Character Overview
Pentangeli is a caporegime in the Corleone family, running the family's operations in New York City while Michael (Al Pacino) and Fredo Corleone (John Cazale) are in Nevada. He was a top soldier in the regime of Peter Clemenza (Richard S. Castellano) succeeding Clemenza on his death. In his early life, Pentangeli was a tough hoodlum. Vito Corleone (Robert DeNiro) noted he ran a gambling joint which did not pay protection money when discussing with Clemenza and Tessio what to do about the extortion threats made by Don Fanucci.
In The Godfather, Part II, Pentangeli is portrayed a very old associate and family friend who has been with the family since the early days of the Corleone olive oil business. After Michael Corleone moved the famiy business to Lake Tahoe, Pentangeli moved into Vito's former estate on Long Island. His bodyguard is longtime soldier Willi Cicci.
Pentangeli's character was conceived in The Godfather, Part II by Coppola and Puzo when actor Richard Castellano did not reprise his role as Clemenza in the sequel. The Pentangeli character took the part in the plot which was originally intended for Clemenza.
Read more about this topic: Frank Pentangeli
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