The Godfather
Carlo
THE VOICES BEHIND THE MIC
Some stories
need to be told.
A Hollywood original. An inquisitive co-host. A conversation that goes places.
ON SET · AN ACTOR’S EDUCATION
Marlon BrandoLearning from the Don.
Marlon Brando played Vito Corleone in The Godfather. In his memoir and on the podcast, Gianni describes a relationship that developed from an uneasy beginning into friendship and acting guidance. “From Godfather to Mentor” revisits Brando through Gianni’s memories of the man away from the screen.
Gianni’s account: Hollywood Godfather ↗
YOUR HOST
Gianni Russo.
Actor. Author. A lifetime of stories.
Best known for playing Carlo Rizzi in Francis Ford Coppola’s original The Godfather (1972), Gianni Russo brings an unmistakable voice to conversations about the movies, the mob, and the people who shaped his life.
His books, including Hollywood Godfather: My Life in the Movies and the Mob and Mafia Secrets, continue the storytelling beyond the microphone. On the podcast, the conversation is candid, personal, and always Gianni.
Gianni’s official website ↗
YOUR CO-HOST
Jeanie Raymond.
The questions you were about to ask.
Jeanie brings curiosity, wit, and the listener’s perspective to Gianni’s remarkable stories. From classic cinema to true crime, she helps draw out the details and keeps the conversation moving.
Together, Gianni and Jeanie welcome special guests, revisit Hollywood history, and open the mailbag to hear from you.
Send a question to the hostsBEHIND THE SHOW
Made with Mike Austin.
Producer, editor, and the creative force behind the show’s sound, visuals, and digital experience. Mike also joins the conversation for technology segments and listener questions.
Explore XMLA ↗
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 ↗
ON SCREEN & ON THE RECORD
A few familiar credits.
Selected film and television credits. Guest podcasts, radio, and interviews are collected above. For Gianni’s broader career and personal projects, visit GianniRusso.com ↗.
The Godfather Part II
Carlo
Out for Justice
Sammy
Rush Hour 2
Red Dragon Pit Boss
Red Dragon
Newsie
Seabiscuit
Alberto Gianini
Prison Break
Gavin Smallhouse
Strong Medicine
Guest appearance
18 Wheels of Justice
Sal Cigar Signorelli
Selected credits checked October 17, 2026. IMDb profile and credit source ↗. This is a curated guide; IMDb opens on its own website.
PART OF THE STORY
The voices along the way.
The archive also features past hosts Mike Di Stasio, Patrick Picciarelli, Julia Schweitzer, and Megan Horan. Their conversations remain part of the show’s history.
Explore the archiveA 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.
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 ↗
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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.
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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.