Gianni Russo, known for his supporting role in the iconic movie “The Godfather,” is now making bold claims about his involvement in historical events.
In his newly released book, “Hollywood Godfather: My Life in the Movies and the Mob,” Russo shares intriguing stories of his connections to the JFK assassination, Marilyn Monroe's death, and other significant events.
Russo asserts that he had a minor role in the J.F.K.
assassination and the death of Marilyn Monroe.
He also claims to have witnessed the 1979 Iranian revolution firsthand.
Furthermore, Russo admits to having killed two individuals.
While Russo insists that these accounts are 100 percent true, they have not been verified by The Record and NorthJersey.com's fact-checking team.
However, if his stories are accurate, they would rival the outrageous claims made by Chuck Barris in his 1984 autobiography, “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” where he purported to be a CIA assassin.
Russo's book, co-authored by Patrick Picciarelli, was released this week and is titled “Hollywood Godfather.”
In his memoir, he also discusses his pivotal role as Carlo Rizzi in “The Godfather,” which opened doors for him as an actor and producer in subsequent films such as “Seabiscuit,” “Any Given Sunday,” and “The Freshman.”
Interestingly, Russo claims that without his intervention, “The Godfather” may not have been made.
According to his book, the film faced opposition from mobsters who did not want the attention brought to organized crime.
Russo says he personally mediated a meeting between mobster Joe Colombo and Paramount executives, reaching an agreement that allowed the movie to proceed.
Russo's connections to the mob trace back to his teenage years when he associated with mob circles in Little Italy.
Although he clarifies that he was never a “made” man, he was well-known and accepted within these circles.
Growing up in Little Italy, Russo contracted polio at the age of seven and spent five years in Bellevue Hospital.
It was during this time that he claims to have killed his first man, a pedophile named Harold, whom he stabbed in the hospital bathroom.
One of Russo's most controversial claims is his alleged involvement in the J.F.K.
assassination.
In November 1963, he traveled to New Orleans on behalf of his mentor, mob boss Frank Costello, to deliver a message to Carlos Marcello.
Russo claims to have encountered Lee Harvey Oswald in a restaurant restroom just before delivering the message.
Days later, when he learned of Kennedy's assassination, Russo was devastated since he had developed a friendly relationship with the future president during their encounters at the Sands hotel.
Russo also asserts that he witnessed Marilyn Monroe's refusal to participate in a mob blackmail scheme targeting the Kennedy brothers.
He suggests that her decision to go public with the information marked her tragic end.
The mob allegedly sought compromising photos of Monroe, J.F.K., and Robert Kennedy to use as leverage against the Kennedys in their investigations into organized crime.
Fearing the potential scandal, Russo believes that Monroe's death was not a suicide.
In addition to these remarkable stories, Russo claims to have assisted the shah of Iran in transferring his funds out of the country before the 1979 revolution.
He also boasts about connecting Marlon Brando with a lawyer who helped Brando's son avoid a murder conviction in 1990.
Russo's most terrifying encounter occurred when he crossed paths with Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.
After killing another man at his Las Vegas nightclub, Russo learned that the victim was part of Escobar's criminal network.
Fearing retaliation, Russo traveled to Colombia to explain the situation to Escobar personally.
Surprisingly, Escobar turned out to be a fan of “The Godfather” and even made Russo reenact a scene from the movie during their meeting.
This bizarre turn of events left Russo fearing for his life until he finally escaped the country.
Despite the skepticism surrounding his claims, Russo is adamant that these stories are genuine and reflect his extraordinary life experiences.
His book has received attention and left readers eager for more captivating tales.
