Gianni Russo

Gianni Russo
Born Louis Giovanni Russo
(1943-12-12) December 12, 1943
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Occupation Actor, singer
Years active 1972–present

Louis Giovanni "Gianni" Russo (born December 12, 1943) is an American actor and singer. He is best known for his role as Carlo Rizzi in The Godfather.[1]

Life and career

Russo was born in Manhattan, raised in Little Italy[2] and Rosebank, Staten Island. After reprising the Rizzi character in a brief flashback scene at the end of The Godfather Part II, Russo went on to act in more than 35 movies, including Goodnight, My Love (1972), Lepke (1975, as Albert Anastasia), Laserblast (1978), Chances Are (1989), The Freshman (1990), Side Out (1990), Another You (1991), Super Mario Bros. (1993), Any Given Sunday (1999) and Seabiscuit (2003).

Russo claims that he started a fledgling career in organized crime working as an errand boy and mob associate for Frank Costello[1] as an adolescent but later abandoned the dangerous and volatile lifestyle of organized crime.

Over the years since the beginning of his career, he has owned a Las Vegas restaurant called Gianni Russo's State Street (closed in 1988), dated Dionne Warwick for more than a decade, and successfully defeated 23 federal criminal indictments on a variety of charges stemming from alleged organized crime associations.[1]

In 1988, he killed a man outside of his Las Vegas club and casino. A member of the Medellín drug cartel was harassing a female patron when he tried to intervene, the man stabbed him with a broken wine bottle. In return, Russo pulled out a gun and killed him.[1] The case was ruled a justifiable homicide and Russo was not charged.

Russo is also a singer. In 2004, he released a CD called Reflections that pays homage to Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.[2]

Russo owns a wine brand, Gianni Russo Wines which debuted in 2009. [3]

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
1972The GodfatherCarlo Rizzi
1974The Godfather Part II
1975LepkeAlbert Anastasia
1975The Four DeucesChip Morono - the 'Deuce of Clubs'
1978LaserblastTony Craig
1979Winter KillsCo-Pilot
1989Chances AreAnthony Bonino
1990Side OutDick Sydney
1990The FreshmanMaitre D' Gourmet Club
1991Out for JusticeSammy
1991Another YouCarlos
1992Stay TunedGuido
1993Super Mario Bros.Scapelli
1996StripteaseWilly Rojo
1998CirclesHoward Thomas as Jeremy's father
1999Any Given SundayChristina's Advisor
2000The Family ManNick
2000Rope ArtSen. Bob Krause
20013000 Miles to GracelandMoney Cart Guard
2001Harvard ManAndrew Bandolini
2001Rush Hour 2Red Dragon Pit Boss
2002Red DragonNewsie
2003SeabiscuitAlberto Gianini
2004After the SunsetClippers Fan
2005Meet the MobstersPaul
2013Send No FlowersJohnny Pisano

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Jacobs, Andrew (April 9, 2005). "His Big Break? The Corleones Killed Him; Godfather's Son-in-Law Is Singing, Selling and Enjoying Life". The New York Times. Retrieved March 26, 2008.
  2. 1 2 "About Gianni Russo". Gianni Russo. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  3. ↑ https://italialiving.com/articles/food-wine/the-intriguing-life-of-gianni-russo-beyond-the-godfather/
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