Gianni Russo

With a singularly nebulous background, which, by his account, included stints as a Las Vegas nightclub emcee, radio personality and jewelry tycoon, and with comparatively little acting experience, 'Gianni Russo' (qv) won the role of Carlo Rizzi in _The Godfather (1972)_ (qv) on the basis of his screen test. Since then, Russo has remained busy as an actor, mostly playing assorted "wiseguys" and Mafia types. He appeared again with 'Marlon Brando' (qv) in a small role in _The Freshman (1990)_ (qv) where Brando parodied his Don Corleone role to good effect.::Bob Sorrentino