Richard Salvatore Castellano (September 4, 1933 – December 10, 1988) was an American actor.
Castellano was born in the Bronx. His greatest fame came from playing the part of Peter Clemenza, in The Godfather. His most famous quote from the film is "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli" which he ad-libbed.[1] He also appeared on television, playing the lead roles of Joe Girelli in the TV sitcom The Super and Joe Vitale in Joe and Sons.
He did not reprise his role in The Godfather Part II due to Castellano's and his agent insisting that they have control over the characters dialog. Francis Ford Coppola explains how as the director this was untenable and therefore he was not in the movie. His omission from the movie was written in that the character had died sometime between the end of the first movie and the start of the second.
Castellano was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Lovers and Other Strangers.[2]
Castellano died from a heart attack in 1988.
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