good so I did rate it a 2 Star. But I’m not sure this is a true account of his very “busy” life. Seems like more of fictional account. However all of the close friends he mentions are all dead so ....who knows?

And by the way. Why isn’t this Hollywood Godfather in prison?

[Petro Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is larger than life --- literally.
Seemed a little hard to believe until I got to the Marilyn Monroe part. At that point I realized it was a lot of fabrication. Then I read the other reviews and I knew I was not alone. Makes it a lot harder to read once you realize it is mostly fabricated. Some of it is true, and it was entertaining.

[Brandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too fantastical to be believed and there are too many moments worthy of an eye roll to count.

Still not sure if I regret reading this for book club or if it was at least a good distraction. If nothing else this was an easy read.

[Shelby Schwarz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great read but I did some research, and it seems a lot of it was exaggerated or fabricated based off other stories and articles that don’t quite line up. Hard to believe some of it, especially the part about JFK. But could be true, we’ll never really know.

[Kristi · Rating 1 out of 5]

This egomaniac is full of crap.