Richard S. Castellano was an American actor who is best known for his roles in The Godfather, Lovers and Other Strangers, and Honor Thy Father. He gained fame for his portrayal of the character Clemenza in the iconic film The Godfather.
Personal and Family Life
Richard Salvatore Castellano was born on September 4, 1933, in the Bronx, New York. He had one child from his first marriage to Margaret Tiernan, which ended in divorce. Later, he married Ardell Sheridan, who was with him until his passing in 1988.
Career
Before becoming an actor, Castellano worked as a construction company manager and performed with the New Yiddish Theatre. He gained recognition for his role in Lovers and Other Strangers, which earned him an Oscar nomination. His strong performance in The Godfather typecast him in crime roles, but he became a memorable figure in the genre.
Death and Legacy
Richard Castellano died from a heart attack on December 10, 1988, at the age of 55. His widow, Ardell Sheridan, later published a book highlighting his contributions to The Godfather, showcasing his influence on the film and its character development.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Night of the Juggler | 1980-06-06 | Lt. Tonelli |
| Dear Mr. Wonderful | 1982-08-24 | Agent |
| Honor Thy Father | 1973-03-01 | Frank Labruzzo |
| Lovers and Other Strangers | 1970-08-12 | Frank Vecchio |
| Gangster Wars | 1981-04-09 | Giuseppe “Joe the Boss” Masseria |
| Incident on a Dark Street | 1973-01-13 | Frank Romeo |
| The Star Wagon | 1966-10-20 | Burly Buglar |
| A Lovely Way to Die | 1968-04-19 | Bartender (uncredited) |
| The Godfather 1901–1959: The Complete Epic | 1981-03-24 | Peter Clemenza |
| The Godfather | 1972-03-14 | Clemenza |
| Naked City | 1958-09-30 | Bartender (uncredited) |
| The Super | 1972-06-21 | |
| Joe and Sons | 1975-04-18 | |
| The Gangster Chronicles | 1981-02-02 | Joe ‘The Boss’ Masseria |
| Mario Puzo’s The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Television | 1977-11-12 | Peter Clemenza |
| The Ed Sullivan Show | 1948-06-20 | Self – Guest |