Richard S. Castellano
Richard S. Castellano | |
---|---|
Born | Richard Salvatore Castellano September 4, 1933 New York City, New York, U.S. |
Died | December 10, 1988 North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S. | (aged 55)
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1962–1982 |
Notable work | The Godfather |
Richard Salvatore Castellano (September 4, 1933 – December 10, 1988) was an American actor who is best remembered for his role in Lovers and Other Strangers and his subsequent role as Peter Clemenza in The Godfather.[1]
Early life
Castellano was born in the Queens borough of New York City on September 4, 1933. His parents, Mariantonia Angello and Filippo Castellano, were Italian immigrants from Castrofilippo, Sicily.[2] His middle name, Salvatore, was in honor of his oldest brother who had died two years before he was born.[3]
After his death, Castellano's widow Ardell Sheridan claimed that he was the nephew of Gambino crime family boss Paul Castellano,[4] however Richard's own sister dismissed this claim as false: "we're not related to Paul".[5]
Career
Castellano gained worldwide fame for his role in
Castellano also appeared on television, playing the lead role of Joe Girelli in the television
Castellano did not reprise his role as Clemenza in The Godfather Part II (1974). Bruno Kirby portrayed Clemenza as a young man in The Godfather Part II. He had played the son of Castellano's character in The Super.
Death
Castellano died from a heart attack at his home in North Bergen, New Jersey, in 1988 at age 55.[7]
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1963 | Love with the Proper Stranger | Extra | Uncredited |
1965 | Three Rooms in Manhattan | Angry American | Uncredited |
1966 | A Fine Madness | Arnold | |
1968 | A Lovely Way to Die | The Bartender | Uncredited |
1970 | Lovers and Other Strangers | Frank Vecchio | |
1972 | The Godfather | Peter "Fat" Clemenza | |
1973 | Honor Thy Father | Frank Labruzzo | |
1973 | Incident on a Dark Street | Frank Romeo | |
1980 | Night of the Juggler | Lieutenant Tonelli | |
1981 | The Gangster Chronicles | Giuseppe "Joe the Boss" Masseria | |
1982 | Dear Mr. Wonderful | FBI Agent | (final film role) |
References
- ^ Canby, Vincent (March 16, 1972). "REVIEW 'THE GODFATHER' Moving and Brutal 'Godfather' Bows". The New York Times.
- ^ "FamilySearch.org profile of Richard S. Castellano (1933-1988)". Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ^ "The Town Talk from Alexandria, Louisiana on September 10, 1972 · Page 64". Newspapers.com.
- ^ Sheridan-Castellano, pp. 183-184
- ISBN 9781982158613– via Google Books.
- ^ Seal, Mark (March 2009). "The Godfather Wars". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
- ^ "Richard Castellano Is Dead at 55; An Actor of Stage, Screen and TV". The New York Times. December 12, 1988.