HOLLYWOOD GODFATHER: MY LIFE IN THE MOVIES AND THE MOB

NY: St. Martin's Press, 2019. First Edition, first printing. Signed by Russo on the title page. Hollywood Godfather is Gianni Russo's memoir of a real-life mobster-turned-actor, who helped make The Godfather a reality, and his story of life on the edge between danger and glamour. He played Carlo Rizzi, the husband of Connie Corleone, who set her brother Sonny--played by James Caan--up for a hit. Russo didn't have to act--he knew the mob inside and out: from his childhood in Little Italy. Mobster Frank Costello took him under his wing, to acting as a messenger for New Orleans mob boss Carlos Marcello during the Kennedy assassination, to having to go on (truncated) the lam after shooting and killing a member of the Colombian drug cartel in his Vegas club. 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. Uncommon to find a signed copy of this title!. Tall 8ivo., mustard-colored boards in dust jacket; 294 pages. Illustrated.. Very Good (covers nice; contents clean & tight, small remainder mark top edge); nice d/j. (Inventory #: 57688)