History Characters / TheGodfatherCorleoneFamilyAssociates

One of Vito's caporegimes, who helped initiate Vito's criminal career and became one of his most trusted advisers; Serves as a mentor to Michael and other members of the Family.

* WouldHurtAChild: As mentioned before, he sells drugs to children.

* HatedByAll: Even civilians wanted this guy dead for selling drugs to their children.

* BullyingADragon: You think after biting his ear off he'd back off of Vincent, but he orders a hit instead. Vincent's growing hatred of him leads to him being the one to personally execute the cowardly Don.
* DirtyCoward: Runs for the hills when he realizes a hit has been placed on him. Vincent gets him, anyway.

* ZeroPercentApprovalRating: ''Everyone'' hated him and was happy to see him go. The only person with any problem with his death was Michael, and that's only because he was upset Vincent and Connie ordered the hit without his permission.

* BigBadWannabe: As a whole, he's not really as powerful as his boss, Altobello, and Michael and the Commission don't take him seriously.

* WouldHurtAChild: In the novel it's revealed that he beat his SpoiledBrat nephew for having talked in a very rude way to his mother, Al's sister. While it looks like his nephew started behaving better after, his wife was understandably horrified and grew distant of him, until eventually divorcing of him.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: A small moment, but you can see that he looks down after Michael orders him to kill Fredo with just a look.

* TheConsigliere: The Corleone family's first one.
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Vito in ''Part II''. The two became fast friends when Vito came to work for Genco's father and when Don Fannuci forced Vito out so Fannuci's nephew could be hired, Genco offered to steal for Vito to help him.
* InformedAbility: He doesn't really ''act'' like much of a chief advisor and seems to let Vito do most of the thinking; in the deleted scene from the first movie, he clearly idolises the Don and almost seems to think he has supernatural powers.
* ToughActToFollow: In-universe, his abilities as a 'wartime consigliere' makes Tom's job more difficult because Tom has to deal with a MobWar right after Genco dies.

[[folder: Genco Abbandando]]

[[folder: Al Neri]]

[[folder: Joey Zasa]]

[[folder: Peter Clemenza]]

[[folder: Salvatore Tessio]]

* AintTooProudToBeg: Downplayed; [[spoiler: he remains dignified throughout, but he does briefly plead Tom for his life: "Can you get me off the hook, Tom? For old time's sake?" Once it becomes clear that this isn't an option, however, he accepts the inevitable with grace.]]

** Subverted in [[VideoGame/TheGodfather the game]], where you have to [[spoiler: chase him down and kill him and he begs for his life]].

[[folder: Frank "Frankie Five Angels" Pentangeli]]

* DrivenToSuicide: [[spoiler: Slits his own wrists after Tom Hagen pays him a visit, with the consigliere strongly insinuating that by doing so his family will be spared and looked after.]].

** The implied promise that his family will be taken care of after [[spoiler: he dies compels him to take his own life]] in atonement for betraying Michael.

* HeelFaceTurn: Subverted, [[spoiler: Pentangeli]] is put under WitnessProtection and is going to testify against the Corleone family. Michael and Tom Hagen find a way to prevent him breaking the ''omertà''; his brother shows up the day he has to testify. It's not stated if they stop [[spoiler: Pentangeli]] by shaming him in front of his old-school brother, or if there's some kind of ImpliedDeathThreat going on. [[note]] Earlier drafts of the script had Michael explaining that said brother was the custodian of Pentangeli's [[IHaveYourWife illegitimate children]] back in Sicily; his showing up delivers an [[ShameIfSomethingHappened unambiguous message]].[[/note]]

* TheStoolPigeon: With Willie Cicci after he mistakenly assumes Michael put a hit out on him. [[spoiler: He recants at the last minute when his brother pays him a surprise visit, courtesy of the Corleones]].

[[folder: Rocco Lampone]]

* DyingMomentOfAwesome: Kills [[spoiler: Roth]] before being gunned down.

* RiteOfPassage: Killing [[spoiler: Paulie]] is how Rocco 'makes his bones.'

[[folder: Luca Brasi]]

** In the novel even Vito is afraid of him, to the point of being apprehensive when he has to receive Brasi's congratulations on his daughter's wedding day despite Brasi being the only one of these visitors not to impose a favor along with the congratulations. [[spoiler: When Sollozzo's men make it clear to the Corleones that they have killed Brasi, the Corleones are relieved to know that Sollozo had not turned him and that he isn't coming after them.]]

* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Went on one after an attempt on Vito's life in the Olive Oil War. It took Vito recovering and personally calling him off to avoid Luca dropping enough bodies to make peace impossible. [[spoiler: The Turk has him killed before they attempt to kill Vito to avoid this happening to him.]]

[[folder: Willie Cicci]]

* AscendedExtra: While named in the books in the first film his name goes unsaid despite his killing of [[spoiler: Cuneo and Tessio]] however in the second film he gets far more lines and screen time.

[[folder: Aldo Trapani]]

[[folder: Don Tommasino]]

[[folder: Calò]]

[[folder: Amerigo Bonasera]]

[[folder: Nazorine]]

[[folder: Enzo Aguello]]

[[folder: Senator Patrick Geary]]

[[folder: B.J. Harrison]]

[[folder: Dominic Abbandando]]

* TheSmartGuy: Considered the smarter of the two Caporegimes, and usually makes the tactical decisions of the Family soldiers.

* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: In the book, Peter decides not to promote a subordinate who works in Harlem because he feels that the man's ability to get along with African-Americans is a character weakness.

* KickTheSonOfABitch: [[spoiler:Personally kills Carlo Rizzi by strangling him in a car. It was probably personal since Sonny, who Carlo lured to his death, was Clemenza's godson.]]

* ItsPersonal: Clemenza takes [[spoiler:Paulie's BodyguardBetrayal]] as a personal insult, given that the man was his protégé.

* UngratefulBastard: Downplayed, he's very grateful after the Corleones grant his request of beating back the boys who assaults his daughter, but later becomes afraid and and worried about repaying his debt to Don Corleone. Though given that you never know what a mobster may ask you to do to repay a debt, his reaction is perfectly understandable, and he's reassured that Vito makes him embalm Sonny Corleone instead.

->'''Portrayed By''': Creator/JoeMantegna

An italian-american undertaker, who's a member of the Corleones' neighborhood but avoided Vito's friendship, until his daughter was savagely attacked and beaten by two boys who got away due to their high social status, prompting him to go to Don Corleone for justice.

* Foil: To Bonasera. He's a humble, affectionate requester, immediately contrasting with the disdainful and unrespectful undertaker.

* PunchClockVillain: Unlike [[AxCrazy Luca Brasi]], Al Neri seems to view his job as a {{ProfessionalKiller}} as any other job, and isn't overly sadistic or vicious.

* GeniusBruiser: [[Downplayed Genius might be an overstatement]], but Al is very intelligent and Michael seeks and trusts his input.

* GeniusBruiser: Genius might be an overstatement, but Al is very intelligent and Michael seeks and trusts his input.

[[folder: Senator Patrick Geary]]
[[quoteright:243:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/geary.png]]
->''"I despise your masquerade, the dishonest way you pose yourself. You and [[PrecisionFStrike your whole fucking family]]."''
-> '''Portrayed by''': G.D. Spradlin

A crooked Nevada politician in ''Part II'', whom Michael blackmails into supporting him.

* BullyingADragon: He tries to extort and bully Michael for a gambling license, [[UnderestimatingBadassery thinking]] that he's safe from Michael's criminal enterprise as a political leader. A nonchalant Michael bides his time and turns the tables with a cold {{frameup}}.
* CorruptBureaucrat: He tries to extort and bully Michael... and not out of greed but because he's a racist spiteful bastard.
* DisposableSexWorker: How Tom blackmails him.
* {{Hypocrite}}: Calls Michael and the Corleone family two-faced scum for pretending to be decent people while actually mobsters, while he himself happily extorts them for racist reasons while pretending to be a friend of the family and an upstanding citizen.
* MaliciousMisnaming: He publicly mispronounces "Corleone," only to pronounce it accurately in private conversation.
* TheMole: He's part of the Senate committee investigating Michael while being blackmailed by the Corleones.
* NoHistoricalFiguresWereHarmed: Based on real-life Nevada Senator Patrick [=McCarran=], to the point where he was even named [=McGarry=] in an early script draft until Coppola decided it was too on the nose. Like Geary, [=McCarran=] was long rumored to have ties to the Las Vegas mob, and also called for harsh restrictions on immigration to the United States, invoked here by Geary's insults towards Michael's heritage. Today he's probably best-remembered for his role in the RedScare of the early '50s, and because of the Las Vegas airport which used to bear his name until it was renamed for another Nevada senator, Harry Reid, who helped purge the mob from Las Vegas.
* NoPartyGiven: Several passages in the script strongly imply he's a Democrat,[[note]]Specifically, there's a throwaway line that names him as being in the same party as another Senator who represents Tammany Hall (New York), which would make both men Democrats. In the earlier drafts of the script, when Michael's story extended in the '60s, it's even more explicit as Geary becomes an advisor to President Kennedy. His real-life inspiration, as noted above, was also a Democrat (albeit a very Conservative one)[[/note]] but these aren't present in the movie.
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Drops some savage anti-Italian slurs in conversation with Michael.
* ReallyGetsAround: Hookers, night club singers, he's a womanizer and proud of it.
* SleazyPolitician: Corrupt, in bed with the Mafia and cavorts with hookers. He's this trope to a T.
* SomeOfMyBestFriendsAreX: His over-the-top defense of Italian-Americans at the Senate hearings.
* WhatDidIDoLastNight: "I remember she was laughing."

[[folder: B.J. Harrison]]

-> '''Portrayed by''': George Hamilton

Michael's lawyer following Tom Hagen's death.

* TheConsigliere: He fills this role in all but name, due to lacking the Sicilian background and the family connection of Tom Hagen. Despite this he is privy to a lot of the Corleones' remaining illicit business.
* RealLifeWritesThePlot: The character was created after Robert Duvall refused to participate in ''The Godfather III'' unless he was paid a salary comparable to Pacino's
* ReplacementGoldfish: Harrison takes on Hagen's role as the lawyer and financial advisor for the Corleone family.

[[folder: Dominic Abbandando]]

-> '''Portrayed by''': Don Novello

The Corleone family press secretary and grandson of Genco Abbandando, Vito Corleone's first Consigliere.

* BullyingADragon: You think after biting his ear off he'd back off of Vincent, but he orders a hit instead. Vincent’s growing hatred of him leads to him being the one to personally execute the cowardly Don.

* PreviousPlayerCharacterCameo: Briefly appears in ''Part II''.

!!Caporegimes

!!!Under Vito Corleone

[[folder: Peter Clemenza]]
[[quoteright:243:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/clemenza.png]]
[[caption-width-right:243:''"You know, you gotta stop them at the beginning. Like they should have stopped Hitler at Munich, they should never let him get away with that, they was just asking for trouble."'']]
->"''[[MemeticMutation Leave the gun]]. [[ThrowItIn Take the cannoli]]''."
->'''Portrayed By''': Richard Castellano (''The Godfather''), Creator/BrunoKirby (''Part II'')

One of Vito's caporegimes, who helped initiate Vito's criminal career and became one of his most trusted advisers; Serves as a mentor to Michael and other members of the Family.

* {{Acrofatic}}: Both the book and the film show him as a surprisingly agile dancer at the Corleone wedding.
* AffablyEvil: To his friends and associates, Clemenza's regarded as a friendly, jovial kind of guy, always happy to talk and always happy to share his tales of the good old days. In fact, he's in the middle of sharing tales from the old times when he dies.
* BigFun: Seems to provide a comedic scene or two, the quote above being the top example on how funny he can get.
* TheBigGuy: As a Capo of the family, he takes a direct role in controlling the movements of the family soldiers; for good measure, he's occasionally called upon to act as a hitman.
%%* BoisterousBruiser
* BondOneLiner: "Leave the gun. [[ThrowItIn Take the cannoli.]]"
* BusCrash: He dies of a heart attack -- although Cicci implies [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident foul play]] -- between the events of the first and second films and his position as capo of the Corleone family's New York branch passes to [[RememberTheNewGuy Frank Pentangeli]], his SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute. This was not originally going to happen; the reason for this change was a disagreement between actor Richard Castellano and Coppola (Castellano wanted creative control over his character[[note]]and more money[[/note]] and Coppola would not allow it, so Castellano was dropped from the film).
* CoolUncle: To Vito's children, even if not by blood.
* DangerTakesABackseat: [[spoiler:While killing Carlo Rizzi.]]
* DroppedABridgeOnHim: [[spoiler:Dialogue in the second film implies that he died of a heart attack between movies, though some of his crew think he was actually poisoned.]]
* FatBastard: Has a reputation for violent, ruthless tactics in gang wars.
* FormerlyFit: In ''Part II'', when played by Bruno Kirby in his youth, Clemenza was a lot skinnier than when played by Richard Castellano. Though the younger Clemenza is a bit thicker than the younger Vito and Tessio and can be seen eating a lot. His final scene in the flashback shows him gaining much more weight.
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Vito and Tessio.
* HiddenDepths: An excellent cook, even showing Michael how to make spaghetti sauce, and a history buff who compares Sollozzo's actions to Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch.
** The movie additionally emphasizes how Tessio is the "smarter" of the two Corleone Capos, but Clemenza demonstrates a fairly calculating demeanor when walking Michael through the best way to [[spoiler:assassinate Sollozzo and [=McCluskey=].]]
* HonoraryUncle: To Vito's children. Specifically he's Sonny's godfather.
* IronicName: The professional killer's last name means "mercy" in Italian.
* ItsPersonal: Clemenza takes [[spoiler:Paulie's BodyguardBetrayal]] as a personal insult, given that the man was his protégé.
* KickTheSonOfABitch: [[spoiler:Personally kills Carlo Rizzi by strangling him in a car. It was probably personal since Sonny, who Carlo lured to his death, was Clemenza's godson.]]
* TheMentor: According to the book, he taught Sonny how to fight and kill, though he was a bit disappointed that Sonny never showed any particular liking for the garotte. In both the film and the book, he also advises Michael on carrying out the killing of Sollozzo and [=McCluskey=].
* NoHistoricalFiguresWereHarmed: Loosely based on Frank Labruzzo, Joe Bonanno's brother-in-law who stayed loyal to him even during the tumultuous Bananas Wars in the 1960s. Also had some elements of Joe Magliocco, Giuseppe Profaci's underboss and cousin, and as well as Vincent Gigante, Vito Genovese's protege and future boss. The assassination of Victor Stracci by Clemenza was partially based on the botched hit on Frank Costello in 1957; Gigante's unintentional warning only grazed Costello's scalp, but Costello saw the writing on the wall and later stepped down as boss.
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: In the book, Peter decides not to promote a subordinate who works in Harlem because he feels that the man's ability to get along with African-Americans is a character weakness.
* RealMenDontCry: Averted in ''The Godfather Returns'', he will not watch Tessio's execution because "there are some things a guy doesn't want to see."
* RedHerring: [[spoiler:Tom thought that Clemenza would have been the one to betray the Corleones and was genuinely surprised when Michael told him that Tessio had made the deal with Barzini]].
* RedOniBlueOni: Red Oni to Tessio's blue.
* ShotgunsAreJustBetter: Packs a double-barreled shotgun to assassinate Don Stracci and his bodyguard in the Baptism murders.
* UndyingLoyalty: There's a lot of love between him and Vito and Vito's family. In the end [[spoiler:he's the one who remains loyal to them whilst Tessio and Frankie betray them]].

[[folder: Salvatore Tessio]]
[[quoteright:243:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tessio.png]]
[[caption-width-right:243:''"We hit Bruno Tattaglia at four o'clock this morning."'']]
->"''Tell Mike it was only business. I always liked him''."
->'''Portrayed By''': Creator/AbeVigoda (''The Godfather''), John Aprea (''Part II'')

Another associate of Vito's from the old days; a Corleone family capo based in Brooklyn, he is considered more cautious and intelligent than Clemenza.

* AdaptationalVillainy: The book makes it much clearer that his betrayal of the Corleone's comes down to Michael and Vito seemingly hanging him, Clemenza and all their men out to dry with their move to Las Vegas and refusal to let them recruit more men or retaliate in the face of encroachment of the Barzini and Tattalgia families onto their territories [[note]]which was actually designed to lull the Barzini and Tattalgia families into a false sense of security for a killer blow later, but Michael and Vito chose to keep this to themselves[[/note]]. In fact Michael and Vito even ''expected'' someone to betray them and Michael was not surprised that it was Tessio, simply because it was the most logical move considering the situation Michael himself had put him in. From a certain point of view, it was Michael and Vito who betrayed ''Tessio''.
* AintTooProudToBeg: Downplayed; [[spoiler: he remains dignified throughout, but he does briefly plead Tom for his life: "Can you get me off the hook, Tom? For old time's sake?" Once it becomes clear that this isn't an option, however, he accepts the inevitable with grace.]]
* AlasPoorVillain: [[spoiler:Despite betraying the family, his execution is treated in a very somber manner, given his close relationship with the family.]]
* BadGuyBar: In the books, his base of operations is a bar known as Two Toms.
* BeenThereShapedHistory: The novel narrates that he killed Salvatore Maranzano in a Brooklyn restaurant.
* TheCameo: Tessio is featured in both stories of ''Part II'', with Abe Vigoda briefly appearing in the 1941 flashback.
* DefectorFromDecadence: It's implied that Michael's apparent weakness and lack of resolution (a ruse meant to lull the other families into a false sense of security as well as to force the hand of any potential traitors) is the reason behind his betrayal. Factored in and hinted by the two main capos announcing their intention to spin-off from the Family because of Michael's incapacity to defend their own territories.
* FaceDeathWithDignity:
** [[spoiler:Once it's clear that he can't talk his way out of his execution, he calmly and willingly steps into the car without another word of protest.]]
** Subverted in [[VideoGame/TheGodfather the game]], where you have to [[spoiler: chase him down and kill him and he begs for his life]].
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Vito and Clemenza.
* InformedAttribute: He's referred to as very clever and cunning, but this is isn't really shown much in the films (though it is better demonstrated in the novel). The closest he gets to this is when he secretly allies with Barzini, which is ultimately rendered ineffective due to Michael outsmarting him.
* LeanAndMean: He's very lanky compared to Clemenza, but is equally (if not more so) ruthless than he.
* TheMole: [[spoiler:Secretly works for Barzini.]]
* NoHistoricalFiguresWereHarmed: Loosely based on Gaspar [=DiGregorio=], a capo in the Bonanno family, a trusted friend, and distant relative of Joe Bonanno. But when Bonanno promoted his son Bill to consigliere, this incited hard feelings with [=DiGregorio=], who then plots with rival bosses (who were already incensed with Bonanno's plot to kill them) to orchestrate Bonanno's ouster, splitting the family into two rival factions. Like Tessio, who set up Michael for an assassination in a supposed "sit-down", [=DiGregorio=] arranged an ambush on Bonanno's son, but not a single shot aimed by [=DiGregorio=]'s men hit their intended target. But unlike Tessio, who gets a "[[DeadlyEuphemism one-way ride]]", [=DiGregorio=] was rebuked by the Commission for his incompetence on the ambush against Bill Bonanno and was forced to step down, living in relative obscurity until his death in 1970.
* NothingPersonal: [[spoiler:After being discovered as Don Barzini's mole in the Corleone family, he explains that nothing about his betrayal was personal.]]
* RedOniBlueOni: The Blue to Clemenza's red.
* TheQuietOne: He doesn't say much compared to Clemenza.
* TheSmartGuy: Considered the smarter of the two Caporegimes, and usually makes the tactical decisions of the Family soldiers.

!!!Under Michael Corleone

[[folder: Frank "Frankie Five Angels" Pentangeli]]
[[quoteright:243:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fiveangels.png]]
[[caption-width-right:243:"''Your father did business with Hyman Roth, your father respected Hyman Roth, but your father never trusted Hyman Roth!''"]]
->''"Those were the great old days, you know. And we was like the Roman Empire. The Corleone family was like the Roman Empire."''
->'''Portrayed by''': Michael V. Gazzo

Clemenza's successor running the Corleone family's New York operations, he's quick-tempered and spoiling for a fight with Hyman Roth and his allies, the Rosato Brothers. He's eventually trapped into informing on Michael, and his incriminating testimony to the Senate becomes a major plot point.

* BathSuicide: In ''Part II'', Tom Hagen visits him in prison and talks about this practice in the Roman Empire, hinting that if he does this his family will be spared. [[spoiler:He does, and they are. The camera shot depicting the outcome is a ShoutOut to the painting ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_Marat The Death of Marat]]'']].
* BewareTheSillyOnes: He's initially introduced as a goofy comic relief character who tries in exasperation to get the Communion band to play a Tarantella. It's worth remembering that he's a high ranking lieutenant in the Corleone family, and, in ''Part II' proper, he becomes extremely dangerous by initially being willing to testify as to Michael's criminal activities; unlike Willi Cicci he would have been able to implicate Michael directly.
* BullyingADragon: Pentangeli is perfectly willing to openly call out Michael for his dealings with Roth, and is not shaken when Michael tries to cite his superiority.
* CassandraTruth: He warns Michael early on that Roth is behind his trouble with the Rosato brothers. Michael ignores him, to his peril.
* DrivenToSuicide: [[spoiler: Slits his own wrists after Tom Hagen pays him a visit, with the consigliere strongly insinuating that by doing so his family will be spared and looked after.]].
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: The appearance of his older brother at Michael's trial (flown in from Sicily by the Corleones) compels him to change and outright refute his own previously given testimony.
** The implied promise that his family will be taken care of after [[spoiler: he dies compels him to take his own life]] in atonement for betraying Michael.
* TheGadfly: He adopts this attitude during his testimony, outwardly appearing to simply be jerking them around. In reality, he's backtracking due to the veiled threat Michael makes by bringing Frank's brother to the trial.
* GratuitousItalian: Peppers his speech with various Italian phrases.
* HeelFaceTurn: Subverted, [[spoiler: Pentangeli]] is put under WitnessProtection and is going to testify against the Corleone family. Michael and Tom Hagen find a way to prevent him breaking the ''omertà''; his brother shows up the day he has to testify. It's not stated if they stop [[spoiler: Pentangeli]] by shaming him in front of his old-school brother, or if there's some kind of ImpliedDeathThreat going on. [[note]] Earlier drafts of the script had Michael explaining that said brother was the custodian of Pentangeli's [[IHaveYourWife illegitimate children]] back in Sicily; his showing up delivers an [[ShameIfSomethingHappened unambiguous message]].[[/note]]
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:The Family wants him dead, but Tom Hagen tells him that if he kills himself, the Corleones will provide for his surviving family from that point on.]]
* HiddenDepths: Demonstrates a knowledge of history, when he references the practice of attainted Romans committing suicide so that their families would be spared the Emperor's wrath. This is exactly what he [[BathSuicide does]] to atone for his betrayal.
* HotBlooded: He'd much rather kill the Rosatos than talk with them.
* NoHistoricalFiguresWereHarmed: Reportedly a composite of crime boss Joe Profaci (founder of the Colombo crime family and a notoriously greedy boss), Carmine Persico and informant Joe Valachi. The Rosato brothers' hit on Pentangeli resembles a similarly botched attack on Larry Gallo, down to the policeman interrupting.
* OhCrap: The look on his face when he shares a look with his brother before the hearing, realizing what will happen if he violates the omertà (potentially to his family in particular).
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Cites the Rosatos hiring blacks and Hispanics as one reason he hates them so much. His comments towards Roth drip with thinly-veiled anti-Semitism, wondering how Michael could trust a Jew against "his own blood."
* RememberTheNewGuy: A classic example, with Fredo gushing over Frankie as a long-lost friend we'd never seen before.
* TheStoolPigeon: With Willie Cicci after he mistakenly assumes Michael put a hit out on him. [[spoiler: He recants at the last minute when his brother pays him a surprise visit, courtesy of the Corleones]].
* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: Pentangeli was written to replace Clemenza when Castellano didn't return for ''Part II''. Nevertheless, he remains fairly distinct by being something of a GenkiGuy compared to Peter's more laid-back personality, and he's also more HotBlooded and insolent as well.
* TragicVillain: He's essentially a pawn in Michael and Roth's conflict, becoming an antagonist [[DrivenToVillainy through no fault of his own]]. He only turns against Michael after he's convinced that Michael tried to kill him.

[[folder: Al Neri]]
[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mv5bzgi3oty0ztqtzdlmni00oda1ltgzowutm2e2zmizyzywntu2xkeyxkfqcgdeqxvymtiwodk1ntq_v1.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:320:"''Look! I'd love to smack Joey Zasa and then whack the bag, Okay? But it's impossible. He's always mingling with people. In front of TV cameras, in his own neighborhood, it's impossible.''"]]
->''"I trust these men with my life, Senator. To ask them to leave would be an insult."''
-->-- '''Michael Corleone''', referring to '''Tom Hagen''' and '''Al Neri'''
->'''Portrayed By''': Richard Bright

A former NYPD cop expelled for PoliceBrutality, he was taken in by the Corleones as a hitman. Eventually became Michael's right-hand man and his most trusted bodyguard and advisor.

* AscendedExtra: By the second film, he becomes one of Michael's most trusted subordinates. And by the third, he's next to Connie in terms of power in the Family.
* CoDragons: With Rocco, for Michael.
* CowboyCop: What got him fired from the Force and into the Family.
* DistractedByTheSexy: One of his few emotive moments is when he's checking out the dancers in Vegas.
* TheDragon: He and Rocco take over as Michael's main enforcers and gunmen. [[spoiler:Al also survives the second film unlike Rocco which leaves him as the sole Dragon]].
* TheDreaded: One assumes this after Tom says of him to Michael "Now you've got your Luca."
* EvilCannotComprehendGood: He doesn't understand why his wife became terrified of him because of his brutality, and chose to take her distances from and eventually divorce with him, believing that it was unjustified due to him having never hit her.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: A small moment, but you can see that he looks down after Michael orders him to kill Fredo with just a look.
* GeniusBruiser: Genius might be an overstatement, but Al is very intelligent and Michael seeks and trusts his input.
* ImpersonatingAnOfficer: He does this in order to [[spoiler:assassinate Barzini]].
** In the books, Al Neri was previously an actual police officer until he killed a perpetrator while on the job rather than arresting him. The Corleones took a look at the circumstances and decided to provide him a high-powered defence to get him off the hook at the later trial, after which he came to work for the family.
* KickTheDog: To blackmail Senator Geary in ''Part II'' the Mob kills an innocent hooker and positions it near him as he sleeps to make him think he did it. It's implied that Al was the one who killed her.
* LawmanGoneBad: In the novel, he is revealed to have been an incorruptible but ferocious cop, until [[PayEvilUntoEvil he beat a pimp to death for harming a little girl]] and winds up convicted of manslaughter. Michael gets him off with a suspended sentence and in gratitude, he becomes Michael's most trusted bodyguard and ProfessionalKiller.
* MookPromotion: He goes from a "Button Man" to Michael's trusted caporegime.
* MoreDespicableMinion: He's a former cop with a violent streak, dismissed for PoliceBrutality after he had beaten a suspect to death, who harbors racist ideas and will have even fewer restrictions on his innate violence now he belongs to the mob. Michael Corleone looks nice compared to him.
* NoHistoricalFiguresWereHarmed: Loosely based on Carmine Galante, a vicious hitman and underboss to Joe Bonanno.
* PoliceBrutality: When he was a cop, he frequently patrolled the streets with a large flashlight which he used to great effect, either cracking up the foreheads of Italian youths that ran with street gangs or shattering the windshields of diplomats who showed no regard for traffic laws.
* TheQuietOne: Says nothing in the first film, and only a few scattered lines in the second and third films.
* TheStoic:
** In the first, the closest thing he exhibits to an emotion is concentration when preparing to [[spoiler:kill Barzini]]. He also visibly smiles for a brief second [[DistractedByTheSexy when he's checking out the girls Fredo invited]] to Michael's meeting with Moe Greene.
** The second film has two examples, both relating to Fredo:
*** He isn't sure how to respond when Fredo makes eye contact with him and wordlessly approaches him at the funeral.
*** He is visibly glum when Michael non-verbally orders him to kill Fredo.
* ThoseTwoGuys: With Rocco Lampone in the second as Michael's top two enforcers, sharing the screen on multiple occasions.
* UndyingLoyalty: To Michael.
* WouldHurtAChild: In the novel it's revealed that he beat his SpoiledBrat nephew for having talked in a very rude way to his mother, Al's sister. While it looks like his nephew started behaving better after, his wife was understandably horrified and grew distant of him, until eventually divorcing of him.

[[folder: Rocco Lampone]]
[[quoteright:243:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rocco.png]]
[[caption-width-right:243:"''These things happen, nobody's perfect.''"]]
->''"Difficult, not impossible."''
->'''Portrayed By''': Tom Rosqui

A Corleone soldier who works his way from hitman to caporegime.

* AscendedExtra: Like Neri, has much more screen time and importance in ''Part II'' than the original.
* CoDragons: With Neri, for Michael.
* DyingMomentOfAwesome: Kills [[spoiler: Roth]] before being gunned down.
* FromCamouflageToCriminal: He fought in UsefulNotes/WorldWarII and was sent home with a Purple Heart after having his leg crippled due to a shattered kneecap.
* HandicappedBadass: In the novel, Rocco suffered a crippling knee injury during World War II, which didn't prevent him from being a tough and efficient assassin. This backstory isn't revealed the film, but his character does walk with a limp.
* MookPromotion: He goes from a "Button Man" to Michael's caporegime.
* RiteOfPassage: Killing [[spoiler: Paulie]] is how Rocco 'makes his bones.'
* ThoseTwoGuys: He and Al Neri are Michael's top enforcers in the second film, and regularly appear together.

[[folder: Joey Zasa]]
[[quoteright:241:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/zaza_4.png]]
->''"As for Don Corleone, he makes it very clear to me today, that he is my enemy. You must choose between us."''
->'''Portrayed By''': Creator/JoeMantegna

A flamboyant captain of the Corleone family, trying to gain power in New York City. Michael and the other crime bosses consider him an embarrassment for his media grandstanding.

* ZeroPercentApprovalRating: ''Everyone'' hated him and was happy to see him go. The only person with any problem with his death was Michael, and that's only because he was upset Vincent and Connie ordered the hit without his permission.
* ArchEnemy: Makes a massive one out of Vincent, constantly badgering him and even ordering a hit. Vincent ends up winning their rivalry by being the one to personally gun him down.
* AssholeVictim: Executed in cold blood, but he's one of the worst mobsters in the trilogy, so there are no tears shed.
* AttentionWhore: One of the reasons everyone hates him. His constant need to grandstand to media caused even his bosses to loath him.
* BigBadWannabe: As a whole, he's not really as powerful as his boss, Altobello, and Michael and the Commission don't take him seriously.
* BullyingADragon: You think after biting his ear off he'd back off of Vincent, but he orders a hit instead. Vincent’s growing hatred of him leads to him being the one to personally execute the cowardly Don.
* DirtyCoward: Runs for the hills when he realizes a hit has been placed on him. Vincent gets him, anyway.
* DiscOneFinalBoss: Of ''Part III''. In fact, the real BigBad is relieved to see him go!
* DudeWheresMyRespect: His rant to the Mafia commission complains about no one taking him seriously. Michael [[ShutUpHannibal tells him it's own fault for being so flamboyant]].
* EqualOpportunityEvil: He recruits blacks and Latinos into his organization, which shows he "has a good heart". That's just about the only good thing Michael has to say about him, but it's likely only a case of PragmaticVillainy rather than any sincere acceptance and tolerance (i.e. [[WeHaveReserves having more soldiers and grunts]]).
* EstablishingCharacterMoment: He rudely interrupts a Corleone family gathering, the entire party coming to a dead halt until picking back up when he leaves.
* HatedByAll: Even civilians wanted this guy dead for selling drugs to their children.
* {{Jerkass}}: The man ''sells drugs to children''.
* LargeHam: Especially while playing himself up for media.
* ManOfWealthAndTaste: He likes to be known for his well dressed style and as a champion of Italian-American heritage. It doesn't exactly endear him to his fellow mafiosi.
* NeverMyFault: Seems unable to understand everyone hates him for being a grandstanding {{Jerkass}}, instead blaming Michael for how everyone views him.
* NoHistoricalFiguresWereHarmed: A thinly-veiled [[TakeThat up-yours]] against Joseph Colombo, from his personality to the Italian-American heritage organization Zasa fronts, resembling Colombo's Italian-American Civil Rights League which caused Coppola headaches [[RealitySubtext during the first film]]. His over-the-top, media-friendly persona also recalls John Gotti, Carmine Persico, Paul Castellano and "Crazy" Joe Gallo.
* NotSoHarmlessVillain: While seemingly a small fish in a big pond, he did still orchestrate a slaughter of the mob families.
* RememberTheNewGuy: As with Pentangeli in ''Part II'', a case of RealLifeWritesThePlot. Originally Zasa was to be Willie Cicci, but Joe Spinell's death forced Coppola to rewrite his storyline for a new character.
* SmugSnake: Sees himself as top dog, but Vincent and Connie remind how low on the totem pole he his with their hit.
* TheSociopath: Joey is a man of no morals. He takes no responsibility for his actions, feels nothing for the people he slaughtered, and is so morally bankrupt he'd sell drugs to children.
* TheStarscream: He is hinted as wanting to take over Altobello's plan so he can be Don.
* UndignifiedDeath: Spends his last moments screaming at a locked door before being executed by Vincent.
* WouldHurtAChild: As mentioned before, he sells drugs to children.

Michael's lawyer following Tom Hagen's death. He doesn't hold the title of consigliere, due to lacking the Sicilian background or the family connection of Tom Hagen. Despite this he is privy to a lot of the Corleones' remaining illicit business.

!!Non-made Associates

[[folder: Senator Patrick Geary]]
[[quoteright:243:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/geary.png]]
->''"I despise your masquerade, the dishonest way you pose yourself. You and [[PrecisionFStrike your whole fucking family]]."''
-> '''Portrayed by''': G.D. Spradlin

A crooked Nevada politician in ''Part II'', whom Michael blackmails into supporting him.

[[folder: Amerigo Bonasera]]

An italian-american undertaker, who's a member of the Corleones' neighborhood but avoided Vito's friendship, until his daughter was savagely attacked and beaten by two boys who got away due to their high social status, prompting him to go to Don Corleone for justice.

* GoodParents: He clearly loves his daughter Maria dearly, and did everything to raise her correctly and gave her much freedom.
* PapaWolf: He goes to Don Corleone to get payback at the boys who tried to rape and savagely assaulted his daughter, resulting in them being beaten within an inch of their lives by Paulie Gatto and his enforcers.
* UngratefulBastard: Downplayed, he's very grateful after the Corleones grant his request of beating back the boys who assaults his daughter, but later becomes afraid and and worried about repaying his debt to Don Corleone. Though given that you never know what a mobster may ask you to do to repay a debt, his reaction is perfectly understandable, and he's reassured that Vito makes him embalm Sonny Corleone instead.
* YouOweMe: He's on the receiving end of this as his request for justice leaves him indebted to Vito Corleone, something that makes him fearful that he would be forced to help cover up murders, until Vito calls him to perform the embalming of Sonny and makes him presentable for an open casket and for Vito's wife to see her son.

* UngratefulBastard: Downplayed, he's afraid and and worried about repaying his debt to Don Corleone, but given that you never know what a mobster may ask you to do to repay a debt, his reaction is perfectly understandable, and he's reassured that Vito makes him embalm Sonny Corleone instead.