Richard S. Castellano
Richard S. Castellano was born in The Bronx, New York, United States on September 4th, 1933 and is the Movie Actor. At the age of 55, Richard S. Castellano biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, movies, and networth are available.
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Richard Salvatore Castellano (September 4, 1933 – December 10, 1988) was an American actor best known for his appearances in Lovers and Other Strangers and his subsequent role as Peter Clemenza in The Godfather.
Early life
Castellano was born in New York City's Queens borough on September 4, 1933. Mariantonia Angello and Filippo Castellano's parents, who immigrated from Castrofilippo, Sicily, were Italian immigrants. Salvatore was named after his oldest brother, who died two years before he was born.
After his death, Castellano's widow Ardell Sheridan said he was the nephew of Gambino crime boss Paul Castellano, but Richard's sister dismissed this allegation as inaccurate: "We're no relation."
Career
Castellano gained worldwide fame for his role in Lovers and Other Strangers (1970), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1972, he rose to fame as Peter Clemenza in The Godfather. The Godfather was the highest-grossing film to date. Castellano, as well as many other cast members, became well-known from the film. He spoke on one of the film's most famous lines, "Leave the pistol, take the cannoli," which he partially adlibbed.
Castellano also appeared on television, playing Joe Girelli, the lead role of Joe Girelli in the television situation comedy The Super (10 episodes in 1972). Margaret Castellano, his real-life son, portrayed Joanne, his character's daughter. In Joe and Sons (1975-1966), he also portrayed lead Joe Vitale.
Castellano did not reprise his role as Clemenza in The Godfather Part II (1974). According to reports, he was denied because Castellano and his agent insisted on having absolute say over the character's dialogue. Director Francis Ford Coppola said that this was unsustainable and spelled Castellano's Clemenza out of the film, introducing the new character Frank Pentangeli (played by Michael V. Gazzo) in his place. In a 1991 letter to People magazine, Castellano's widow denied this account. Castellano said he did not participate in the sequel because he did not agree that the Clemenza's character should be made a traitor. He had other differences with Coppola, including confusion over how much weight he was supposed to gain for the role. In Part II of Bruno Kirby, Clemenza was depicted as a young man. In The Super Bowl, he played the son of Castellano's character.