EP. 369
Hollywood, Juilliard, and Back: Moments with Matt Savino
May 27, 2026 · Season 20
GIANNI RUSSO · FROM THE ORIGINAL GODFATHER
Hollywood
has stories.
Gianni lived them.
The movies. The mob. The people behind the legends.
Pull up a chair for a weekly conversation with Gianni Russo
and Jeanie Raymond.
A WEEKLY PODCAST / HOLLYWOOD. HISTORY. UNFILTERED.
THE WORLD BEFORE. THE LIFE THAT FOLLOWED.
Step back.
Stay for the stories.
From the 1920s to today: places, music, and screen stories.
A visual journey into the world behind Gianni’s stories.
1920sNEW YORK AFTER DARK
Before the first chapter.
Jazz rooms, art deco, and the supper-club culture that came before Gianni’s own story.
CULTURAL BACKDROP
1930sLITTLE ITALY, MANHATTAN
The old neighborhood.
Tenement streets, corner shops, and the neighborhood traditions that preceded his childhood.
CULTURAL BACKDROP
1940sMANHATTAN & STATEN ISLAND
New York beginnings.
Born in Manhattan, Gianni grew up in Little Italy and Staten Island—the roots of a New York life.
GIANNI’S ROOTS
1950sTHE NEW YORK SUPPER-CLUB ERA
A room full of music.
The singers, orchestras, and late-night rooms that form the musical backdrop to his stories.
THE MUSIC & THE MOOD
1960sMIAMI & THE NIGHTCLUB WORLD
A young man heads south.
Gianni’s official biography recalls his first Miami trip at eighteen and his early work around nightclubs.
GIANNI’S RECOLLECTIONS
1970sHOLLYWOOD & LAS VEGAS
The screen. The showrooms.
The Godfather arrived in 1972. Film sets and the world of live entertainment became lasting chapters.
A LIFE IN ENTERTAINMENT
1980sLAS VEGAS · STATE STREET
After hours at State Street.
Gianni recalls building his State Street restaurant into a Las Vegas gathering place. Hear the story of its beginnings and the nightlife around it.
HEAR THE STATE STREET STORY
1990sFILM SETS & TELEVISION
Beyond Carlo. Behind the scenes.
From The Freshman and Super Mario Bros. to Striptease and Any Given Sunday, Gianni revisits his screen roles and the people and craft behind the productions.
HEAR THE FILM & TV STORIES
2000sHOLLYWOOD · FILM & TELEVISION
Another call. Another set.
The Family Man, Red Dragon, Seabiscuit and Prison Break carried his screen career into a new decade. Start with his memories of Seabiscuit and the world behind the film.
HEAR THE SEABISCUIT CONVERSATION
2010sTHE MEMOIR & THE MICROPHONE
A lifetime becomes a story.
Hollywood Godfather was published in 2019, and the podcast began that year. Revisit the introduction that brought Gianni’s stories to a new listening audience.
HEAR THE ORIGINAL INTRODUCTION
2020sGIANNI, JEANIE & THEIR GUESTS
The conversation keeps going.
New guests, listener mailbags and fresh conversations keep the stories moving. Join Gianni and Jeanie with filmmaker Miles Stephenson to explore cinema and the making of a documentary.
HEAR THE FILMMAKER CONVERSATIONOriginal period-inspired illustrations. The 1920s and 1930s set the cultural scene before Gianni’s birth. Life details: Gianni’s official biography ↗
NEW YORK · 1972
The GodfatherThe role that changed everything.
In Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, Gianni played Carlo Rizzi, Connie Corleone’s husband. Released in 1972, the film became the defining credit of his acting career. The podcast returns to the production, the cast, and Gianni’s memories of stepping into a film that would become part of cinema history.
Career history: Gianni’s official biography ↗THE LATEST CONVERSATIONS
Good company.
Even better stories.
EP. 369
EP. 368
Tech Talk: Tips and Scams with Mike Austin
May 20, 2026 · Season 20
EP. 367
The Mailbag – Legendary Lives & Stories
May 13, 2026 · Season 20
PULL UP A CHAIR · TAKE THE SHOW WITH YOU
Listen, watch & subscribe.
Choose a platform below, then tap Follow or Subscribe in its app to keep up with the show.
Follow audio on Apple Podcasts ↗
Your choice is remembered on this device. Complete Follow or Subscribe in the app.
Follow video on YouTube ↗
Your choice is remembered on this device. Complete Follow or Subscribe in the app.
FOR YOUR EARS
Listen to the audio show.
The weekly conversation, wherever you listen.
PULL UP A SCREEN
Watch the video podcast.
See Gianni, Jeanie, and their guests on screen.
STAY RIGHT HERE
One player. Your whole collection.
Stream audio or video, save favorites, build a queue, and install the player on your home screen. Download audio for offline listening.
Use a different podcast app? Add the RSS feed.
In a podcast app that supports RSS, choose “Add by URL” or “Follow by URL” and paste the audio feed. Choose the video feed in an app that supports video podcasts.
KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING
Like, comment & pull up a chair.
Subscribe on YouTube and choose the notification bell for new videos. Follow the audio show in your podcast app and turn on new-episode alerts in its settings.
Subscribe, like & comment on YouTube ↗Follow, rate & discuss on Spotify ↗Join us on Instagram ↗Join us on Facebook ↗Ask Gianni & Jeanie a question →
Likes, comments and notifications use your chosen platform’s account and available features. Questions for the mailbag go to the show through Ask Gianni.
YOUR SHOW. YOUR WAY.
A seat in your pocket.
Listen or watch, build a queue, pick up where you left off, and download audio for the road. Install the player or follow on your favorite platform.
THE MAN BEHIND THE STORIESCARLO RIZZI IN THE GODFATHER · 1972
A life that
could only be
Gianni’s.
He stepped into cinema history as Carlo Rizzi in the original The Godfather. The stories didn’t end when the cameras stopped.
Join Gianni and co-host Jeanie Raymond for candid conversations about classic Hollywood, the underworld, and a lifetime of extraordinary encounters.
Meet the voices behind the micTHE PEOPLE IN THE STORIES
Familiar faces.
Extraordinary company.
PLACES. PEOPLE. A LIFE LESS ORDINARY.
Every chapter.
Another world.
From the Copa to the Corleones.
Follow the stories that made Gianni.
01 / GIANNI’S CHAPTERS
Copacabana
New York nights, great performers, and the world behind the velvet curtain.
Step into the story →
02 / GIANNI’S CHAPTERS
Cal Neva
Pine trees, a state line, and the resort at the center of so many stories.
Step into the story →
03 / GIANNI’S CHAPTERS
State St.
Dinner, music, and the after-hours world of Gianni Russo’s State St.
Step into the story →04 / GIANNI’S CHAPTERS
Marilyn Monroe
Gianni’s memories of Marilyn, told in his own voice.
Step into the story →
05 / GIANNI’S CHAPTERS
Frank Costello
Gianni’s account of a childhood connection, messenger work, and an early mentor.
Step into the story →06 / GIANNI’S CHAPTERS
The Godfather
Carlo Rizzi. A first film role. A lifetime of stories beyond the screen.
Step into the story →07 / GIANNI’S CHAPTERS
Marlon Brando
Gianni remembers the actor behind Vito Corleone.
Step into the story →08 / GIANNI’S CHAPTERS
Frank Sinatra
The songs, the showrooms, and Gianni’s memories of Sinatra.
Step into the story →Historical context meets Gianni’s own recollections. Personal accounts are identified in each chapter. Scene artwork is illustrative.
FIND YOUR NEXT OBSESSION
Every story has another side.
01 Hollywood stories
Behind the silver screen.
The films, the stars, and the moments between takes.
02 Mob & mysteriesThe other side of the story.
Underworld encounters, unanswered questions, and Gianni’s accounts.
03 Guest conversationsLegends, at the same table.
Actors, artists, and remarkable people in conversation.
04 The mailbagYou ask. Gianni answers.
Listener questions take the conversation somewhere unexpected.
FROM THE GUEST BOOK
Quite the company.
EP. 362
Legends Series: Singing with the Stars: Paul Anka Shares His Story
Apr 8, 2026 · Season 20
EP. 369
A Velvet Reunion: Gianni and Bobby Vinton’s Timeless Tales”
Mar 18, 2026 · Season 19
EP. 352
In the Ring with Legends: Gianni Russo and Ray Mancini Unfiltered
Jan 28, 2026 · Season 19
BEYOND THE MICROPHONE
The stories keep going.
THE CONVERSATION DOESN’T END HERE
Got a question
for the Godfather?
Send it to the show Your question could make the next mailbag.A PERSONAL TOUCH · GIANNI ON CAMEO
A message from
the Godfather.
Find Gianni on Cameo for personalized video messages. Visit his profile to explore current options and availability.
BEYOND THE EPISODE
Stay in good company.
THE MAN BEHIND THE STORIES
Gianni Russo
Follow Gianni beyond the microphone.
KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING
The Hollywood Godfather Podcast
Follow the show for clips and updates.