Richard S. Castellano(1933-1988)
- Actor
Bronx born, stocky Italian-American actor who only appeared in a
handful of films, yet earned some degree of immortality for his role as
the loyal Corleone capo "Peter Clemenza" teaching Al Pacino how to shoot
a crooked police captain in the iconic gangster film The Godfather (1972). He was
originally a construction company manager, then he gained work with the
New Yiddish Theatre, before breaking into film near his thirtieth
birthday. However in 1970, in only his fourth film, Castellano received
a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his performance in Lovers and Other Strangers (1970) and
came to the attention of casting agents for The Godfather (1972). After his strong
showing as a tough hoodlum in The Godfather (1972), he became somewhat typecast as a
screen criminal and appeared in further crime films including Honor Thy Father (1973)
and Gangster Wars (1981).
He died in December 1988 from a heart attack at the age of 55.
He died in December 1988 from a heart attack at the age of 55.
