Richard S. Castellano

Richard Salvatore Castellano (September 4, 1933 – December 10, 1988) was an American actor who is best remembered for his Oscar-nominated role in Lovers and Other Strangers and his subsequent role as Peter Clemenza in The Godfather. 2Biography Richard S. Castellano was born in the Bronx, New York to an Italian Catholic family. According to Castellano's widow, he was the nephew of Gambino crime family boss Paul Castellano. 2Career Castellano gained worldwide fame for his role in Lovers and Other Strangers (1970), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. He achieved further stardom in 1972 for playing the part of Peter Clemenza, in The Godfather. The Godfather became the highest-grossing film up to that time. Castellano, along with several other cast members, became widely known from the popular film. He spoke one of the film's most famous lines, "Leave the gun; take the cannoli," which he partially ad-libbed.Castellano also appeared on television, playing the lead roles of Joe Girelli in the television situation comedy The Super (10 episodes in 1972). His real-life daughter Margaret Castellano portrayed his character's daughter Joanne. He also portrayed the lead Joe Vitale in Joe and Sons (1975-1976).Castellano did not reprise his role as Clemenza in The Godfather Part II (1974