Cast of The Godfather

Last Modified Mar 29, 2025 02:15 EDT
Cast of The Godfather
The Godfather (Source: Prime Video)


The Godfather is a legendary 1972 gangster film directed and co-written by Francis Ford Coppola. The film is based on Mario Puzo’s best-selling 1969 novel by the same name. The film follows the lives of New York's most powerful Corleone crime family, which is involved in gambling, real estate, olive oil import, and more. The film explores the themes of corruption, greed, loyalty, power, and family.


The Godfather is considered one of the greatest films of all time. The film received many awards, including 3 Academy Awards, 5 Golden Globe Awards, a BAFTA Award, and a Grammy Award. The cast of The Godfather includes many experienced and new actors. Check out the cast of The Godfather (1972).


Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone


Cast of The Godfather
Marlon Brando (Source: Prime Video)


Marlon Brando plays Vito Corleone in the film. Vito Corleone is the head of the Corleone crime family. He was the patriarch of his family. He is portrayed as a kind and generous man who strictly believes in moral codes. He believes in family above all and being loyal to friends.


Marlon Brando was an American actor, born on April 3, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. He is considered one of the greatest actors in Hollywood, best known for his work in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), Viva Zapata! (1952), Julius Caesar (1953), On the Waterfront (1954), Sayonara (1957), The Godfather (1972), etc. He has won many awards, including 2 Academy Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards, 3 BAFTAs, and a Primetime Emmy Award. In 2004, He passed away at the age of 80.


Al Pacino as Michael Corleone


Cast of The Godfather
Al Pacino (Source: Prime Video)


Al Pacino plays the role of Michael Corleone in the film. Michael Corleone is the 3rd and the youngest son of Vito Corleone and Carmela Corleone. At first, he didn’t want to join his family business and enjoy the American life but with time, he went on to become the ruthless mafia boss and the heir of his crime family.


Alfredo James Pacino is an American actor born on April 25, 1940, in New York, United States. He is best known for his work in The Godfather film series, Serpico (1973), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), Dick Tracy (1990), Scent of a Woman (1992), The Irishman (2019), etc. He has won many awards for his work over the years including an Academy Award, 2 Primetime Emmy Awards, 4 Golden Globe Awards, 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards, a BAFTA, etc.


James Caan as Sonny Corleone


Cast of The Godfather
James Caan (Source: Instagram)


James Caan plays the role of Sonny Corleone in the film. Sonny Corleone is the oldest son of Vito Corleone and Carmela Corleone. He has two brothers and a sister. At the young age of 16, he commits a robbery and tells his father that he wants to join the family business. As the eldest brother, he was protective of his siblings and had a soft spot for Michael.


James Edmund Caan, also known as James Caan, was an American actor, born on March 26, 1940, in New York, United States. He is best known for his work in Brian's Song (1971), The Godfather film series, The Gambler (1974), Funny Lady (1975), etc. He has been nominated for many awards including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. In 2022, he passed away at the age of 82.


Richard Castellano as Peter Clemenza


Cast of The Godfather
Richard Castellano (Source: Paramount Pictures/ YouTube)


Richard Castellano plays the role of Peter Clemenza in the film. Peter Clemenza is the caporegime and the oldest friend of Vito Corleone. He was the godfather of Vito’s eldest son, Sonny. He was intelligent, an impressive judge of talent, and trusted by Vito. Vito sent his eldest son to Clemenza so that he could train him to join the family business.


Richard Salvatore Castellano was an American actor, born on September 4, 1933, in New York, United States. He is best known for his work in Lovers and Other Strangers (1970) and The Godfather (1972). In 1988, he passed away at the age of 55.


Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen


Cast of The Godfather
Robert Duvall (Source: Instagram)


Robert Duvall plays the role of Tom Hagen in the film. Tom Hagen is the unofficial adopted son of Vito Corleone. He is the lawyer and consigliere of the Corleone crime family. He became part of the Corleone family after Sonny met him at an orphanage, befriended him, and took him home. He loved all the members of the Corleone family but he was closest to Sonny.


Robert Duvall is an American actor, born on January 5, 1931, in San Diego, California, United States. He is best known for his work in the Godfather film series, The Outfit (1973), Apocalypse Now (1979), A Civil Action (1998), The Judge (2014), etc. He has won many awards including an Academy Award, a BAFTA award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, 4 Golden Globe Awards, and 2 Primetime Emmy Awards.


Sterling Hayden as Captain McCluskey


Cast of The Godfather
Sterling Hayden (Source: Prime Video)


Sterling Hayden plays the role of Captain Mark McCluskey in the film. Captain Mark McCluskey is a corrupt New York police captain. He was against the Corleone crime family and made several attempts to assassinate Vito Corleone. He was on the payroll of Sollozzo and took orders from him.


Sterling Walter Hayden was an American actor and author, born on March 26, 1916, in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, United States. He is best known for his work in The Godfather (1972), The Asphalt Jungle (1950), The Killing (1956), Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), The Long Goodbye (1973), 1900 (1976), etc. In 1986, he passed away at the age of 70.


Diane Keaton as Kay Adams-Corleone


Cast of The Godfather
Diane Keaton (Source: Instagram)


Diane Keaton plays the role of Kay Adams-Corleone in the film. Katherine "Kay" Corleone was the second wife of Michael Corleone. She is the mother of Anthony and Mary Corleone. Unlike the other characters, she was from a rich family.


Diane Keaton is an American actress, born on January 5, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, United States. She is best known for her roles in The Godfather film series, Play It Again, Sam (1972), Sleeper (1973), Love and Death (1975), Annie Hall (1977), Reds (1981), Marvin's Room (1996), Something's Gotta Give (2003), etc. She has won an Academy Award, a BAFTA award, and 2 Golden Globe Awards.


Talia Shire as Connie Corleone


Cast of The Godfather
Talia Shire (Source: Instagram)


Talia Shire plays the role of Connie Corleone in the film. Connie is the youngest child and only daughter of Vito Corleone and Carmela Corleone. She got married to Carlo Rizzi, who was an abusive husband. Her brother Michael murdered her husband, after which she distanced herself from her family. However, after her mother’s death, she got closer to her family and became especially close to Michael.


Talia Rose Shire, also known as Talia Shire, is an American actress, born on April 25, 1946, in New York, United States. She is the sister of The Godfather’s director Francis Ford Coppola. She is best known for her work in The Godfather film series and Rocky film series. She has been nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award.


Also read: Who plays johnny fontaine in the godfather?


FAQ about The Godfather

A. The Godfather is 2 hours 55 minutes long.

A. Mario Puzo wrote The Godfather.

A. The Godfather was filmed in New York and Sicily.

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