Al Neri
Encyclopedia
Albert "Al" Neri is a fictional character
appearing in Mario Puzo
's novel The Godfather
and the three films based on it. In all three motion pictures, he is portrayed by actor Richard Bright
. In The Godfather: The Game
, he is voiced by Gary Chalk
. He functions as the personal bodyguard
of and chief assassin
for Michael Corleone
.
patrolman
, where he earns a reputation for a fierce temper, quick reflexes, and tremendous physical strength. He frequently patrols with a large flashlight
, which he uses to great effect, either cracking the foreheads of Italian
youths who run with gangs or shattering the windshields of diplomats who show no regard for traffic or parking laws. After his wife leaves him in fear of his temper, he kills a drug dealer
and pimp
by shattering his skull with the flashlight, and is convicted of manslaughter
. Neri's defense at trial for this act was that he was taught at the police academy
that black people had thicker skulls than whites or Italians.
Tom Hagen
and Pete Clemenza
see in him a potential replacement for Luca Brasi
, Vito Corleone
's feared enforcer, and arrange for his release from prison. Michael, appealing to Neri's sense of loyalty and Sicilian roots, recruits him into Clemenza's regime. Pete Clemenza initially impressed by the ferocity that Neri displayed in their first meeting. Neri later "made his bones
" and became Michael's chief lieutenant by personally performing the murders of Moe Greene
and Emilio Barzini
on Michael's behalf. After Salvatore Tessio
is killed for attempting to betray Michael, Neri takes over as caporegime
of Tessio's former regime. When Michael and his family move to Nevada
, Neri becomes head of security for all hotels controlled by the Corleones.
, Neri's story prior to becoming a made man
is not mentioned. He does not say a word in the first film and following Michael's return from exile
in Sicily
, Neri becomes his bodyguard, accompanying him everywhere. In the famous "baptism
sequence," Neri (disguised in a police officer's uniform) guns down Barzini and his bodyguards on the steps of a courthouse
, much as he does in the novel. However, the murder of Greene, which occurs simultaneously, is handled by another, anonymous gunman.
In The Godfather Part II
, Neri is seen to be Michael's unofficial second-in-command in his operations in Nevada. He is given the designation of capo (along with Rocco Lampone
and Frank Pentangeli
) on a flowchart
of the Corleone family created for the government. On Michael's orders, he arranges for Senator Pat Geary
, a powerful Nevada politician, to go to bed with a prostitute employed by the Corleones, then murders her so as to make Geary think he did it in an alcoholic blackout, thus ensuring his loyalty. Neri also carries out the murder of Michael's brother Fredo
, under Michael's orders. While out fishing
together on Lake Tahoe
, as Fredo recites a "Hail Mary
," Neri shoots him in the back of the head.
By the time of The Godfather Part III
, with Michael's decision to "go legitimate" by selling off his casino
interests and handing over control his rackets
to former subordinate Joey Zasa
, Neri continues to serve as his bodyguard, the only holdover from Michael's criminal operations. When Zasa betrays Michael and attempts to have him murdered at a meeting of the Commission
in Atlantic City, it is Neri who saves Michael from an assault that kills all the other bosses still in attendance, and later helps Michael's nephew, Vincent Mancini
, to plan Zasa's murder. When Michael transfers control of the family to Vincent, telling him to call himself "Vincent Corleone," Neri is the second to pledge his loyalty, after Calo, the former bodyguard of Don Tommasino
. In the closing scenes of the film, Vincent calls upon Neri's skills one last time, sending him to infiltrate Vatican City
, where he guns down the corrupt Archbishop Gilday
and tosses his body down a spiral staircase.
's novel The Godfather's Revenge
, Neri and his nephew take part in an attempt to obtain information from Nick Geraci
's father. He is seriously wounded in the final shootout at the end of the novel.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
appearing in Mario Puzo
Mario Puzo
Mario Gianluigi Puzo was an American author and screenwriter, known for his novels about the Mafia, including The Godfather , which he later co-adapted into a film by Francis Ford Coppola...
's novel The Godfather
The Godfather (novel)
The Godfather is a crime novel written by Italian American author Mario Puzo, originally published in 1969 by G. P. Putnam's Sons. It details the story of a fictitious Sicilian Mafia family based in New York City and headed by Don Vito Corleone, who became synonymous with the Italian Mafia...
and the three films based on it. In all three motion pictures, he is portrayed by actor Richard Bright
Richard Bright (actor)
Richard James Bright was an American actor best known for his role as Al Neri in the The Godfather films.-Early life & work:...
. In The Godfather: The Game
The Godfather: The Game
The Godfather: The Game is an action-adventure video game developed and published by Electronic Arts. It is the second video game in the Godfather series and based upon the 1972 film of the same name. Originally released in March 2006 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Microsoft Windows, The Godfather...
, he is voiced by Gary Chalk
Gary Chalk (actor)
Gary Chalk is an English-born Canadian actor, tri-national US-Canadian-UK citizen and voice artist. He has lend hit voice in over 30 animated television series and has been in films such as The Fly II and Freddy vs. Jason....
. He functions as the personal bodyguard
Bodyguard
A bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...
of and chief assassin
Hitman
A hitman is a person hired to kill another person.- Hitmen in organized crime :Hitmen are largely linked to the world of organized crime. Hitmen are hired people who kill people for money. Notable examples include Murder, Inc., Mafia hitmen and Richard Kuklinski.- Other cases involving hitmen...
for Michael Corleone
Michael Corleone
Michael Corleone is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novels, The Godfather and The Sicilian. He is also the main character of the Godfather film trilogy that was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, in which he was portrayed by Al Pacino, who was twice nominated for an Academy Award for his...
.
In the novel
In the novel The Godfather, Neri begins his career as a New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
patrolman
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
, where he earns a reputation for a fierce temper, quick reflexes, and tremendous physical strength. He frequently patrols with a large flashlight
Flashlight
A flashlight is a hand-held electric-powered light source. Usually the light source is a small incandescent lightbulb or light-emitting diode...
, which he uses to great effect, either cracking the foreheads of Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
youths who run with gangs or shattering the windshields of diplomats who show no regard for traffic or parking laws. After his wife leaves him in fear of his temper, he kills a drug dealer
Illegal drug trade
The illegal drug trade is a global black market, dedicated to cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of those substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license, of many types of drugs by drug prohibition laws.A UN report said the...
and pimp
Pimp
A pimp is an agent for prostitutes who collects part of their earnings. The pimp may receive this money in return for advertising services, physical protection, or for providing a location where she may engage clients...
by shattering his skull with the flashlight, and is convicted of manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Dracon in the 7th century BC.The law generally differentiates...
. Neri's defense at trial for this act was that he was taught at the police academy
Police academy
A police academy is a training school for new police recruits, also known as a law enforcement academy.-Australia:Larger police departments usually run their own academies. States often run a centralised academy for training of personnel of law enforcement agencies within the state.Police...
that black people had thicker skulls than whites or Italians.
Tom Hagen
Tom Hagen
Thomas "Tom" Feargal Hagen is a fictional character in the Godfather books and films. He was portrayed by Robert Duvall in the films. He is the informally adopted son of Don Vito Corleone and serves as the family lawyer and consigliere . Mild-mannered and soft-spoken, he often serves as a voice of...
and Pete Clemenza
Pete Clemenza
Peter Clemenza is a fictional character appearing in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and two of the three films based on it. He is played by Academy Award-nominee Richard Castellano in Francis Ford Coppola's film adaptation of the novel, and by Bruno Kirby in The Godfather Part II.-The...
see in him a potential replacement for Luca Brasi
Luca Brasi
Luca Brasi is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather, as well as its 1972 film adaptation .-In the novel and film:In The Godfather, Luca Brasi is one of Don Vito Corleone's personal enforcers...
, Vito Corleone
Vito Corleone
Vito Andolini Corleone is a fictional character and the main character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather, as well as Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather trilogy, where he was portrayed by Marlon Brando in The Godfather and by Robert De Niro in The Godfather Part II. Premiere Magazine listed Vito...
's feared enforcer, and arrange for his release from prison. Michael, appealing to Neri's sense of loyalty and Sicilian roots, recruits him into Clemenza's regime. Pete Clemenza initially impressed by the ferocity that Neri displayed in their first meeting. Neri later "made his bones
Made man
A made man, also known as a Mafioso , made guy, man of honor, or uomo d'onore , is someone who has been officially inducted into the Sicilian or American Mafia . They may also be referred to by some as a goodfella or wiseguy...
" and became Michael's chief lieutenant by personally performing the murders of Moe Greene
Moe Greene
Moe Greene is a fictional character appearing in Mario Puzo's 1969 novel The Godfather and the first installment of the The Godfather trilogy of films, in which he was portrayed by actor Alex Rocco...
and Emilio Barzini
Emilio Barzini
Don Emilio Barzini is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and in its film adaptation, in which he is portrayed by Richard Conte-In the novel:...
on Michael's behalf. After Salvatore Tessio
Salvatore Tessio
Salvatore "Sal" Tessio is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and the film based on it. In the film, Tessio was portrayed by Abe Vigoda. In the sequel, Vigoda reprised the role in a flashback, set in late 1941, at the end of the film...
is killed for attempting to betray Michael, Neri takes over as caporegime
Caporegime
A caporegime or capodecina, usually shortened to just a capo, is a term used in the Mafia for a high ranking made member of a crime family who heads a "crew" of soldiers and has major social status and influence in the organization...
of Tessio's former regime. When Michael and his family move to Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, Neri becomes head of security for all hotels controlled by the Corleones.
In the film series
In the film version of The GodfatherThe Godfather
The Godfather is a 1972 American epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo. With a screenplay by Puzo, Coppola and an uncredited Robert Towne, the film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard...
, Neri's story prior to becoming a made man
Made man
A made man, also known as a Mafioso , made guy, man of honor, or uomo d'onore , is someone who has been officially inducted into the Sicilian or American Mafia . They may also be referred to by some as a goodfella or wiseguy...
is not mentioned. He does not say a word in the first film and following Michael's return from exile
Exile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
in Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, Neri becomes his bodyguard, accompanying him everywhere. In the famous "baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
sequence," Neri (disguised in a police officer's uniform) guns down Barzini and his bodyguards on the steps of a courthouse
Courthouse
A courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
, much as he does in the novel. However, the murder of Greene, which occurs simultaneously, is handled by another, anonymous gunman.
In The Godfather Part II
The Godfather Part II
The Godfather Part II is a 1974 American gangster film directed by Francis Ford Coppola from a script co-written with Mario Puzo. The film is both a sequel and a prequel to The Godfather, chronicling the story of the Corleone family following the events of the first film while also depicting the...
, Neri is seen to be Michael's unofficial second-in-command in his operations in Nevada. He is given the designation of capo (along with Rocco Lampone
Rocco Lampone
Rocco Lampone is a fictional character appearing in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and its film adaptation, as well as the sequel, The Godfather Part II. He was portrayed in the films by actor Tom Rosqui.-In the films:...
and Frank Pentangeli
Frank Pentangeli
Francesco "Frankie Five Angels" Pentangeli is a fictional character from the film The Godfather Part II. In the film, he was portrayed by Michael V. Gazzo, who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance, which he lost to Robert De Niro, his co-star from the same film...
) on a flowchart
Flowchart
A flowchart is a type of diagram that represents an algorithm or process, showing the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting these with arrows. This diagrammatic representation can give a step-by-step solution to a given problem. Process operations are represented in these...
of the Corleone family created for the government. On Michael's orders, he arranges for Senator Pat Geary
Pat Geary
Pat Geary is a fictional character portrayed by G. D. Spradlin in the film The Godfather Part II. He is a U.S. senator from Nevada whose corruption and moral vices are exploited by Michael Corleone....
, a powerful Nevada politician, to go to bed with a prostitute employed by the Corleones, then murders her so as to make Geary think he did it in an alcoholic blackout, thus ensuring his loyalty. Neri also carries out the murder of Michael's brother Fredo
Fredo Corleone
Frederico "Fredo" Corleone is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather. In the fictional universe of the novel and its film adaptation, he is the second son of Vito Corleone , head of a powerful Mafia family...
, under Michael's orders. While out fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
together on Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the United States. At a surface elevation of , it is located along the border between California and Nevada, west of Carson City. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. Its depth is , making it the USA's second-deepest...
, as Fredo recites a "Hail Mary
Hail Mary
The Angelic Salutation, Hail Mary, or Ave Maria is a traditional biblical Catholic prayer asking for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Hail Mary is used within the Catholic Church, and it forms the basis of the Rosary...
," Neri shoots him in the back of the head.
By the time of The Godfather Part III
The Godfather Part III
The Godfather Part III is a 1990 American gangster film written by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola, and directed by Coppola. It completes the story of Michael Corleone, a Mafia kingpin who tries to legitimize his criminal empire...
, with Michael's decision to "go legitimate" by selling off his casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
interests and handing over control his rackets
Racket (crime)
A racket is an illegal business, usually run as part of organized crime. Engaging in a racket is called racketeering.Several forms of racket exist. The best-known is the protection racket, in which criminals demand money from businesses in exchange for the service of "protection" against crimes...
to former subordinate Joey Zasa
Joey Zasa
Joey Zasa is a fictional character appearing in The Godfather Part III. He was portrayed by Joe Mantegna. He is based on a mix of three real Mafia members: Joseph Colombo, Joe Gallo and John Gotti.-Character overview:...
, Neri continues to serve as his bodyguard, the only holdover from Michael's criminal operations. When Zasa betrays Michael and attempts to have him murdered at a meeting of the Commission
The Commission (mafia)
The Commission is the governing body of the American Mafia. Formed in 1931, the Commission replaced the "Boss of all Bosses" title, with a ruling committee, consisting of the New York Five Families bosses and the boss of the Chicago Outfit...
in Atlantic City, it is Neri who saves Michael from an assault that kills all the other bosses still in attendance, and later helps Michael's nephew, Vincent Mancini
Vincent Mancini-Corleone
Vincent Santino Corleone is a fictional character in the 1990 feature film The Godfather Part III, in which he is portrayed by Andy García, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance...
, to plan Zasa's murder. When Michael transfers control of the family to Vincent, telling him to call himself "Vincent Corleone," Neri is the second to pledge his loyalty, after Calo, the former bodyguard of Don Tommasino
Don Tommasino
Don Lionele Tommasino is a fictional character from The Godfather series of books and films.-Novel and first two films:Tommasino is an old friend of Vito Corleone from Vito's native village of Corleone, Sicily. By the 1920s, he has become a top-ranking soldier in the local Mafia family, headed by...
. In the closing scenes of the film, Vincent calls upon Neri's skills one last time, sending him to infiltrate Vatican City
Vatican City
Vatican City , or Vatican City State, in Italian officially Stato della Città del Vaticano , which translates literally as State of the City of the Vatican, is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. It has an area of...
, where he guns down the corrupt Archbishop Gilday
Archbishop Gilday
Archbishop Gilday is a fictional character and one of the main antagonists in The Godfather Part III. He is portrayed by Donal Donnelly. His character is said to have been based on Paul Marcinkus....
and tosses his body down a spiral staircase.
In other media
In Mark WinegardnerMark Winegardner
Mark Winegardner is an American writer born and raised in Bryan, Ohio. His novels include The Godfather Returns, Crooked River Burning, and The Veracruz Blues. He published a collection of short stories, That's True of Everybody, in 2002. His newest novel, The Godfather's Revenge, was published...
's novel The Godfather's Revenge
The Godfather's Revenge
The Godfather's Revenge, a 2006 novel written by author Mark Winegardner, is the sequel to The Godfather, The Sicilian, and The Godfather Returns. The story takes place from 1963–1964, and picks up the story from where The Godfather Returns left off...
, Neri and his nephew take part in an attempt to obtain information from Nick Geraci
Nick Geraci
Fausto Dominic 'Nick' Geraci Jr. is a central character in the Mark Winegardner novels The Godfather Returns and The Godfather's Revenge. He is a caporegime in the Corleone crime family, but later betrays the family, and becomes a sworn enemy to Don Michael Corleone.-Biography:The Godfather Returns...
's father. He is seriously wounded in the final shootout at the end of the novel.