SEASON 19 / EPISODE 340
Gene Simmons and the Art of Authenticity
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IN THIS CONVERSATION
The story behind the story.
In this episode,, Gianni recalls his fascinating encounters with Gene Simmons and Mel Gibson. Gianni recounts how he first met Gene Simmons at one of his shows and later at a fan convention. He shares Simmons’ impressive ability to sell memorabilia and his genuine personality. The conversation then shifts to potential collaborative projects involving Russo’s life story and possibly bringing Mel Gibson on board as a director. They also touch on current social issues, including violence and societal turmoil.
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 ↗
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