[close] John "Johnny" Fontane is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novel "The Godfather" and the series of films based upon it. In Francis Ford Coppola's film adaptation of the novel, he was portrayed by Al Martino. Johnny Fontane is a singer and actor. The character is believed to have been based on Frank Sinatra.

Who is Johnny Fontane in The Godfather based on?

The novel also includes many allusions to real-life mobsters and their associates. For example, Johnny Fontane is based on Frank Sinatra, and Moe Greene on Bugsy Siegel. In addition, the character of Vito Corleone was a composite of real-life organized crime bosses Frank Costello and Carlo Gambino.

Who was Johnny Fontaine supposed to represent in The Godfather?

the Johnny Fontaine character was modeled after. Frank Sinatra, and that the mob helped him get a big. movie role.

Is Johnny supposed to be Frank Sinatra?

The Johnny Fontane character is supposed to be based loosely on Frank Sinatra. Sinatra wasn't happy about that because it made it look like he had mob ties.

Who did they originally want for The Godfather?

Who was originally offered the role of The Godfather and who ended up playing the role? Francis Ford Coppola was constantly at odds with the studio. They wanted a top actor for the role of Michael, like Robert Redford or Burt Reynolds-he pushed for and got a relatively unknown guy named Al Pacino.

The Godfather - Johnny Fontane Scene HD

Who turned down the role of Michael Corleone?

Al Pacino's portrayal of Michael Corleone in The Godfather is iconic and synonymous with the character's image in the minds of audiences. Jack Nicholson turned down the role of Michael Corleone because he believed that actors should stick to playing characters of their own ethnicity.

Who tried out for the role of Michael Corleone?

Potential candidates for Michael included the era's most bankable stars, including Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford, Warren Beatty, Ryan O'Neal and Jack Nicholson. "Martin Sheen was considered," Seal says. "Frank Langella. Nobody wanted Al Pacino, except for Coppola.

What did Frank Sinatra think of Johnny Fontane?

Frank Sinatra had a grudge against The Godfather due to the character Johnny Fontane, whom he felt was a commentary on his own career.

Did JFK like Frank Sinatra?

President John F. Kennedy and Frank Sinatra's famous friendship was well documented, especially as the politician began his presidential campaign. In 1960, he took campaign breaks to attend Sinatra's Las Vegas show and visit him at his California home.

Was Johnny Fontaine really based on Frank Sinatra?

In real life, Sinatra reportedly believed that the book's drunken, philandering lounge singer Johnny Fontaine was based on him. Puzo long denied that Fontaine was anything but a fictional character, but the portrayal rubbed Ol' Blue Eyes the wrong way.

Who is Moe Greene based on?

Both Greene's character and personality are based on Bugsy Siegel: his affiliation with the mob in Los Angeles, his involvement in the development of Las Vegas, and his flamboyant tendencies.

Who was supposed to play Mary Corleone?

Try watching this video on www.youtube.com, or enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser. However, Coppola playing Mary was not the original plan, as Winona Ryder was first cast, and even flew to Rome to shoot just one day after wrapping production on another film.

Who was meant to play Mary Corleone?

Sofia Coppola, the daughter of director Francis Ford Coppola, was cast in the role of Mary Corleone after several choices dropped out: Winona Ryder discontinued her involvement with the film due to nervous exhaustion, Julia Roberts due to scheduling conflicts, and Madonna was deemed too old for the part by some.

Who killed Sonny Corleone?

Enraged, Sonny speeds towards Connie's apartment in Hell's Kitchen ahead of his bodyguards. At the Long Beach Causeway toll plaza, Barzini's men trap Sonny and shoot him to death. During a meeting with the other crime family dons to establish peace, Vito realizes that Barzini masterminded Sonny's murder.

Who was Jack Woltz based on?

The character of Hollywood mogul Jack Woltz's was patterned after Warner Brothers chief Jack L. Warner. His personality was based on MGM head Louis B. Mayer, who was a great racing aficionado, and owned a racing stable.

Who does Michael Corleone represent in real life?

Michael Corleone was loosely based on Salvatore “Bill” Bonanno, Joseph Bonanno's son, who was groomed to go into the straight life after law school but got prematurely pulled into the family business after his old man was kidnapped.

Why did Frank Sinatra not like Peter Lawford?

Sinatra was furious, believing that Lawford had failed to intercede with the Kennedys on his behalf, and banished him from the Rat Pack. Sinatra and Lawford's friendship was over. They only spoke when Sinatra called after his son Frank Sinatra Jr.

Did Sinatra go to Lawford's funeral?

Sinatra never forgave Lawford or the Kennedys, and did not attend Lawford's funeral in 1984. Mr. Ebbins continued to counsel entertainers and at the time of his death was developing a multipart series on the Kennedy assassination with actor Bill Paxton for HBO.

Did Frank Sinatra really try to stop The Godfather from being made?

Regardless of Frank Sinatra's protests and attempts to block its production, as dramatized in The Offer, there was nothing he could really do to prevent The Godfather movies from being made.

How did they make Marlon Brando look old?

Brando, who was only 47 at the time, underwent a transformation with the help of prosthetics, makeup, and a wig to make him appear older and burdened as the head of a crime family.

Where was Godfather filmed?

The Godfather Locations

Francis Ford Coppola, the director, wanted the bulk of the filming to be in New York City. His request was honored; only ten percent was filmed outside the Big Apple. For scenes that needed to be shot in the film studio, East Harlem's Filmways studio was the locale.

Why did Jack Nicholson refuse The Godfather?

The primary reason why Jack Nicholson turned down the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather was that the presently retired Nicholson, who identified himself as being Irish throughout his career, felt that the role of the Italian-American Michael should be played by an Italian actor.

Who didn't want Al Pacino in The Godfather?

Diane Keaton said she was cast before Al Pacino in the 1972 classic gangster flick "The Godfather." The actress said Pacino was not the first choice to star as Michael Corleone in the Francis Ford Coppola film. "Nobody wanted Al Pacino.

Why did Hyman Roth want Michael Corleone killed?

Roth secretly plans to assassinate Michael, partly to avenge Moe Greene's murder (as depicted in The Godfather). Roth instructs Ola to befriend Michael's brother Fredo, who provides Ola (and Roth) information about Michael that enables them to make an attempt on his life.