The Godfather

The Godfather

by

Mario Puzo

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on The Godfather makes teaching easy.

Don Vito Corleone

Vito Corleone is the novel’s titular Godfather and the patriarch and “Don” (Boss) of the Corleone Family, one of the five Mafia crime families in New York. He is also among the novel’s… read analysis of Don Vito Corleone

Santino “Sonny” Corleone

Sonny is the eldest son of Don Vito Corleone and one of the novel’s principle protagonists. In contrast to his father’s even-tempered demeanor and tendency to make violence a last resort, Sonny is hotheaded, impetuous… read analysis of Santino “Sonny” Corleone

Michael Corleone

Michael is Don Vito Corleone’s third-youngest child who becomes the new Don of the Corleone Crime Family after his father’s retirement and subsequent passing. Unlike the hotheaded Sonny and the passive Fredo, Michael… read analysis of Michael Corleone

Frederico “Fredo” Corleone

Fredo is Don Vito Corleone’s second-youngest child. Like his older brother, Sonny, Fredo wants to join the Family business. However, Fredo is a passive, often weak-willed individual who lacks Sonny’s ruthlessness and Michaelread analysis of Frederico “Fredo” Corleone

Constanzia “Connie” Corleone

Connie is Don Vito Corleone’s youngest child and his only daughter. As a woman, she has no role to play in the Corleone Family’s deeply patriarchal criminal enterprise. Puzo first introduces Connie at the… read analysis of Constanzia “Connie” Corleone
Get the entire The Godfather LitChart as a printable PDF.
The Godfather PDF

Mama Corleone

Mama Corleone, whose first name does not appear in the novel, is the wife of Don Vito Corleone and the mother of Sonny, Fredo, Michael, and Connie. Born in Sicily, Mama… read analysis of Mama Corleone

Thomas “Tom” Hagen

Tom is a lawyer, the Corleone Family Consigliere (councilor), and the unofficially adopted son of Don Vito Corleone and Mama Corleone. Tom is of Irish and German heritage and is the first non-Sicilian to… read analysis of Thomas “Tom” Hagen

Johnny Fontane

Johnny is Don Vito Corleone’s godson. He is a famous singer and actor who hails from New York’s Little Italy neighborhood, where he grew up as a close friend of Sonny Corleone and the… read analysis of Johnny Fontane

Peter “Pete” Clemenza

Clemenza is a powerful caporegime—a Mafia captain who controls his own territory, acts on orders from the Don, and directs a group of mob soldiers who carry out those orders—in the Corleone crime Family… read analysis of Peter “Pete” Clemenza

Salvatore “Sal” Tessio

Tessio is the other powerful caporegime in the Corleone Family alongside Peter Clemenza. Tessio first collaborates with Vito Corleone and Clemenza as a young man in Little Italy. When Don Fanucci demands protection money… read analysis of Salvatore “Sal” Tessio

Virgil “The Turk” Sollozzo

Sollozzo is a narcotics smuggler and dealer. He approaches Don Vito Corleone with a proposition to make the Corleone Family partners in his heroin ring in exchange for protection from the corrupt judges and politicians… read analysis of Virgil “The Turk” Sollozzo

Captain Mark McCluskey

McCluskey is a corrupt Irish-American police captain who is on the payrolls of both Virgil Sollozzo and the Tattaglias. McCluskey first appears in the novel after Michael calls the police to report the loss… read analysis of Captain Mark McCluskey

Luca Brasi

Brasi is Don Corleone’s most loyal and trusted enforcer, a Mafia henchman who carries out murders and beatings on behalf of the Don. Luca is a towering figure whose fearsome size and… read analysis of Luca Brasi

Kay Adams

Kay is Michael Corleone’s long-term girlfriend and eventual wife, as well as the mother of his children. Born in New Hampshire to a Baptist minister (Mr. Adams) and a homemaker (Mrs.read analysis of Kay Adams

Jack Woltz

Woltz is a wealthy and powerful Hollywood movie producer who bitterly resents Johnny Fontane after the latter has an affair with Woltz’s young girlfriend. In addition to his money and influence within the movie industry… read analysis of Jack Woltz

Paulie Gatto

Gatto is Peter Clemenza’s handpicked protégé and Don Vito Corleone’s bodyguard. Paulie works for Clemenza as a “button man,” a soldier who executes an order (usually murder) after the caporegime “presses… read analysis of Paulie Gatto

Rocco Lampone

Lampone is an associate in Peter Clemenza’s regime. He is a former soldier who sustained a knee injury under combat in North Africa that left him with a limp. After Lampone was discharged from… read analysis of Rocco Lampone

Nino Valenti

Nino Valenti is Johnny Fontane’s boyhood friend and eventual musical collaborator. Like Fontane, Valenti is also one of Don Vito Corleone’s godsons. A skilled mandolin player and songwriter, Valenti sings backup for Fontane and… read analysis of Nino Valenti

Dr. Jules Segal

Segal is a brilliant surgeon who worked at an East Coast university hospital before the administration blacklisted him for performing abortions, which were illegal at the time. He relocates to Las Vegas, where he takes… read analysis of Dr. Jules Segal

Lucy Mancini

Lucy is Connie Corleone’s best friend who serves as maid of honor at her wedding. She is also Sonny Corleone’s longtime mistress. At the wedding, Lucy escapes into the Corleone house to have… read analysis of Lucy Mancini

Carlo Rizzi

Rizzi is Connie Corleone’s husband. His father was Sicilian and his mother was from North Italy. As a result, he has striking blond hair and lacks the darker complexion of the Sicilians around him… read analysis of Carlo Rizzi

Amerigo Bonasera

Bonasera is a Sicilian-American undertaker who owns a successful funeral parlor. He is a long-time friend of the Corleone Family, and Don Vito Corleone and Mama Corleone are godparents to his daughter. Bonasera appears early… read analysis of Amerigo Bonasera

Margot Ashton

Johnny Fontaine’s second wife. Margot is a well-known and glamorous Hollywood actress whom Fontaine married after he divorced Virginia. Ashton and Fontane’s marriage is tumultuous: she openly cheats on him (partly in response… read analysis of Margot Ashton

Nazorine

A baker who immigrated to New York from Sicily. He grew up with Vito Corleone in Italy, and the two men remained friends in America. Nazorine once called on Don Vito’s assistance after the owner… read analysis of Nazorine

Albert “Al” Neri

Neri is a former Sicilian American New York City police officer who becomes Michael Corleone’s loyal and trusted bodyguard and enforcer. As a police officer, Neri amassed a fearsome reputation as short-tempered and… read analysis of Albert “Al” Neri

Fabrizzio

Michael’s bodyguard (along with Calo) in Sicily. He is a former sailor in the Italian Navy and has a distinctive tattoo of a husband stabbing his wife and her lover. Fabrizzio betrays Michael… read analysis of Fabrizzio

Genco Abbandando

The Corleone Family’s original Consigliere and Tom Hagen’s predecessor. A lifelong friend of Don Vito Corleone, Genco grew up in Hell’s Kitchen, where his family owned a grocery store. When Vito arrives in… read analysis of Genco Abbandando

Les Halley

The bandleader who signed Johnny Fontane to a five-year personal services contract. The contract allows him to loan Fontane out and pocket most of the money he makes. With the help of Luca Brasi and… read analysis of Les Halley

Jerry Wagner and Kevin Moonan

Wagner, a wealthy college fraternity member, and Moonan, the son of a politician, are two thugs who brutally beat Bonasera’s daughter. After a judge suspends their sentence for the assault, Bonasera calls on Donread analysis of Jerry Wagner and Kevin Moonan

Don Fanucci

The freelance “Black Hand” extortionist in Hell’s Kitchen and Vito Corleone’s first hit. Fanucci extorts “protection” money from individuals and storekeepers and soon conflicts with the young Vito Corleone. However, Vito… read analysis of Don Fanucci

The Bocchicchio Family

A branch of the Sicilian Mafia whom Don Corleone calls to broker the peace meeting between the Five Families. After fleeing a mob war in Sicily, the Bocchicchio Family establishes a successful garbage hauling… read analysis of The Bocchicchio Family

Emilio Barzini

The Don of the Barzini Family, the second most powerful Family behind the Corleones. Barzini controls gambling in Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. He also has interests in Las Vegas, Cuba, and Miami Beach. Barzini… read analysis of Emilio Barzini

Felix Bocchicchio

A member of the Bocchicchio Family who trains as a lawyer. After murdering the man who accuses him of legal fraud and being sentenced to death, Don Vito Corleone convinces Felix to also confess to… read analysis of Felix Bocchicchio

Al Capone

The powerful Don of Chicago’s Mafia organization, known as “The Outfit.” He attempts to murder Don Vito Corleone in order to overtake the Corleone Family’s crime rackets. However, Don Corleone sends Luca Brasi to… read analysis of Al Capone

Moe Greene

The Mafia-connected head of multiple casinos in Las Vegas. The Corleone Family bankrolls Greene’s hotel-casino. Greene also gives Fredo Corleone a job in the casino at the request of Don Corleone. When Michaelread analysis of Moe Greene
Minor Characters
Katherine
Nazorine’s young daughter. She is in love with Enzo, the Italian prisoner of war.
Filomena
Nazorine’s wife and Katherine’s mother.
Enzo
An Italian prisoner of war paroled to work in New York City. He is Nazorine’s helper and Katherine’s boyfriend and eventual fiancé.
Anthony Coppola
The son of a man Vito Corleone worked with as a youth in the railroad yards. He asks the Don for $500 to open up a pizzeria.
Sandra Corleone
Sonny Corleone’s wife and the mother of his children.
Mrs. Abbandando
Genco Abbandando’s elderly wife.
Dr. Kennedy
The wealthy doctor who tends to Genco Abbandando on his deathbed.
J. Edgar Hoover
The powerful director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Hoover is a friend of movie mogul Jack Woltz.
Billy Goff
A powerful member the Hollywood labor unions who is connected to Don Vito Corleone. At the Don’s request, Goff instigates labor strikes to punish Jack Woltz. Later in the novel, Goff blocks Johnny Fontane’s plans to release his own films. As a result, Tom Hagen has Goff murdered.
Theresa Hagen
Tom Hagen’s wife.
Billy
Johnny Fontane’s butler.
Sharon Moore
An aspiring actress from Greenwich Village, New York, who comes to Hollywood to audition for a part in a movie. She rejects Johnny Fontane’s sexual advances, which baffles him.
Virginia “Ginny” Fontane
The estranged first wife of Johnny Fontane and the mother of his two daughters. Johnny divorces her to marry a young starlet named Margot Ashton, resulting in an bitter split in which Virginia receives a major settlement. After Johnny separates from Margot, he and Virginia reunite as platonic friends.
Roy McElroy
The public relations counsel for the Woltz International Film Corporation. He hosts a Hollywood Lonely Hearts Party at his lavish house.
Deanna Dunn
An Academy Award-winning film starlet who performs oral sex on Nino Valenti at McElroy’s party.
Maranzalla
A Hell’s Kitchen gangster who leads a criminal ring that specializes in extortion, armed robbery, and gambling.
Signora Colombo
A poor widow who comes to young Vito Corleone for help after her landlord, Mr. Roberto, evicts her from her apartment for keeping a dog.
Mr. Roberto
Signora Columbo’s landlord who evicts her for keeping a dog. After Vito Corleone implores him to reconsider the eviction, he learns of Vito’s reputation and allows her to stay.
Salvatore Maranzano
Manhattan's gambling chief following the repeal of Prohibition. He connects with Vito Corleone in a crime partnership.
Detective Siriani
The investigative partner of Detective John Philips.
Mr. Adams
A Baptist minister and Kay Adams’s father.
Mrs. Adams
Kay Adams’s mother.
Sally Rags and Coach
Two bookmakers who work under Carlo Rizzi.
Carlo Tremonti
The Sicilian boss of mob territory in the American South. He is based in Florida, where he controls gambling in Southern towns, as well as in Cuba.
Joseph Zaluci
The Don of Detroit’s Mafia Family. He opposes the Mafia’s involvement in drug trafficking.
Frank Falcone and Anthony Molinari
Mafia Dons from the West Coast. Falcone controls the movie unions and gambling at the movie studios, as well as prostitution in the West. Molinari controls the San Francisco waterfronts, sports gambling, and ensures protection for Fredo Corleone when he moves to Las Vegas to work with Moe Greene.
Domenick Panza
The Don of Boston’s Mafia Family. The other Dons distrust him because his organization is chaotic and rife with violent disorder.
Vincent Forlenza
The Don from Cleveland who controls almost exclusively gambling. Other Mafia members refer to his Family as “the Jewish Family” because many of his advisors are Jewish men.
Anthony Stracci
A Don who controls the New Jersey area and the shipping on the West Side docks of Manhattan. His is the least powerful of New York’s Five Families.
Ottilio Cuneo
The Don of the Family that controls Upstate New York. He smuggles Italian immigrants from Canada and controls all upstate gambling and the state licensing of racing tracks.
Phillip Tattaglia
The Don of the Tattaglia Family and the father of Bruno Tattaglia. He controls prostitution in New York and allies with Barzini in a war against the Corleone Family.
Bruno Tattaglia
The son of Phillip Tattaglia. Bruno controls an exclusive nightclub, where he and Sollozzo murder Luca Brasi. Sonny Corleone retaliates for Brasi’s murder by killing Bruno.
Dr. Frederick Kellner
A Los Angeles-based surgeon who performs the vaginal reconstruction surgery on Lucy Mancini.
Don Tommasino
The powerful Mafia Don in Sicily and ally of Don Vito Corleone. Don Tommasino looks after Michael when he hides in Sicily to flee murder charges.
Dr. Taza
Don Tommasino’s uncle.
Calo
One of Michael’s shepherd bodyguards in Sicily, the other being Fabrizzio.
Apollonia
A beautiful young Sicilian girl whom Michael marries during his exile in Sicily. She ultimately dies in a car bomb explosion intended for Michael.
Signora Vitelli
Apollonia’s mother.
Signor Vitelli
Apollonia’s father.
Filomena
An elderly Sicilian midwife whom Michael encounters during his exile in Sicily. She maintains a deep hatred for Luca Brasi, who once forced her to murder his newborn child.
Rita Neri
Al Neri’s estranged wife.
Thomas
Al Neri’s nephew.
Wax Baines
An African American pimp, dope-pusher, and strong-arm artist. Neri kills him in a fit of rage.
Detective John Phillips
A cop on the Corleone Family payroll