SEASON 16 / EPISODE 297
Beyond the Godfather-Gianni Russo's Career in Film and TV
Audio or video. Your queue. Your place in the story.
IN THIS CONVERSATION
The story behind the story.
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the fascinating acting career of Gianni Russo, which began with his unforgettable role as Carlo Rizzi in the Godfather. From there, Gianni carved out a unique path in Hollywood appearing in iconic films like Striptease, Any Given Sunday, Seabiscuit, The Freshman, and Lepke to name a few. His talents extended to TV as well, with roles in The Rockford Files, Jake and the Fatman, Prison Break and many more. Join us as we explore the highlights of Gianni’s dynamic career on both the big and the small screens.
Go deeper into the conversation.
A reviewed transcript is not available for this release.
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 ↗
EP. 133
Kirk Kerkorian: Master of the Vegas Universe (Rebroadcast)
Sep 2, 2026 · Season 7
EP. 136
Friends, Mentors, & Memories Part I - Larry Manetti (Rebroadcast)
Aug 5, 2026 · Season 7
EP. 142
Vincent Squillante: The Garbage King (Rebroadcast)
Jul 29, 2026 · Season 8
