Since its premiere in 1972, "The Godfather" has swept 9 Oscars for epic gangster films, and has been hailed as the first must-see movie for men. It redefined gangster films, it made Coppola, Brando, Pacino, and the pinnacle of gangster films.
It's been 52 years in the blink of an eye, let's take a look at the past and present changes in the actors in "The Godfather", some people may be "disabled", but some people have successfully "counterattacked". When looking back at the changes of these actors, we can't help but sigh: time is indeed a double-edged sword.
1] Vito Corleone (actor: Marlon Brando).
He is a far-sighted and cautious gang leader, revered as the "Godfather" and the protector of many vulnerable civilians. Despite being a gangster boss, he's not a simple villain. He shows the complexity of human nature, showing love for family and trust in friends, which makes him a character who is loved and respected by audiences.
Marlon Brando showed a talent for acting from an early age, studying acting at Stanislavsky's School of Drama. His breakthrough work in the film industry was "The King of the Theater" in 1951, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. After that, he starred in many classic films such as "Gone with the Wind", "Horse Drinker", "Slingshot", etc., and created a series of iconic roles, which were deeply loved by the audience.
However, it was not all smooth sailing, and he was also plagued by various controversies and troubles. The appearance of Brando in his later years has undergone certain changes. When he was young, he was handsome and chic, and gradually showed mature masculine charm after middle age, and in his later years, he was tempered by time, and his face gradually showed traces of time. He died at home on July 1, 2004, at the age of 80, due to complications from pneumonia.
II] Michael (Actor: Al Pacino).
Michael is one of the main characters in this classic movie and the youngest son of the "godfather". At first, Michael didn't want to join his father's gangster business, but wanted to pursue his own career through legitimate means. But after the family was violently attacked, he was forced to get involved in the struggle of the yakuza family and eventually took over the family's business.
Al Pacino's performance in "The Godfather" is the pinnacle of his career and one of the classics in film history. Through his superb performance, the audience witnessed the growth and change of Michael's character, as well as the cruelty and complexity of the gangster world. The film not only became a milestone in Pacino's career, but also an indelible classic in film history.
As he grew older, Pacino's appearance changed a bit. His facial lines are deeper, showing a mature and vicissitudes of temperament, but he still retains his charming charm and performance energy. However, no matter how his appearance changes, his life experiences and achievements have inspired generations of fans and actors, and has become a role model for many entertainers to follow.
3] Sonny (actor: James Kane).
Sonny is the eldest son of the Vito Corleone family and a strong contender to carry on the family business. Sonny is known for his unruly personality and fiery temper, which makes him highly respected in the Alpha family, but it also brings a series of problems and challenges, but he is extremely loyal to the family.
James Caan is a highly respected American actor. His career in Hollywood spanned decades and spanned a variety of fields including film, television, and stage plays. One of his most famous roles was Sonny in the 1972 film The Godfather, a role that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and cemented his standing in Hollywood.
On a sad moment on July 6, 2022, James Kane passed away in Los Angeles, USA, at the age of 82, when he also suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure. Although he has left us, his light will always shine in film and television works and remain in our hearts forever.
4] Fredo (actor: John Kaisel).
In the film, Fredo is the second son of the Vito Corleone family and the second of three brothers. Compared to his brother Michael's calmness and intelligence, Fredo appears hesitant, weak, and immature. His lack of leadership skills and his frequent slightdowns and neglect by his family members make his role both sympathetic and embarrassing.
John Keisel's career has focused primarily on the film side. His first film was 1972's The Godfather, in which he played the role of Fredo, and won the approval of the audience for his outstanding performance. At his peak, Keisel faced the greatest challenge of his life, and in 1978 he was diagnosed with lung cancer, which undoubtedly became the heaviest burden of his life.
Despite his terminal illness, Keisel chose tenacity and bravery. He did not give up his acting career, but participated in the filming of classic films such as "The Godfather 2" with a more focused and dedicated attitude, showing unparalleled acting skills. However, on March 12, 1978, John Cazale died of lung cancer at the age of 42.
5] Tom Hagen (actor: Robert Duvall).
Tom Hagen, as the adopted son of Vito Corleone, has a status of both a member of the family and an elite of the legal profession, which makes him play a key role as a bridge between the ** party and the legal society. His responsibilities include handling the family's legal affairs, providing legal protection to the family, and representing the Corleone family in business negotiations and political transactions.
Duvall has played a variety of roles, including Tom Haas in "The Godfather", Blake in "Crazy Stone", Billy Babbitt in "Psychopath", and many more, all of which have left a deep impression on the audience. He has won several important awards such as the Academy Award and the Golden Globe Award for his outstanding performance.
Duvall is praised for his heartfelt acting and solid acting skills, and in addition to his excellent acting skills, his personal life is equally colorful, having been through four marriages. As the years passed, his appearance also changed, and the handsome elegance of his youth gradually faded, replaced by vicissitudes and maturity.
6] Connie (actor: Talia Shire).
Connie, the daughter of Vito Corleone, has experienced conflicts and wars within her family, witnessed strife and sacrifice between family members, and at the same time, Connie's personal life has been greatly affected, and her marriage has encountered many challenges, including a complicated relationship with her husband Carlo and marital violence.
Talia Charles received widespread recognition and acclaim for her role in Rocky, which earned her her first Oscar nomination. However, what really made Talia a superstar in the film industry should be her role as Connie in "The Godfather". Her deep understanding and touching interpretation of Connie made the character unforgettable.
The appearance of Talia Shire, who is in her late teens, has also changed. Her image in her youth was that of a typical beautiful actress with a unique temperament. As she gets older, she looks more mature and restrained, but still exudes elegance and charm.
7] Carlo Rizzi (actor: Gianni Russo).
Carlo is Connie's husband, who was initially just an Italian immigrant, and after marrying Connie, he longed to improve his social status through his marriage. However, Carlo's betrayal and mistreatment of Connie led to an irreconcilable conflict between him and Michael, and his fate ended in tragedy.
Russo's acting career began at a young age, however, his real brilliance came in "The Godfather". In this classic, he plays Carlo Rizzi, not only a character, but also a key character in the whole story. His excellent performance is impressive and adds a unique touch to the film.
In addition to his brilliance on screen, he is also a high-profile singer. His talent is also loved by the world. Now he is 79 years old, compared with Carlo in "The Godfather", he may be less youthful and frivolous, and more vicissitudes and maturity.
8] Kay Adams (actor: Diane Keaton).
Kay is Michael's girlfriend, and after Michael fled to Sicily, he got a college degree and became an elementary school teacher. After Michael returned from Sicily, the two got married, but she never knew what the Corleone family was doing. Until Michael killed his brother-in-law Carlo. She understood her husband's world and began to chant sutras every day.
In 1972, Diane Keaton's performance in The Godfather made her a high-profile star in the film industry and won her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Subsequently, her outstanding performances in several films with Woody Allen, such as "Annie Hall" and "Manhattan", further cemented her status.
Today, at the age of 78, she is still active in the film industry and has participated in the shooting of some well-known films. In addition, she is actively involved in a number of social activities, focusing on women's rights, environmental protection and philanthropy. In addition to being an actress, she is also a successful director and writer, showing her versatile side.
9] Clemenza (actor: Richard Castelno).
The left arm of the Godfather, a big man, brave and fearless, is in charge of the Bronx area, is the Godfather's protective wall, and is responsible for the Godfather's safety. The godfather was also loyal after his death, and later diverted from the godfather's business to develop his own team.
Richard Castelno has only appeared in a few films, but his role as Clemenza in the 1972 classic "The Godfather" became an integral part of the film, and his performance won the hearts of many audiences.
Unfortunately, however, in December 1988 he died of a heart attack at the age of 55.
10] Solozo (actor: Al Letieri).
He is a member of the Italian ** party, and a representative of the criminal group family, very capable, not disciplined by others, squatting in prison has a criminal record, ** knows his identity as a drug dealer. He asked his godfather to help sell drugs, and after being rejected by his godfather, he planned **, and in the end**, he was killed by Michael at the climax of the movie.
Lettieri started her acting career very late, trying to figure out in her 30s. His stage experience gained through performing in small theaters in New York, which laid the foundation for his later success in the film industry. One of his most prominent performances was playing the role of Solozzo in the classic 1972 gangster film The Godfather, which won praise from audiences for his outstanding performance.
However, it is embarrassing that Letieri, a high-profile actor, died in a hurry on October 18, 1975 due to a sudden heart attack, at the age of 47.
Okay, so that's all there is to the past and present changes of the 10 actors in "The Godfather", which one shocked you the most? You can discuss it with you in the comment area! If you like this type of article, you may want to check out my other works. Follow me to learn more about film and television dramas.