{"product_id":"book-cq2h","title":"Hollywood Godfather","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Gianni Russo walks the walk and talks the talk. What a life. Fascinating. A worthy read.\" — Robert De Niro\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis program is read by the author and includes a bonus conversation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe over-the-top memoir of a real-life mobster-turned-actor who helped make \u003ci\u003eThe Godfather \u003c\/i\u003ea reality, and his story of life on the edge between danger and glamour.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGianni Russo was a handsome 25-year-old mobster with no acting experience when he walked onto the set of \u003ci\u003eThe Godfather\u003c\/i\u003e and entered Hollywood history. He played Carlo Rizzi, the husband of Connie Corleone, who set her brother Sonny—played by James Caan—up for a hit. Russo didn't have to act—he knew the mob inside and out: from his childhood in Little Italy, where Mafia legend Frank Costello took him under his wing, to acting as a messenger for New Orleans mob boss Carlos Marcello during the Kennedy assassination, to having to go on the lam after shooting and killing a member of the Colombian drug cartel in his Vegas club. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlong the way, Russo befriended Frank Sinatra, who became his son's godfather, and Marlon Brando, who mentored his career as an actor after trying to get Francis Ford Coppola to fire him from \u003ci\u003eThe Godfather\u003c\/i\u003e. Russo had passionate affairs with Marilyn Monroe, Liza Minelli, and scores of other celebrities. He went on to star in \u003ci\u003eThe Godfather: Parts I and II\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eSeabiscuit, Any Given Sunday\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eRush Hour 2,\u003c\/i\u003e among many other films, and also acted as producer on several. \u003ci\u003eHollywood Godfather\u003c\/i\u003e is his no-holds-barred account of a life lived on the edge. It is a story filled with violence, glamour, sex—and fun.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Macmillan Audio","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49378276999472,"sku":"BDcq2h","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio CD [40]","offer_id":49378277032240,"sku":"40cq2h","price":45.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/223200-cq2h-Square.jpg?v=1734935754","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-cq2h","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}