With a singularly nebulous background, which, by his account, included stints as a Las Vegas nightclub emcee, radio personality, and jewelry tycoon, and comparatively little acting experience, Gianni Russo got the role of Carlo Rizzi in "The Godfather" on the basis of his screen test. Since then, Russo has remained busy as an actor, mostly playing assorted "wiseguys" and Mafia types. He was seen again with Marlon Brando in a small role in "The Freshman," in which Brando parodied his Don Corleone role to good effect.


He suffered from polio as a child. Recently was filmed on the reality TV show "Growing Up Gotti" (2004), where he was revealed to be the secret admirer of Victoria Gotti. After sending her roses, Ms. Gotti's assistant secretly meets with Gianni and screens him for a surprise. There he reveals his The Godfather (1972) role. Later, Victoria is mortified when she is taken to a restaurant where Gianni is performing songs from a new CD, and leaves the restaurant.