Russo was 7 when he got polio and spent five years in a state hospital. “… I don’t care what your background is. Gotti, who reportedly disliked Russo, was nonetheless willing to make the meeting happen, the actor said. Over the years since the beginning of his career, Russo owned a Las Vegas restaurant called Gianni Russo's State Street at 2570 State Street on the Las Vegas Strip (closed in 1988), and defeated 23 federal criminal indictments on a variety of charges stemming from alleged organized crime associations. Looks like the Escobar part was a fabrication. The Digital Public Library of America brings together the riches of America’s libraries, archives, and museums, and makes them freely available to the world. Gotti was in the back room of the club, which looked like it had been decorated by Stevie Wonder. Legal Statement. He also conquered almost 23 federal felonious prosecutions on several charges from alleged systematic mob relations. It was then that Russo pulled out a handgun and fired two bullets into his head. In 1988, Gianni killed a guy inside the Las Vegas club and casino that he owns. Vegas Hitman On The Hollywood Godfather Gianni Russo - YouTube ", Gianni Russo, seated on the black Ferrari parked in front his State Street Club, poses for the album cover art, "Live from State Street." I just told everybody I’m doing this part. ©2021 FOX News Network, LLC. I know everybody on Broadway.’ I said, ‘You’re right.’ He says, ‘Who did you study with?’ I said, ‘Study what?’ And he called Francis Ford Coppola over, the director, and I didn’t know protocol because I was never on a set. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 'Let him go, I'll set it up.' State Café (Fremont street) Super Slide on Decatur. For a time he owned Gianni Russo’s State Street restaurant in Las Vegas until the place closed about 30 years ago. They’re going to moon people.’ … At my wedding scene, [Brando] says, ‘We’ll wait for Michael,’ and there were 300 extras, all the crew — so it was like 500 people there. Mr. Russo was 7 when he got polio and spent five years in a state hospital. Mafia 'freelance contractor' and actor Gianni Russo spoke to A&E Real Crime as he releases 'Hollywood Godfather,' a memoir that moves from his polio-afflicted childhood in the Little Italy section of New York City to friendships and feuds with legendary mob … For more information, please see the UNLV Special Collections policies on reproduction and use (https://www.library.unlv.edu/speccol/research_and_services/reproductions) or contact us at special.collections@unlv.edu. “There was a big contest of who could moon the most people at one time. They are grown adults. In 1988, a member of the Medellin drug cartel was reportedly harassing a female patron at his Las Vegas club and casino, Gianni Russo’s State Street, and Russo tried to intervene when the man attacked him with a broken Cristal bottle, slicing his chin. They’re looking at this old man’s ass. F--- you.' He said, ‘That was good. Since then, Russo has remained busy as an actor, mostly playing assorted "wiseguys" and Mafia types. He was seated in a red plastic chair at a Formica table, a glass of red wine close by. You’ve got to expand your lungs so you could retain the notes.’ For the whole week, that’s what we did.”. And then as you turned around, he mooned them all, even little kids, where I felt so bad. "My chin was hanging.". “He said, ‘Why didn’t you tell me you were Carlo in ‘The Godfather’? Gianni Russo — Carlo in "The Godfather" — signs his memoirs at the Sun Gianni Russo (Courtesy St. Martin’s Press) Published April 09. Gianni Russo in the US . (Getty), 'GODFATHER' ACTRESS MORGANA KING DEAD AT 87, REPORT SAYS. Any idea on what happened and if Mr. Russo ever opened another restaurant? (Private collection of Gianni Russo) … He thought it was amazing courage for me to fly down to Bogota. Market data provided by Factset. He said his father, a longshoreman and musician, was ashamed that his only son was a … (Private collection of Gianni Russo), MARLON BRANDO REVEALED WHY HE DIDN'T LIKE BEING PHOTOGRAPHED WHILE FILMING 'LAST TANGO IN PARIS,' BOOK CLAIMS. (Getty), Russo quickly dismissed Coppola and committed what he called “the next sacrilege.”, “I put my arm on Brando and I walked him out of earshot of everybody else,” said Russo. On the set of "The Godfather," baptism day, (L to R) Gianni Russo, Al Pacino and director Francis Ford Coppola. Gianni Russo (Brand Ambassador) PRESS RELEASE. the food was fabulous and the decor was wonderful! He stood there. The thug went after Russo with a broken champagne bottle. You screw this up for me, you hear what I’m telling you, I will suck on your heart. The top state of residence is Florida, followed by New York. He also serves as a motivational speaker where he encourages others to pursue their dreams, even if they seem unlikely. Also, Gianni fled the country and went to Italy before moving to Miami after the shooting. “The biggest thing was the mooning,” said Russo. “I had 180 stitches," said Russo. He tried, he says, to get between an abusive customer and his date. As soon as Gianni sat down, Howard pointed out that Lisa G.’s observation that Gianni was wearing a heavy amount of cologne was true. It happened in 1988, when Russo was running a Las Vegas nightclub, Gianni Russo’s State Street. ", When Russo finally arrived in Colombia, he claimed to be “roughened up” by the kingpin’s men before Escobar himself walked in, carrying “The Making of the Godfather.”, A mugshot taken by the regional Colombia control agency in Medellín in 1977. Over the years since the beginning of his career, Russo owned a Las Vegas restaurant called Gianni Russo's State Street at 2570 State Street on the Las Vegas Strip (closed in 1988), and defeated 23 federal criminal indictments on a variety of charges stemming from alleged organized crime associations. Gianni Russo, seated on the black Ferrari parked in front his State Street Club, poses for the album cover art, "Live from State Street." What’s this lesson?’ He says, ‘Breathing is everything. He says, ‘Well, go in the back of the cabana and get a bathing suit and I’ll meet you at the pool.’ I’m saying to myself, ‘I didn’t come here to swim.’ And so, he comes out and says, ‘Submerge yourself in the pool and stay down for as long as you can.’ And he’s timing me… After a couple of times, he kept timing me and going, ‘Do it again.’ I say, ‘Frank, I don’t understand. Photos View All Photos (9) Highest Rated Movies. Over the years since the beginning of his career, Russo owned a Las Vegas restaurant … Many years ago, there was a restaurant east of the Strip called State Street owned by Gianni Russo, the actor who played Carlo in the Godfather movie. Nothing matched. I found out from the coroner he was so high on coke, it took a second or two for it to register, but I’ll tell you, it’s the longest second or two you ever want to have in your life. “You have to get up and do something,” he said. Gianni Russo, The Godfather. “I said no. -- joe noia Gianni Russo really dug being on the new podcast and will be back on :D -- Nasty Neal Look who I ran into last Night. Not only did the cast get along, but they were eager to play practical jokes on each other when cameras stopped rolling. The photo was taken in 1986 in Las Vegas at Gianni Russo's State Street Restaurant. And that's how I got there. Gianni Russo's State St. late night menu, circa 1980s. And I’m saying to myself, ‘Are these people nuts? So he straightened everything out.”, (L to R foreground) On the wedding set of "The Godfather," one of Joe Columbo's enforcers (seated), Richard Conte and Gianni Russo (standing.) “I turned him around and I said, ‘Let me just tell you something. Over the years since the beginning of his career, Russo owned a Las Vegas restaurant called Gianni Russo's State Street (closed in 1988), and defeated 23 federal criminal indictments on a variety of charges stemming from alleged organized crime associations. You got to rethink it.’ And I’m saying to myself, ‘Wait a minute. (Private collection of Gianni Russo) The Clark County prosecutor ruled the killing a justifiable homicide, The New York Times reported. "He got a little stupid, so I put the gun between his eyes. “He knew the entire scene,” said Russo. 2019 3:37PM Tam O’Shanter. Market data provided by Factset. In 1972 Gianni Russo was approaching 30, and had zero acting experience, when he literally got the job of a lifetime. However, Russo claimed he had mob boss John Gotti arrange a meeting in Bogota, Colombia with drug lord Pablo Escobar, who was eager to murder his family in retaliation. (Private collection of Gianni Russo). But not everyone was easily impressed by Russo’s luck. 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 won the role of Carlo Rizzi in The Godfather (1972) on the basis of his screen test. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University Libraries, https://utah-primoprod.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=digcoll_unl_14menus/6533&context=L&vid=MWDL. Over the years since the beginning of his career, he has owned a Las Vegas restaurant called Gianni Russo's State Street (closed in 1988), dated Dionne Warwick for more than a decade, and successfully defeated 23 federal criminal indictments on a variety of charges stemming from … Thankfully for Russo, he had an easier time getting singing lessons from Frank Sinatra — even if it meant getting out of his comfort zone. That’s my favorite movie.’”. I mean, what is he crazy? '", ANGIE DICKINSON SAYS SHE WAS 'VERY CLOSE' TO MARRYING FRANK SINATRA, Marlon Brando during a scene in "The Godfather." Russo recently chronicled his rise to stardom and the many shocking turns of events that occurred along the way in a new memoir titled “Hollywood Godfather.” In the book, Russo describes how he did screen tests playing Michael Corleone, Sonny Corleone and then Rizzi before getting the role. The Godfather's Gianni Russo on Don Corleone Vodka Watch the latest video at video.foxbusiness.com Dec. 21, 2016 – 3:05 – ‘The Godfather’ actor [...] Read More (Private collection of Gianni Russo). Gianni Russo, seated on the black Ferrari parked in front his State Street Club, poses for the album cover art, "Live from State Street." That’s why I did it.”. or redistributed. Why would you destroy this for me?’ And he stepped back. We found 7 records in 6 states for Gianni Russo in the US. He tried, he says, to get between an abusive customer and his date. All rights reserved. The average Gianni Russo is around 48 years of age with around 50% falling in to the age group of 21-40. And it was his role in “The Godfather” that some years later would save Russo’s life, for real. The Ravenite Social Club was nothing like Gianni Russo’s State Street, that’s for damn sure. Gianni Russo had a good reason to skip the 45th anniversary of “The Godfather” at Radio City Music Hall, where Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and his other castmates reunited.. Russo… He was offered the role of Carlo Rizzi, the wife-beating, double-crossing son-in-law in Francis Ford Coppola’s epic mob drama “The Godfather,” which starred Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan and Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone — and went on to be acclaimed as one of the best films of an era. Fortunately for Russo, it was smooth sailing from then on. Gianni comes from the restaurant world. "Fortunately, I always carry a gun, legally, explained Russo. A network television show “Russo Rules” is in development where Gianni will serve as host and co-producer. I told everybody I had this part. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. This record is broken: Gianni Russo, who got his start with a key role in The Godfather, was all kinds of mobbed-up off-camera. I put two right in his head. Acknowledgement of the UNLV University Libraries is requested. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. I said 'OK.' Ted Vesley Music. His follow up CD was released in June 2010, and his self titled wine label Gianni Russo Wines launched nationally in 2009. Gianni really did kill a man named Lorenzo Morales at his club in 1988... but the guy was Cuban, not Colombian. I meant it, and that was it. I said, 'This is it.' “He goes, ‘You’re not on Broadway? After that, Gianni Russo had a restaurant in Las Vegas named Gianni Russo’s State Street. “It was very funny because [Brando] said, ‘You have a big movie coming out?’ and I said 'No,'” Russo recalled to Fox News on how the film’s leading star believed Russo must have been well established in Hollywood to receive such a gig. Don Corleone Vodka is on sale in the New York Tri- State area and will roll out nationally and in select international territories throughout 2016. It happened in 1988, when Russo was running a Las Vegas nightclub, Gianni Russo's State Street. The Clark County prosecutor ruled the killing a justifiable homicide, The New York Times reported. He released an album, "Reflections," in 2004. The President of the Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina, took time out from his UN duties to have lunch at Nello's, where I serenaded him with the music from his favorite motion picture "The Godfather". This material is made available to facilitate private study, scholarship, or research. and Gianni Russo attend THE DEEDS OF MY FATHERS by Paul David Pope New York book launch at … They all didn’t believe me to begin with. Marilyn Monroe died because she refused to be a puppet in plot to bring JFK down, claims Gianni Russo. “He goes, ‘You’re a TV actor?’ I said 'No,'” continued Russo. Gianni Russo says there was a possibility that Marilyn Monroe's life could have been saved if her ex-husband Joe DiMaggio had listened to her plea for help By Prerna Nambiar Updated On : 02:45 PST, Feb 17, 2020. All rights reserved. The thug went after Russo … That was great acting.’ He thought I was acting! Mr. Russo currently resides in NY and continues to sing and act around the world and most of all enjoying his life. So Francis comes over and he starts breaking down the whole script with me… [Brando] says, ‘He’s got to be a great actor. Train Depot: Troy Laundry. Gianni Russo attend Gianni Russo Honors the Supporters of TERI'S HOUSE at Rothmann's Steakhouse on April 12th, 2010 in New York City. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. ... Park Avenue & 59th Street, NYC, with an exclusive tasting from 7:00pm-10:00pm. Legal Statement. For many years, he owned the Las Vegas restaurant Gianni Russo's State Street. Elaine ? Russo, who is 75 years old today, has starred in over 40 films, as well as recorded music dedicated to Sinatra and Dean Martin. In 1988, Russo killed a man inside the Las Vegas club and casino he owned. 9. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by UNLV. There was a hole in his head and he's looking at me... like a mosquito hit him. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 21 Club (Barrel House) (Fremont street) Union Pacific Depot/The Beanery (Fremont street) Now this guy’s going to get me fired? (Courtesy of Gianni Russo), “I thought I was hallucinating,” said Russo. “But I thought I was dead. Russo claimed Escobar let him go — in exchange for re-enacting one of the scenes in “The Godfather.” Escobar played Michael Corleone. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Gianni Russo, who recently penned the memoir 'Hollywood Godfather,' recalls filming Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 mob drama 'The Godfather' alongside Marlon Brando. My wife and I used to go there every visit to Las Vegas. It was closed in 1988. Pick something you want to do, believe in yourself, go do it and it’ll happen. He said, "Oh yeah? 2019 1:19PM | Updated April 09. But he won the contest.”, James Caan knocks out Gianni Russo in a scene from the film "The Godfather," 1972. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Thomas Department Store (Fremont street) The Thunderbird: Tower Service Station. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. We were friends ever since.”. ©2021 FOX News Network, LLC. His Vegas place, Gianni Russo's State Street, was an after-hours place that served Italian dishes like Fettucine Alfredo Alla Gia — … 'Godfather' actor Gianni Russo recalls his encounters with Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, 'Godzilla vs. Kong' is in theaters and on HBO Max, Rapper DMX suffers drug overdose, hospitalized: report, Mossimo Giannulli leaves federal prison after serving 5 months for college admissions scandal, Alabama Shakes drummer Steven Johnson denies child abuse allegations after arrest, Celebrities once linked to Louis Farrakhan. Gianni Russo, the actor best known for his role as Carlo Rizzi in “The Godfather,” came into the studio to talk about his new book, as well as his many exploits with famous women. Users are responsible for determining whether permissions are necessary from rights owners for any intended use and for obtaining all required permissions. “I was going to get a singing lesson, so he says to me, ‘Did you bring a bathing suit?’” recalled Russo. 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