The Real Life Inspirations Behind ‘The Godfather’s Vito Corleone’ May Surprise You

To create something as indelible and culturally seismic as The godfather seems a possibility beyond human imagination. At the center of the classical Francis Ford Coppola film is Don Vito Corleone, the menacing but lovable mafia boss played by Marlon Brando in a performance that transcended the medium of cinema. Vito is one of those rare characters that, through cultural osmosis alone, everyone can recognize, even if they haven’t seen him The godfather. All of his signature features—the tuxedo, the guttural voice, the puffed-out cheeks—are iconic. As an artist, Brando was known for his unique and inspired choices, but Vito wasn’t the only product of his imagination. The powerful Don was based on a handful of real crime bosses and one unexpected citizen that contributed to the character’s key traits.