From Al Pacino to Marlon Brando, the cast ofThe Godfatheris full of bona fide screen legends who went on to appear in some of the greatest movies ever made.The Godfatherwas a massive box office success, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time, and it had universal acclaim from critics to match. It didn’t just make its director Francis Ford Coppola a household name; it made household names of everyone in its sprawling ensemble.
Some of theactors inThe Godfatherwere already big names. Robert Duvall had already appeared inTo Kill a Mockingbirdand James Caan had already starred inBrian’s Song. But most of the film’s cast members, like Talia Shire and Diane Keaton, got their big break fromThe Godfatheritself. Today,The Godfatheris remembered for having one of the most star-studded casts in film history — but at the time, a lot of them were unknowns.
Date Of Birth: June 16, 2025
Years Active:1944–2004
Actor:Marlon Brando was born in Omaha, Nebraska, andfirst broke big when he brought his performance as Stanley Kowalski from the Broadway stage to the silver screenin 1951’sA Streetcar Named Desire. He went on to play Johnny Strabler inThe Wild Oneand Terry Malloy inOn the Waterfront, for which he earned an Oscar. AfterThe Godfather, he played Jor-El inSuperman: The MovieandColonel Kurtz inApocalypse Now.
1951
1953
1954
1978
Colonel Kurtz
1979
Character:InThe Godfather,Brando plays Vito Corleone, the patriarch of the Corleone crime family. As he approaches his twilight years and weathers assassination attempts, Vito is forced to choose a successor. Brando won his second Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance inThe Godfather, althoughBrando declined the award.
Date Of Birth: June 18, 2025
Active Since:1967
Actor:Al Pacino was born in New York City andfirst broke out with his role as heroin addict Bobby inThe Panic in Needle Park. Pacino went on to earn the Triple Crown of Acting. He played such iconic roles as Sonny Wortzik inDog Day Afternoon, Detective Frank Serpico inSerpico, Tony Montana inScarface, Richard Roma inGlengarry Glen Ross, and union leader Jimmy Hoffa inThe Irishman. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for playing Lt. Col. Frank Slade inScent of a Woman.
1975
1983
1992
Scent of a Woman
Jimmy Hoffa
2019
Character:Pacino plays Vito’s youngest son, Michael, inThe Godfather. The film charts Michael’s moral downfall. At the beginning of the movie, he’s a wayward war veteran destined to become the first Corleone to lead a legitimate life outside organized crime. However, bythe end ofThe Godfather, he has succeeded his father and taken over the family business.
Date Of Birth: June 17, 2025
Years Active:1961–2022
Actor:James Caan was born in New York City andfirst broke out with his Emmy-nominated turn as football player Brian Piccolo in the 1971 made-for-TV movieBrian’s Song. Caan received a Golden Globe nomination for playing Axel Freed inThe Gambler. He went on to play Frank inThief, Jonathan E. inRollerball, Paul Sheldon inMisery, and Walter Hobbs inElf.
1971
1981
1990
Walter Hobbs
2003
Character:Caan plays Vito’s eldest son, Sonny Corleone, inThe Godfather. While Sonny is certainly tough and capable, he’s too hot-headed to run the business as effectively as Michael. His penchant for violence ultimately gets him killed long before the end credits.
Date Of Birth: August 21, 2025
Active Since:1952
Actor:Robert Duvall was born in San Diego, California, andgot his big break with the role of Boo Radley in the 1962 film adaptation ofTo Kill a Mockingbird. Duvall won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his turn as alcoholic former country music star Mac Sledge inTender Mercies. He also played Frank Hackett inNetwork, Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore inApocalypse Now, and Sergeant Martin Prendergast inFalling Down.
1962
1976
Sergeant Martin Prendergast
1993
Character:InThe Godfather,Duvall plays the Corleone family’s consigliere and lawyer, Tom Hagen. Although Tom isn’t Vito’s biological offspring, he’s as much of a son to Vito as Michael or Sonny.Tom is an unofficial adopted member of the family, and unwaveringly loyal to the Don.
Date Of Birth: June 02, 2025
Active Since:1966
Actor:Diane Keaton was born in Santa Ana, California, andfirst broke big with her role inThe Godfather. Keaton won the Academy Award for Best Actress for playing the eccentric title character in Woody Allen’s romantic comedyAnnie Hall. She also appeared in Allen’s filmsSleeper,Love and Death, andManhattan. Keaton later played Erica Barry inSomething’s Gotta Give, Nina Banks inFather of the Brideand its sequel, and Jenny inFinding Dory.
1977
Father of the Bride
1991
Jenny
2016
Character:Keaton plays Michael’s love interest Kay Adams inThe Godfather. At the beginning of the movie,Kay is Michael’s girlfriend, horrified by the violence within his family, but by the end of it, she’s his second wife, fully embraced by the family. Much to Michael’s chagrin, Kay isn’t as subservient as the other mob wives.
Date Of Birth: July 16, 2025
Years Active:1959–1978
Actor:John Cazale was born in Revere, Massachusetts, and broke out with his film debut inThe Godfather.Cazale sadly passed away from lung cancer at just 42 years old, just as his movie career was starting to take off.Cazale left behind a flawless filmographywith an impressive run of five of the greatest films ever made:The Godfather,The Conversation,The Godfather Part II,Dog Day Afternoon, andThe Deer Hunter.
1972
1974
Stan Stosh
Character:InThe Godfather,Cazale plays Vito’s middle son, Fredo. Fredo is essentially the laughingstock of the Corleone family. He’s too cowardly and incompetent to handle any of the most important jobs, so the family just gives him busywork to keep him occupied.
The Godfather Supporting Cast & Characters
Talia Shire as Connie Corleone:Vito’s only daughter, Connie Corleone, is played by Talia Shire. Shire is best known for her portrayal of Rocky Balboa’s love interest Adrian Pennino in theRockyfranchise. She also played Dianne Cruise inOld Boyfriends, Mrs. Silver inI Heart Huckabees, and Constance Crassus Catilina inMegalopolis.
Sterling Hayden as Captain McCluskey:The corrupt police captain that Michael kills, Captain McCluskey, is played by Sterling Hayden. Hayden played a wide range of roles throughout his career, from General Jack D. Ripper inDr. Strangeloveto alcoholic author Roger Wade inThe Long Goodbyeto aging peasant Leo Dalcò in1900to chairman of the board Russell Tinsworthy in9 to 5.
John Marley as Jack Woltz:Jack Woltz, the Hollywood movie producer who has his prized horse decapitated by the Corleones, is played by John Marley. Marley won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for playing Richard Forst in John Cassavetes’Facesand landed an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for playing Phil Cavalleri inLove Story.
Al Lettieri as Virgil Sollozzo:Al Lettieri plays Virgil Sollozzo, the heroin kingpin who pressures Vito to get into the drug business. Lettieri also played Rudy Butler inThe Getawayand Frank Renda inMr. Majestyk.
Richard Castellano as Peter Clemenza:Peter Clemenza, a trusted Corleone capo and Sonny’s godfather, is played by Richard Castellano. Castellano had previously played Frank Vecchio in the romantic comedyLovers and Other Strangersand later played Lieutenant Tonelli in the neo-noir actionerNight of the Juggler.
Abe Vigoda as Salvatore Tessio:Corleone capo Salvatore Tessio, one of Vito’s oldest friends, is played by Abe Vigoda. Vigoda is best known for playing Phil Fish in the sitcomBarney Millerand its spin-offFish.
Al Martino as Johnny Fontane:Vito’s godson, singer Johnny Fontane, was played by real-life crooner Al Martino. Johnny was Martino’s only ever acting role; he later reprised it inThe Godfather Part III.
Morgana King as Carmela Corleone:After playing Vito’s wife Carmela Corleone inThe GodfatherandThe Godfather Part II, Morgana King only ever played three more film roles, concluding with her final performance as Aunt Rose in 1997’sA Brooklyn State of Mind.
