CLEVELAND, Ohio – The next time you watch "The Godfather" we've got an appropriate dinner suggestion: Sauces, olive oil and balsamic vinegar out on the market from entertainer-actor-writer-businessman Gianni Russo.
Fans of "The Godfather" know Carlo as the guy who made the very wrong decision to beat his wife, who happened to be the sister of Michael Corleone, and then turn on the family. Big mistake.
"Get him a drink," Michael says calmly. "Don't be afraid, Carlo. Come on, you think I'd make my sister a widow? I'm godfather to your son."
Minutes later, that was the end of Carlo.
But definitely not the end of the actor who played him.
To say Russo, 76, has had a rich career is an understatement.
He has dozens of screen credits to his name and ran clubs in Las Vegas. He sings, he's into wine (he has his own line), and he is promoting his book "Hollywood Godfather: My Life in the Movies and the Mob," published this year. He is working on a touring music-story show that takes fans through his life. He overcame polio as a child and sold ballpoint pens on the streets of New York, where he met, and became friends with, mobster Frank Costello. He has a podcast.
The latest venture for the self-proclaimed "saucier" is a food-product line that will be hitting the Greater Cleveland market soon.
Sidari's Italian Foods is handling the products in Ohio: Organic Sicilian olive oil, Balsamic vinegar and four sauces - Marinara, arrabiata ("I love spice; when you taste it you're going to think it came out of a cast-iron pan with fresh chili peppers"), tomato basil and Clemenza's Italian-style meat sauce. Fredo's Alfredo sauce and a pesto version are coming down the line.
Clemenza, of course, is a family friend of Don Vito Corleone. The image of Vito, played by Marlon Brando, is on the labels.
Russo said the products, which were in development for two years, will be in 18,000 supermarkets across the country. "Corleone Family Selections" is printed on the label, which contains the story of how the family started.
"I'm trying to create legacy with a legacy brand," Russo said.
Speaking from Las Vegas, where he is promoting his book, Russo said he has been cooking "all my life."
"Italians make love, cook, and sing," he said, his thick New York accent still coming through. "I tell my sons 'Don’t do it at the same time.' "
"It's ironic because the brand is 50 years old and no one did anything with it," said Russo, referring to Mario Puzo's 1969 novel, the basis for the movies.
Russo was approached about the idea for the sauces and distribution, and timing was perfect with the book marking half a century and the movie close, at 47 years.
"We want to capitalize," he said. "The timing couldn’t be better."
Aside from nostalgia, timing and business interests, Russo has another motive: "I'm doing it for my grandchildren. I have nine sons and two daughters. I have 18 boys I have to create jobs for."
Joe Sidari, president of Sidari's Italian Foods in Cleveland, said his parent company, national Italian food distributor Greco & Sons of Chicago, partnered with Russo and Paramount Pictures on the product line.
"It's here now, in our warehouse," Sidari said. "It started arriving and we're just starting to put it in stores now."
Added Russo: "I'm not going to give my friend a pot of sauce I wouldn’t eat. That’s why we partner with Greco; they're a great company to work with."
The possible sequel to the initial line looks to be affordable, quality cheeses - provolone and Parmigiano-Reggiano - as well as rectangular pizza from Italy, Russo said.
Also, fans of the sauce, the movie and the actor should know Russo is slated to head to Cleveland this summer for a promotional appearance.