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Gianni Russo knows the Mafia inside and out. He grew up on Mulberry Street in Manhattan’s Little Italy where Mafia boss Frank Costello took him under his wing. In 1962, he was privy to inside information regarding the murder of his friend Marilyn Monroe. A year later, he was acting as a messenger for New Orleans boss Carlos Marcello during the months and weeks leading up the JFK assassination. With Frank Sinatra as his singing teacher and Marlon Brando as his acting teacher, Russo landed the role of Carlo Rizzi in The Godfather. He is the author of Hollywood Godfather, an autobiography written with Patrick Picciarelli. Michael Benson is the acclaimed author of nonfiction history and crime books, including Gangsters vs Nazis, Hollywood vs Nazis, Evil Season, and Betrayal in Blood, as well as Moguls, coauthored with Craig Singer. He is also one of America’s most accomplished and popular Mafia experts, having coauthored numerous books on the subject, including Carmine the Snake, Mafia Hit Man, Lord High Executioner, Red Hook, and Carlo Gambino with Frank DiMatteo and Mafia Secrets with Gianni Russo. He is a regular commentator, appearing on numerous radio and television shows such as On the Case with Paula Zahn and Deadly Sins on the ID: Investigation Discovery channel. A recipient of the Academy of American Poets Award, he can be found on Facebook @authorMichaelBenson.
Praise for Gianni Russo MAFIA SECRETS “Gianni Russo has been a friend of mine for forty-three years. There is no one funnier, more charming, or more entertaining than my pal Gianni. Also, there is no better storyteller. You will love this book, I promise. Salute, my friend!” —Steve Schirripa, actor, The Sopranos THE 6TH FAMILY “A suspense-packed, what-if novel with twists and turns all around. Brilliant storytelling.” —Mark Shaw, bestselling author of The Reporter Who Knew Too Much HOLLYWOOD GODFATHER “Gianni Russo walks the walk and talks the talk. What a life. Fascinating. A worthy read.” ―Robert De Niro, two-time Academy Award-winning actor “Gianni Russo has seen a lot, done a lot, and tells it all. Amazing.” —Nick Pileggi, author of Wiseguy and Casino and Academy Award-nominated screenwriter of Goodfellas “Gianni Russo is a true character who has led a most colorful life.” —Gay Talese, New York Times bestselling author of Honor Thy Father “In this robust, fast-paced memoir, Russo describes his life going from being a real-life mobster to landing a role playing one in The Godfather . . . [his] exhilarating memoir packs a punch.” ―Publishers Weekly “Russo’s writing style reads like narration from Goodfellas . . . Fans of mob movies and unlikely success stories will find Russo’s account compelling.” ―Library Journal “Recounting a life that reads like a narrative for a mob-movie script, a mobster, actor, and Las Vegas presence delivers numerous eye-opening revelations about national and world events . . . Russo is an engaging raconteur.” ―Kirkus Reviews “Russo tells a fascinating story about how a kid from New York’s Little Italy grew up to be a genuine mobster (and actor, singer, and restauranteur) . . . a hell of an interesting guy.” —Booklist “An absolute blast . . . Great storyteller . . . Great read.” —Criminal Element
