The Godfather characters

Also known as Don Corleone, The Godfather

Appears from the start

The head of the most powerful Mafia family in postwar New York, a Sicilian immigrant who has built an empire of influence, crime, and political connection. Dignified, patient, and soft-spoken, he governs by a code of loyalty, favors, and reciprocal obligation, presenting himself as a reasonable man of business who prefers reason to violence but will use force without hesitation. Feared and respected, he is godfather to many and the ultimate authority his family and associates turn to for protection and justice outside the law.

Appears from the start

The Don's youngest son, a decorated war veteran who has deliberately kept himself apart from the family's criminal business and wants a legitimate, respectable life. Cool, intelligent, and reserved, he attends his sister's wedding with his girlfriend Kay, an outsider to whom he calmly explains that he is not like the rest of his family. He is the son the Don never intended to bring into the business.

Also known as Sonny

Appears from the start

The Don's eldest son and presumed heir, a big, forceful, hot-tempered man who serves as his father's enforcer. Passionate and quick to anger, generous to those he loves and brutal to enemies, he lacks his father's patience and cunning. His appetites and his temper are as large as his loyalty to the family.

Appears from the start

An orphan of German-Irish background taken in and raised by the Corleones as one of their own, now a lawyer and the family's consigliere, its trusted counselor. Level-headed, discreet, and loyal, he handles the family's legal front and delicate negotiations. Though not Sicilian by blood, he is fully part of the family's inner circle and one of the Don's closest advisers.

Appears from the start

Michael's girlfriend, a proper young New England woman of respectable Protestant background who is entirely outside the world of the Corleones. Curious and a little naive about what the family truly does, she is drawn to Michael's quietness and his insistence that he is separate from the family business.

Appears from the start

The Don's middle son, a dutiful but weak and ineffectual man who lacks the strength of his brother Sonny and the sharpness of Michael. Loyal to his father and eager to please, he is not seen as capable of leading, and is kept to lesser roles in the family.

Appears from the start

The Don's daughter, whose grand wedding opens the story. Spoiled and emotional, she marries an ambitious young man, Carlo Rizzi, and steps into married life under the shadow of her powerful family.

Appears from the start

An ambitious, good-looking young man who marries the Don's daughter Connie and hopes to rise through his new connection to the Corleone family. Resentful of being kept at the margins of the family business, he chafes at the limited role he is given.

Appears from the start

A fat, jovial, hospitable caporegime, one of the two senior lieutenants who command the Don's soldiers. Genial and fond of food and family life on the surface, he is a ruthless and experienced operator in the family's violent work, and a trusted veteran of the Corleone organization.

Appears from the start

The Don's personal enforcer, a huge, terrifying man devoted body and soul to Vito Corleone. Feared even by other hardened criminals for his capacity for violence and his utter loyalty, he is the weapon the Don keeps in reserve for the most dangerous work.

Appears from the start

A world-famous singer and film hopeful who is the Don's godson. Charming and self-pitying, his career has slumped, and he comes to his godfather at the wedding begging for help to win a movie role that could revive his fortunes.

Also known as The Turk

First appears in chapter 3

A narcotics trafficker backed by a rival family, known as The Turk for his experience in the drug trade. Shrewd and dangerous, he approaches Don Corleone for financing and political protection to expand his heroin operation. When the Don refuses, judging the trade too politically toxic, Sollozzo becomes the catalyst for open conflict.