What every actor did after the movie

From Al Pacino to Marlon Brando, the cast of The godfather is full of genuine screen legends who have appeared in some of the greatest films ever made. The godfather It was a huge box office success, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time, and enjoyed universal critical acclaim. Not only did it make its director Francis Ford Coppola a household name; made names known to everyone in its wide range.

Some of the actors The godfather They were already big names. Robert Duvall had previously appeared in To Kill a Mockingbird and James Caan had already starred Brian’s Song. But most of the film’s cast members, like Talia Shire and Diane Keaton, got their big break The godfather itself. Today, The godfather is remembered for having one of the most star-studded casts in cinema history – but at the time many of them were unknown.

Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone

Date of birth: April 3, 1924

Active years: 1944–2004

Actor: Marlon Brando was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and first major success when he brought his performance as Stanley Kowalski from the Broadway stage to the silver screen in 1951 A Streetcar Named Desire. He went on to play Johnny Strabler in The Wild and Terry Malloy in By the seafor which he won an Oscar. After The godfatherhe played Jor-El in Superman: The Movie and Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse now.

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Character: In The godfather, Brando plays Vito Corleone, the patriarch of the Corleone crime family. As he approaches dusk and resists assassination attempts, Vito is forced to choose a successor. Brando won his second Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in The godfatheralthough Brando declined the award.

Al Pacino as Michael Corleone

Date of birth: April 25, 1940

Active since: 1967

Actor: Al Pacino was born in New York City and first broke out with his role as heroin addict Bobby in The panic in Needle Park. Pacino won the Triple Crown for Acting. He played iconic roles like Sonny Wortzik in Dog Day AfternoonDetective Frank Serpico in SerpicoTony Montana in ScarRichard Roma in Glengarry Glen Rossand union leader Jimmy Hoffa in The Irish. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for playing Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade in Women’s Perfume.

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Character: Pacino plays Vito’s youngest son, Michaelin The godfather. The film shows Michael’s moral fall. At the beginning of the film, he is a rebel war veteran destined to become the first Corleone to lead a legitimate life outside of organized crime. However, by the end of The godfatherhe succeeded his father and took over the family business.

James Caan as Sonny Corleone

Date of birth: March 26, 1940

Active years: 1961–2022

Actor: James Caan was born in New York City and first broke through with his Emmy nomination as football player Brian Piccolo in the 1971 made-for-TV movie Brian’s Song. Caan received a Golden Globe nomination for playing Axel Freed in The player. He went on to play Frank in BurglarJonathan E. at roller ballPaul Sheldon in Miseryand Walter Hobbs in Elf.

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Character: Caan plays Vito’s eldest son, Sonny Corleonein The godfather. While Sonny is certainly strong and capable, he is too hot-headed to run the business as effectively as Michael. His propensity for violence ends up getting him killed long before the end credits.

Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen

Date of birth: January 5, 1931

Active since: 1952

Actor: Robert Duvall was born in San Diego, California, and got his big break with the role of Boo Radley in the 1962 film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird. Duvall won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as alcoholic former country music star Mac Sledge in Tender Mercies. He also played Frank Hackett in NetworkLieutenant Colonel Kilgore in Apocalypse nowand Sergeant Martin Prendergast in Falling.

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Character: In The godfather, Duvall plays Corleone family consigliere and lawyer Tom Hagen.. Although Tom is not Vito’s biological son, he is just as much Vito’s son as Michael or Sonny. Tom is an unofficial adopted member of the familyand unswervingly loyal to the Don.

Diane Keaton as Kay Adams-Corleone

Date of birth: January 5, 1946

Active since: 1966

Actor: Diane Keaton was born in Santa Ana, California, and first stood out with his role in The godfather. Keaton won the Best Actress Oscar for playing the eccentric title character in Woody Allen’s romantic comedy. Anne Hall. She also appeared in Allen’s films Sleeper, Love and Deathand Manhattan. Keaton later played Erica Barry in Something has to giveNina Banks in Father of the bride and its sequel, and Jenny in Finding Dory.

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Character: Keaton plays Michael’s love interest, Kay Adams, in The godfather. At the beginning of the film, Kay is Michael’s girlfriend, horrified by the violence within her familybut in the end she is his second wife, fully embraced by the family. Much to Michael’s chagrin, Kay is not as subservient as the other mob wives.

John Cazale as Fredo Corleone

Date of birth: August 12, 1935

Active years: 1959–1978

Actor: John Cazale was born in Revere, Massachusetts, and made his film debut in The godfather. Cazale sadly passed away from lung cancer at just 42 years oldjust as his film career was beginning to take off. Cazale left behind an impeccable filmography with an impressive run of five of the greatest films ever made: The godfather, The conversation, The Godfather Part II, Dog Day Afternoonand The Deer Hunter.

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Character: In The godfather, Cazale plays Vito’s middle son, Fredo. Fredo is essentially the laughingstock of the Corleone family. He is too cowardly and incompetent to do any of the more important work, so the family just gives him work to keep him busy.

The Godfather Cast and Supporting Characters

Talia Shire as Connie Corleone: Vito’s only daughter, Connie Corleone, is played by Talia Shire. Shire is best known for playing Rocky Balboa’s love interest Adrian Pennino in the film Rocky franchise. She also played Dianne Cruise in old loversMrs. Silver in I heart Huckabeesand Constança Crasso Catilina in Megalopolis.

Sterling Hayden as Captain McCluskey: The corrupt police captain that Michael kills, Captain McCluskey, is played by Sterling Hayden. Hayden played a wide range of roles throughout his career, from General Jack D. Ripper in Doctor Strange to alcoholic author Roger Wade in The long goodbye to elderly peasant Leo Dalcò in 1900 to the chairman of the board, Russell Tinsworthy, in 9 to 5.

John Marley as Jack Woltz: Jack Woltz, the Hollywood film producer who has his prize horse decapitated by the Corleones, is played by John Marley. Marley won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for playing Richard Forst in John Cassavetes’ Faces and received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for playing Phil Cavalleri in Romance.

Al Lettieri as Virgilio Sollozzo: Al Lettieri plays Virgil Sollozzo, the heroin kingpin who pressures Vito to get into the drug business. Lettieri also played Rudy Butler in The escape and Frank Renda in Lord Majesty.

Richard Castellano as Peter Clemenza: Peter Clemenza, a trusted Corleone capo and Sonny’s godfather, is played by Richard Castellano. Castellano had previously played Frank Vecchio in the romantic comedy Lovers and other strangers and later played Lieutenant Tonelli in the neo-noir action film Juggler’s Night.

Abe Vigoda as Salvatore Tessio: Corleone capo Salvatore Tessio, one of Vito’s oldest friends, is played by Abe Vigoda. Vigoda is best known for playing Phil Fish on the sitcom Barney Miller and its spin-off Fish.

Al Martino as Johnny Fontane: Vito’s godson, singer Johnny Fontane, was played by real-life singer Al Martino. Johnny was Martino’s only acting role; he later reprized in The Godfather Part III.

Morgana King as Carmela Corleone: After playing Vito’s wife, Carmela Corleone, in The godfather and The Godfather Part IIMorgana King played only three more film roles, concluding with her final performance as Aunt Rose in 1997. A Brooklyn State of Mind.