Carmine Caridi obit

Disgraced ‘Godfather: Part II’ actor Carmine Caridi dead at 85

He was not on the list.


Carmine Caridi, the actor who achieved fame portraying Carmine Rosato in “The Godfather: Part II,” and then ignominy as the first member booted from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, has died at the age of 85.

Caridi passed away Tuesday after lingering in a coma at a Los Angeles hospital, his reps confirmed to Variety.

“From Broadway, to film and television, Carmine spent over six decades entertaining audiences, and nothing made him happier,” said a spokesperson. “His talent, wit, warmth and charm will be missed. Carmine passed peacefully, surrounded by friends and family (Tuesday) afternoon.”

In “The Godfather: Part II,” Caridi’s character played a key role in a feud with Michael V. Gazzo’s character, Frank Pentangeli.

But in 2004, Caridi became the first person expelled from the Academy for circulating screeners — a violation of the agency’s agreement — of films vying for Oscar consideration.
Movie mogul Robert Evans claimed in his 1994 memoir “The Kid Stays in the Picture” that Caridi was Francis Ford Coppola’s first selection for the role of Sonny Corleone in “The Godfather,” but the director had a change of heart after believing Caridi was too tall for the role, which was then offered to James Caan.

In addition to guest roles on numerous series, including “NYPD Blue,” “Starsky & Hutch” and “Taxi,” Caridi had a recurring role on the 1980s series “Fame,” playing Angelo Martelli, the father of keyboard whiz Bruno Martelli, portrayed by Lee Curreri.

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