Johnny Fontane
From The Godfather Wiki
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| Johnny Fontane | |
|---|---|
| Biographical information | |
| Gender |
Male |
| Eye color |
Brown |
| Hair color |
Brown |
| Born |
April 2, 1913 |
| Family | |
| Portrayed By | |
- "Oh Godfather, I don't know what to do...
You can act like a man! What's the matter with you? Is this how you've turned out? A Hollywood finocchio who cries like a woman?" - ―Johnny Fontane and Vito Corleone[src]
Johnny Fontane is the godson of Don Vito Corleone and a famous crooner. He was portrayed by Al Martino.
[edit] Biography
Born in Little Italy, Johnny Fontane grew up with Nino Valenti, who remained his firm friend. From an early age, Johnny had a talent for singing, and with the subtle help of his godfather, Vito Corleone, was able to break into showbusiness. After finishing college, he married his childhood sweet heart Ginny, and had two children, but later left her for Hollywood actress Margot Ashton, who turned out to be a floozy. This action estranged him from his godfather, who thought the act was highly disrespectful to Johnny's family.
Early in his career, Johnny was once assigned to Les Halley, a bandleader he wanted to break from, so Johnny called upon his Godfather for help. Don Vito visited the bandleader, who would not sign a release for ten thousand dollars.
Later, Don Vito visited the bandleader with Luca Brasi, who made him an offer he couldn't refuse (a gun to the head), and Halley signed a release check for one thousand dollars.
It wasn't long after his second marriage fell apart that Johnny started developing a sore throat. His condition worsened until he could barely sing for ten minutes without suffering a hoarse throat for three days after. With his singing career looking grim, Johnny sought to make it in big movies, not the singing buddy pictures he had done but Oscar-winning blockbusters. Just such a movie was in production, a war film which featured a main character that a perfect part for Johnny and would put him right back on top. There was only one problem: Jack Woltz, the head of the studio, hated Fontane for having made off with one of his mistresses and spitefully refused Johnny the part.
Johnny arrived at Connie's wedding, where he entertained the guests before asking the Don if he could help him secure a part in a new war movie. When negotiations failed to persuade Jack Woltz, the head of the studio, his prize stud horse was decapitated and left in his bed. Johnny was soon granted the part. Around this time, his divorce from Ashton came through, and he began to rebuild his relationship with Ginny.
[edit] Superstardom
Don Corleone also helped Fontane by helping him win the Academy Award, in return, Johnny made a star out of his old friend Nino, who died from his heavy drinking habits shortly after appearing in a widely sucessful film. At about this time, Johnny had his third marriage to Annie McGowan, the host of a famous puppet show, but this marriage was short lived. He finally settled on Francesca Corleone, daughter of his old friend Sonny Corleone, whom he stayed with.
Johnny continued to appear in films, but was not too much of a star to sing Michael Corleone's favourite song To Each His Own at a party celebrating Michael's receiving of the Order of Saint Sebastian.
[edit] Behind the Scenes
Fontane was apparently based on Frank Sinatra who was believed to have used his mob connections to gain a part in From Here To Eternity.
