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Vlcsnap-2010-06-25-23h16m47s21 "Godfather is a term used by his friends, one of affection, one of respect."
The title of this article is a nickname.
Queicon There are two conflicting canon sources for this article, from The Godfather (novel) and The Godfather.

"Power wears out those who do not have it."
―Calò to Licio Lucchesi[src]
Franco Citti (2)

Calo's final moments before he is shot to death.

Calò was a loyal, if not particularly intelligent shepherd and bodyguard working for Don Tommasino, and entered the Don's service when he was young, proving to be a dab hand with the 'lupara' shotgun.

Biography[]

"The Corleones left drugs, so New York is weak, and Palermo is strong."
―Calò to Don Tommasino[src]
Michael and Calo

Michael and Calò.

When Michael Corleone fled to Sicily to escape the American authorities, Calò and his friend Fabrizio were assigned to protect Michael. The three developed a close bond of friendship until Fabrizio betrayed Michael, attempting to kill him in an explosion that claimed the life of Michael's wife Apollonia. Calò continued to serve Tommasino loyally for the next four decades. When Don Tommasino's health began to deteriorate in the 1970s he became his acting boss, running the day-to-day operations of the clan.

In the service of Michael Corleone[]

"My master is dead. Blood calls for blood. I must have revenge!"
―Calò[src]
Vincent Lou Calo

Calò in 1980.

In 1980, when Michael returned to Sicily, he and Calò were reunited. After Tommasino's death at the hands of assassin Mosca of Montelepre, Calò demanded revenge. He got his chance when Michael's successor, Vincent Mancini, dispatched him to the compound of Don Lucchesi, ostensibly to deliver a message from Michael. Calò convinced Lucchesi to whisper his message − "Power wears out those who don't have it" – into his ear. He then grabbed Lucchesi's glasses and stabbed him in the neck with them. Don Lucchesi's bodyguard immediately pulled out a pistol and shot him to death.

Personality and traits[]

Of the two bodyguards, Calò was much less vocal. He was intensely loyal to his master Don Tommasino and immediately requested permission to take revenge following his death. Calò's loyalty was such that he was willing to die to repay his debt to Michael Corleone.

Behind the scenes[]

In the novel, Calò was killed by the same car bomb that killed Apollonia.

Calò was portrayed by Franco Citti

Trivia[]

  • Calò is an Italian diminutive of the name Calogero, meaning that is likely Calò's first name.

Notes and references[]

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