Lenny Montana

At 66 years old, Lenny Montana has this physical status:

Lenny Montana (born Leonardo Passafaro) was an American actor who appeared in The Godfather as feared hitman Luca Brasi.

He had a fruitful career as a professional wrestler as well as an enforcer for the Colombo family before becoming an actor.

Retirement and later life

After appearing in the B movie Blood Song (1982), which he also co-wrote, Montana retired from acting. He died in Lindenhurst, New York, on May 12, 1992 of a heart attack. He was 66 years old at the time.

In the 2022 miniseries The Offer, Lou Ferrigno depicts Montana.

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Early life and early wrestling career

Montana was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 13, 1926. He was of Italian-American descent. He was fluent in both English and Italian. In 1953, his wrestling career began in neighboring New Jersey. He wrestled under the Zebra Kid gimmick and was billed at the time of 6'6" in the United States. Montana wasn't long before the campaign began. On April 4, 1953, he and Golden Terror were the New Jersey Tag Team champions. He started traveling in the Midwest and wrestling in the Midwest. He won the NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship shortly after defeating Dave Sims on October 1, 1953 in Kansas City. However, he lost the championship on December 11, 1953 to Sonny Myers, who had previously held the position three times before losing to the Zebra Kid. Montana's last game of the 1950s came in 1956, winning the NWA Texas Tag Team Championship with Gene Kiniski, defeating Herb Freeman and Ray Gunkel in Dallas under the alias Len Crosby. During this time, he also worked as a bouncer to earn extra money.

Montana was a wrestler on the Carnival Circuit by the late 1950s by the late 1950s. Montana met Eddie Sharkey, then unknown, in 1960 as a popular wrestler on the circuit. The two couples formed a close friendship. Montana suggested that Sharkey try professional wrestling after seeing what Sharkey could do. Montana also weighed in in Sharkey on the then-unacknowledged truth of professional wrestling, namely that all the outcomes are predetermined. Montana won the NWA Texas World Tag Team championships with Joe Christie under the Len Crosby name later this year. Hard Boiled Haggerty won the AWA World Tag Team Championship in 1960, defeating Stan Kowalski and Tiny Mills (wrestling as Murder Inc.) in Minneapolis.

Montana sustained a fractured leg in a match against Verne Gagne, requiring Haggerty to find a new partner. Montana began to wrestle in Florida after recovering from his injury in 1961. He came from Tampa, Florida, and began wrestling under the Zebra Kid alias. At his height, he would often pinning his opponents in less than one minute. In 1961, the Zebra Kid had a long feud with Eddie Graham; their battles sold out Fort Homer Hesterly Armory many Tuesday nights. Montana came to a stop in a NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Georgia version) championship match on May 1, 1962.

He and his partner Gypsy Joe won the NWA (Georgia) Southern Tag Team Championships on November 23, 1962, defeating 'Grizzly' Jake Smith and Luke Brown. Montana then went on to form a fruitful friendship with Tarzan Tyler, which saw them win three championships in a row. On April 9, 1963, the NWA International Tag Team Championships defeated Ted Evans and Chief Little Eagle, then winning the NWA International Tag Team Championships later in June 1963, defeating billed champions Chief Little Eagle and Dick Steinborn. The pair then won the NWA World Tag Team Championship in Georgia in October 1963, defeating Karl Von Brauner and Kurt Von Brauner. Montana had intended to be Gorilla Monsoon's tag team partner in 1964, but Monsoon's last minute brought The African Savage as his partner. Montana had been keen on acting and was speaking with casting agents in Los Angeles at the same time as he was set to work with Bison. Montana began to wrestle less and went into semi-retirement, but he didn't appear in matches until his acting career began in the early 1970s.

In the late 1960s, Montana became acquainted with the Colombo criminal family. His abilities were mainly as an enforcer and an arsonist, with tall and a robust body. He told The Godfather's cast and crew how to tie a tampon to the tail of a mouse, dip it in kerosene, illuminate it, and let the mouse run through a house. Or, he'll light a candle so that the clock's bird would pop out and start a fire. Montana was eventually jailed on Rikers Island. Montana served as a bodyguard for several senior members of the Colombo family after being released.

The Godfather's filming received skepticism from the Italian-American Civil Rights League, with controversy involving Joe Colombo and Frank Sinatra jeopardizing the whole operation. Producer Al Ruddy eventually signed a contract with the league and Joe Colombo to remove the word Mafia (which was only used once in the script) and the League has pledged support for the film. This meant that mobsters would be on the set of The Godfather. When Montana was serving as a bodyguard for a senior Colombo family member, he met Francis Ford Coppola and Al Ruddy. He was soon cast for the role of Luca Brasi after being introduced to the 6'6" 320-pound Montana. When Bettye McCartt, Al Ruddy's assistant, missed her watch, Montana offered to buy her a new one. Montana received a "gift from the boys" a week later – an antique diamond watch. Since the original actor playing the role died of a stroke, he was chosen for the role. This was his first credit-based film role. Luca Brasi, a hitman used by Don Corleone, was his servant (Marlon Brando). Montana was really worried about being opposite Brando. Brasi was seen repeatedly practicing (and then fumbling) his congratulations to Corleone in several scenes by director Coppola, who later fumbled) his praise to him. Montana had no screen time in the film (although his final scene is one of the film's most suspenseful), but after appearing in The Godfather, he attracted the attention of producers.

One of these roles was the 1973 Italian spoof film The Funny Face of the Godfather. Montana played Saro, and an artist's interpretation of Montana appeared on the film's poster. He developed himself as a good character actor, appearing in Patty (1978) as the pizzeria owner Luchino (1980) and Evilspeak (1982). He appeared on television as well as on film, including on television, as well as in the big screen, as well as the film Strike Force (1975), which starred Frank Sinatra, Kojak (1978), and Magnum, P.I. (1982) It was 1982. Montana was normally described as "muscle" for hire or a threatening crowd.

Montana retired from acting after appearing in the B movie Blood Song (1982), which he also co-wrote. In Lindenhurst, New York, he died of a heart attack on May 12, 1992. He was 66 years old at the time.

In the 2022 miniseries The Offer, Lou Ferrigno portrays Montana.

Later wrestling career

Montana was on the road with the Carnival Circuit as a wrestler by the late 1950s. Montana met Eddie Sharkey, the then unknown wrestler on the circuit, in 1960. The two women developed a close bond. Montana suggested that Sharkey try professional wrestling after seeing what Sharkey could do. Montana also enlightened in Sharkey on the then-unacknowledged truth about professional wrestling, namely that all the results are predetermined. Montana defeated the NWA Texas World Tag Team titles with Joe Christie under the Len Crosby name later that year. On October 4, 1960, Hard Boiled Haggerty defeated Stan Kowalski and Tiny Mills (wrestling as Murder Inc.) in Minneapolis, beating him in the AWA World Tag Team Championship.

Montana suffered a fractured leg in a match against Verne Gagne, forcing Haggerty to choose a new partner. Montana began to wrestle in Florida after recovering from his injury. He moved to Tampa Bay and started wrestling under the Zebra Kid alias. Because of his height, he would often pinning his opponents in under a minute. The Zebra Kid had a famous feud with Eddie Graham; their wars sold out Fort Homer Hesterly Armory several Tuesday nights in 1961. Montana came to a close when they defeated Eddie Graham in a NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Georgia version) championship match on May 1, 1962.

He and his partner Gypsy Joe defeated 'Grizzly' Jake Smith and Luke Brown in the NWA (Georgia) Southern Tag Team Championships on November 23, 1962. Montana went on to form a fruitful relationship with Tarzan Tyler, which would see them win three titles. The NWA International Tag Team Championships were won by Ted Evans and Chief Little Eagle on April 9, 1963, and the NWA International Tag Team Championships were won later in June 1963, defeating the billed champions Chief Little Eagle and Dick Steinborn. The pair also won the NWA World Tag Team Championship in Georgia, defeating Karl Von Brauner and Kurt Von Brauner. Montana had intended to be Gorilla Monsoon's tag team partner in 1964, but Monsoon decided against The African Savage instead. Montana had been interested in acting and was speaking with casting agents in Los Angeles at the same time as he was scheduled to work with Bison. Montana began to wrestle less and went into semi-retirement; however, he continued to compete in matches until his acting career began in the early 1970s.

In the late 1960s, Montana became acquainted with the Colombo murder family. His abilities were mainly as an enforcer and an arsonist, with tall, heavy builder. He told the cast and crew of The Godfather how to tie a tampon to the tail of a mouse, dip it in kerosene, illuminate it, and allow the mouse to run through a house, or hang a lit candle in front of a cuckoo clock so that when the clock's bird comes out the candle will be knocked out and start a fire. Montana was eventually released on Rikers Island after being convicted. Montana served as a bodyguard for several senior members of the Colombo family when she was released.

The Godfather's filming received a strong reaction from the Italian-American Civil Rights League, with disagreements led by Joe Colombo and Frank Sinatra jeopardizing the entire project. Al Ruddy, a film maker, and Joe Colombo decided to eliminate the word Mafia (which was only used once in the script) and the League and Joe Colombo agreed to a deal), and the League will fund the film's production. On the set of The Godfather, obstobsters would have been present. He met Francis Ford Coppola and Al Ruddy in 1971, when Montana was serving as a bodyguard for a senior Colombo family member. They rushed to cast him in the role of Luca Brasi after being introduced to the 6'6" 320-pound Montana. When Bettye McCartt, Al Ruddy's secretary, lost her watch, Montana gave her a new one. Montana returned from the boys with a "gift from the boys" a week later – an ancient diamond watch. Since the original actor playing the role died of a stroke, he was chosen for the role. This was his first recognized film role. Luca Brasi, a riot enforcer used by Don Corleone (Marlon Brando), was in charge of his job. Montana was incredibly worried about being opposite Brando. Brasi repeatedly practicing (and later fumbling) his congratulations to Corleone as a result of real-life drama, directed by Coppola. Montana had little screen time in the film (although his final scene is one of the film's most suspenseful), but his distinctive height and physique attracted the attention of directors, and after appearing in The Godfather, he appeared in numerous movies and television shows.

The Funny Face of the Godfather, an Italian spoof film that was one of the first of these roles, was released in 1973. Montana played Saro, and an artist's interpretation of Montana appeared on the film's poster. He established himself as a good actor and appeared in Patty (1978), Fingers (1979), They Went That-A-Way (1979), 5" (1980) and Blood Song (1982), Monarch (1981), Hands of the Country (1980), The Jerk (1980), Pughello, Matilda (1978) and Blood Song (1982). Richard Gere appeared on television as well as on the big screen in Search (1973), Strike Force (1977), which starred Frank Sinatra, Kojak (1978), and Magnum, P.I. (1982) "In 1982" The Eighties (and the '80s) was the source of the series. Montana was typically seen as either a "muscle" for recruiter or a threatening crowd.

Since appearing in the B film Blood Song (1982), which he also co-wrote, Montana retired from acting. He died in Lindenhurst, New York, on May 12, 1992, of a heart attack. He was 66 years old.

In the 2022 miniseries The Offer, Lou Ferrigno portrays Montana.

Film and TV career

In 1973, the first of these roles was the Italian spoof film The Funny Face of the Godfather. Montana starred Saro, and an artist's interpretation of Montana appeared on the film's poster. He established himself as a good actor and appeared in Patty (1978), Fingers (1978), He Begged A Wrong (1980) and Blood Song (1982), a film by Stanley Cooper (1979). He appeared on television as well as on big screen in Search (1973), Strike Force (1975), which starred Frank Sinatra, Kojak (1978), and Magnum, P.I. (1982) Montana was traditionally seen as "muscle" for hire or a threatening crowd.

After appearing in the B film Blood Song (1982), which also co-wrote, Montana retired from acting. In Lindenhurst, New York, he died of a heart attack on May 12, 1992. He was 66 years old when he died.

In the 2022 miniseries The Offer, Lou Ferrigno portrays Montana.

Source