PERSONALITY PEEKS:
GIANNI RUSSO, Actor/Singer
by FRANK O'DONNELL
November 8, 2007
Gianni Russo’s phone message succinctly captures his philosophy. “Hope you’re having a great day,” he says. “I know I am.”
Russo is perhaps best known as the Carlo Rizzi, the son-in-law of Don Vito Corleone in “The Godfather.”
“Primarily, I’m an actor,” said Russo when we finally caught up for our phone interview. “I’ve done 42 features, but people only remember me as Carlo.”
Does that bother him? “Not at all. How many people can be in a film classic? I think it’s more popular now, because it’s crossed over three generations. Young people come up to me on the street today saying, ‘Hi, Carlo.’ When we made the movie 36 years ago, none of us realized the impact it would have.”
Russo’s also appeared in movies like “Seabiscuit” and “Strip Tease,” with Demi Moore. “I was in ‘Any Given Sunday,’ which reacquainted me with Al Pacino.”
These days, Russo is also working as a singer and entertainer. On Thursday, November 29, he takes his show – “Gianni Russo: An Evening You Cant’ Refuse” – to Catch A Rising Star Comedy Club inside Twin River in Lincoln.
“I’ll be doing a tribute to everyone I’ve seen live on stage during my life. Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin.”
These are not impressions. “These are their signature tunes,” says Russo. “I had the privilege of seeing all these performers live.”
His singing career is something new. “All Italians think they can sing and cook. I’ve been getting paid as a singer only recently.”
In between songs, Russo talks with the audience, about his experiences with “The Godfather,” and more. “It’s a lot of fun, interactive, with a lot of story telling and a lot of good music. I even do Elvis.”
When he’s not working on his stage show, Russo’s preparing a film project. “It’s a film I wrote, based on my biography. Mark Wahlberg is playing me in the movie.” It centers on Russo’s experiences in the 60’s and the 70’s. “We’re in pre-production now, and we begin shooting in March. People are already comparing it to ‘Godfather 4.’ I should have that luck.”
Russo is no stranger to Rhode Island. “I used to spend a lot of time on Federal Hill. I married a Rhode Island girl a long time ago. We have a lovely daughter.” The couple is no longer married.
Back to the show. I ask if Russo will do any selections from Al Martino, who also appeared in “The Godfather,” as the singer Johnny Fontane.
“No Al Martino. I’ll let Al do Al. Most everyone (whose songs I sing) is dead, except for Tony Bennett.” He pauses, and laughs a little. “I’m sorry. I should have said passed on.”
[Catch “Gianni Russo: An Evening You Can’t Refuse” at Catch A Rising Star Comedy Club in Lincoln, Thursday, November 29. The 7:30PM show includes an Italian-style buffet. The 10PM show includes dessert. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at (401) 331-2211, or log onto ticketmaster.com.]
Reprinted with permission from The Valley Breeze
