Italian-American actor, Al Lettieri, initially presented a menacing on-screen presence, which later evolved into the quintessential on-screen hoodlum through a series of pivotal roles in influential crime films of the early 1970s.
Throughout his career, Lettieri had the opportunity to play the villain opposite some of Hollywood's most renowned stars, including Steve McQueen in "The Getaway" (1972),Charles Bronson in "Mr. Majestyk" (1974),John Wayne in "McQ" (1974),and, arguably, his most iconic role, as Virgil "The Turk" Sollozo, in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" (1972),where he sought to eliminate Marlon Brando's character.
Interestingly, Lettieri made his on-screen debut at the age of 36 in "The Hanged Man" (1964),and several years later, he served as an associate producer on the disturbing kidnapping drama "The Night of the Following Day" (1969),starring Marlon Brando.
It was during the early 1970s that Lettieri truly found his stride, starring in numerous high-profile films before unfortunately passing away at the age of 47 due to a heart attack. One of the most convincing "heavies" of modern cinema, Lettieri left a lasting impact on the film industry.
Person Biography:
Al Lettieri was born on February 24, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York. He began his acting career in the 1960s, initially appearing in minor roles before gaining recognition for his portrayal of villains in several notable films of the early 1970s.
Lettieri's most iconic role is arguably his performance as Virgil "The Turk" Sollozo in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" (1972),where he played the ruthless and cunning enforcer of the Corleone crime family.
