Hollywood Godfather cover art

Hollywood Godfather

The most authentic mafia book you'll ever read

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Hollywood Godfather

By: Gianni Russo
Narrated by: Gianni Russo
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Gianni Russo was a handsome twenty-five-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 up her brother Sonny, played by James Caan, for a hit. Russo didn't have to act - he knew the Mob inside and out, from his childhood in Little Italy, to Mafia legend Frank Costello who took him under his wing, to acting as a messenger to 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 (he was acquitted of murder when the court ruled this as justifiable homicide).

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 in which he also acted as producer. 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. Entertainment & Celebrities Organized Crime True Crime Celebrity Mafia Crime Feel-Good Inspiring
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Loved it, very interesting, Gianni was great at Narrating the book, would definitely recomend it.

brilliant

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This is by far the best Hollywood book I’ve ever listened to. I must be the only person in the world that hasn’t even watched The Godfather. But this book had so much more than just about the film . Loved it.

Absolutely brilliant

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I could listen to Gianni talk for another 10 hours the time just flew by, fascinating life and look at some of the inner workings of the mob. I'm a massive fan of The Godfather movie and watched it again after finishing this book. Gianni Russo had had one extraordinary life . I was so pleased he narrated the book himself, he has the perfect gravelly voice which really helps deliver the authenticity. Is there anyone famous this guy doesn't know?

A Great Book - Absolutely Fascinating

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One of my favourite audio books will keep in my library for a long time

Great

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Having always loved Hollywood gossip, and watched The Godfather movie more times than I can count ! I was attracted by the title . It was a huge bonus to find out that the writer had played the part of Carlos, who married The Godfather’s daughter.. Being involved with the mafia, and how he got the part, is only one of the revelations in his extraordinary life . The people he knew well go from top Hollywood stars to heads of mobster
“Families “ and he was involved with both . That he narrates the book himself ( a great gravelly voice) just adds to its authenticity. A super listen all round .

Absolutely fascinating

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