The Middle Ground

Inside the Godfather: Gianni Russo’s Untold Stories

Tom Letizia

On today’s episode of Middle Ground Radio, Tom and Russell Letizia sit down with Gianni Russo, the man the world knows as Carlo Rizzi from The Godfather. Russo opens up about life before Hollywood, surviving polio, his unexpected path to landing a role in one of the greatest films of all time, and the behind-the-scenes tensions that made his scenes unforgettable. Beyond The Godfather, he shares personal stories of Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Las Vegas nightlife, and his remarkable journey from street kid to actor, singer, author, and entrepreneur. This is Gianni Russo like you’ve never heard him before — raw, unfiltered, and unforgettable.