Al Lettieri was an American actor who rose to fame for his portrayal of ruthless and menacing characters in several classic films. He is best remembered for his role as Virgil Sollozzo, the Sicilian heroin dealer who plots against the Corleone family in The Godfather (1972). He also appeared alongside some of the biggest stars of his time, such as Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, and Robert De Niro. However, his promising career was cut short by a sudden heart attack that claimed his life at the age of 47. Here is a look at the life and death of Al Lettieri, one of Hollywood’s most memorable villains.
Early Life and Career
Alfredo Lettieri was born on February 24, 1928, in New York City. He was of Italian descent and spoke Italian fluently. His brother-in-law was Pasquale Eboli, brother of Genovese crime family boss Thomas Eboli, according to Wikipedia. This connection may have influenced his choice of roles later in his career.
Lettieri started out as a stage actor and did not break into film until he was 36. He had a small role in the 1958 Perry Mason episode “The Case of the Fugitive Nurse” as Arthur Strome. He also appeared in some TV movies, such as The Hanged Man (1964) and Dark Intruder (1965).
Rise to Fame
Lettieri’s big break came in 1972 when he was cast as Virgil “The Turk” Sollozzo in The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Sollozzo is the main antagonist of the first half of the film, who tries to assassinate Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) and sparks a war between the Corleone and Tattaglia families. He also has a tense confrontation with Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), who eventually kills him in a restaurant.
Lettieri’s performance as Sollozzo was praised by critics and audiences alike. He brought a cold and calculating demeanor to the character, making him a formidable foe for the Corleones. He also delivered one of the most iconic lines in the film: “I don’t like violence, Tom. I’m a businessman; blood is a big expense.”
Other Notable Roles
After The Godfather, Lettieri’s career took off and he landed several other roles in prominent films. He wrote the screenplay for the 1971 gangster movie Villain, starring Richard Burton and Ian McShane, according to EMI Films and the Limits of British Cinema. He also reunited with Marlon Brando in The Night of the Following Day (1969), where he played a pilot involved in a kidnapping plot.
Lettieri continued to play villainous characters in action and crime films, such as The Getaway (1972), where he was Steve McQueen’s brutal partner-in-crime; The Don Is Dead (1973), where he was a rival mobster to Anthony Quinn; The Deadly Trackers (1973), where he was a Mexican policeman hunting down Richard Harris; McQ (1974), where he was John Wayne’s drug-dealing nemesis; Mr. Majestyk (1974), where he was Charles Bronson’s hitman adversary; and Piedone a Hong Kong (1975), where he was Bud Spencer’s mafia boss enemy.
Death and Legacy
Lettieri’s last film role was in House of Pleasure for Women (1976), where he played Eddie Mordace, a pimp who runs a brothel. He died of a heart attack on October 18, 1975, in New York City, according to Dead or Kicking. He was only 47 years old and left behind a wife and four children.
Lettieri’s death was a shock to his fans and colleagues, who mourned the loss of a talented and versatile actor. His films have remained popular over the years and have earned him a cult following among movie buffs. He is widely regarded as one of the best screen villains of all time and has influenced many actors who followed him.
Al Lettieri may have played some of the most evil characters in cinema history, but he was also a gifted writer, producer, and performer who left an indelible mark on Hollywood. His cause of death may have been tragic, but his legacy lives on through his unforgettable films.
