Rocco Lampone
Encyclopedia
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
.
, he decides to give Lampone a chance to "make his bones
." Clemenza and Lampone drive Gatto to a remote spot near New York
, making him think they're scouting out places to live in case Sonny
orders them to "go to the mattresses." While Clemenza is waiting outside the automobile, Lampone kills Gatto with three bullets to the head.
Lampone rises quickly in the Corleone family
. After Michael Corleone
takes over the family, he makes Lampone a caporegime
. On the advice of Vito Corleone
, Michael puts together a secret regime for Lampone, but makes sure that it is eventually discovered by Tom Hagen
. Later in the film, Lampone and another unnamed associate kill Philip Tattaglia
in his bed, and his men play a role in the wave of murders that cements Michael's power.
He subsequently moves to Nevada
with the family and arranges security for the Lake Tahoe
compound; he is, however, unable to prevent the attempt on Michael's life by two mobsters hired by Michael's rival Hyman Roth
, and allowed in by fellow conspirator Fredo Corleone
. When the time comes to take revenge on Roth, Rocco opines that assassinating him would be "difficult, not impossible", and is personally entrusted with the hit. Disguised as a reporter, Rocco successfully approaches Roth at Miami Airport and shoots him, but despite the ensuing panic and confusion, he is in turn shot and killed by FBI agents while fleeing the scene.
's sequel novel The Godfather Returns
. However, there is a slight discrepancy in the novel, as it states that Lampone is missing a kneecap (as a result of his participation in the North Africa
campaign during World War II
) and has been using a cane since. This is not directly seen nor mentioned in any of the movies or the original novel. Though Lampone does have a limp in both films, no background is given as to why.
He is briefly mentioned in the next novel in the series, The Godfather's Revenge
as the antagonist, Nick Geraci
, ponders the fates of many of Michael Corleone's associates.
In The Godfather: The Game
, it is revealed that he plants the horse head in Jack Woltz
's bed with some assistance from the game's protagonist, Aldo Trapani
.
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 its film adaptation
The 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...
, as well as the sequel, 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...
. He was portrayed in the films by actor Tom Rosqui
Tom Rosqui
Thomas Francis "Tom" Rosqui was an American character actor with extensive stage experience.Rosqui was born in Oakland, California, the son of Sally , a homemaker, and Thomas A. Rosqui, a traffic manager. Rosqui appeared on Broadway in "Sticks and Bones," and "The Price," among others...
.
In the films
Lampone is an associate of Peter Clemenza. When Clemenza is assigned to kill the treacherous Paulie Gatto in 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...
, he decides to give Lampone a chance to "make 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...
." Clemenza and Lampone drive Gatto to a remote spot near New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, making him think they're scouting out places to live in case Sonny
Sonny Corleone
Santino "Sonny" Corleone is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's 1969 novel The Godfather and its 1972 film adaptation. He also appears as an infant, as a young boy, and an adult in The Godfather Part II....
orders them to "go to the mattresses." While Clemenza is waiting outside the automobile, Lampone kills Gatto with three bullets to the head.
Lampone rises quickly in the Corleone family
Corleone family
The Corleone family is a fictional Sicilian Mafia family settled in New York City. The family was created by Mario Puzo and appears in his 1969 novel The Godfather, as well as the acclaimed film trilogy of the same name directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The family was founded by Vito Corleone , who...
. After 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...
takes over the family, he makes Lampone a 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...
. On the advice of 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...
, Michael puts together a secret regime for Lampone, but makes sure that it is eventually discovered by 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...
. Later in the film, Lampone and another unnamed associate kill Philip Tattaglia
Philip Tattaglia
Philip Tattaglia is a fictional character appearing in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather, the first installment of The Godfather film trilogy and The Godfather video game. He was portrayed by actor Victor Rendina.-In the story:...
in his bed, and his men play a role in the wave of murders that cements Michael's power.
He subsequently moves 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...
with the family and arranges security for the 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...
compound; he is, however, unable to prevent the attempt on Michael's life by two mobsters hired by Michael's rival Hyman Roth
Hyman Roth
Hyman Roth is a fictional character, and the primary antagonist in The Godfather Part II, played by the actor and acting teacher Lee Strasberg, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the role...
, and allowed in by fellow conspirator Fredo Corleone
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...
. When the time comes to take revenge on Roth, Rocco opines that assassinating him would be "difficult, not impossible", and is personally entrusted with the hit. Disguised as a reporter, Rocco successfully approaches Roth at Miami Airport and shoots him, but despite the ensuing panic and confusion, he is in turn shot and killed by FBI agents while fleeing the scene.
In other media
Rocco appears 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 sequel novel The Godfather Returns
The Godfather Returns
The Godfather Returns is a novel written by author Mark Winegardner, published in 2004. It is the sequel to Mario Puzo's The Godfather, which was originally published in 1969, and The Sicilian...
. However, there is a slight discrepancy in the novel, as it states that Lampone is missing a kneecap (as a result of his participation in the North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
campaign during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
) and has been using a cane since. This is not directly seen nor mentioned in any of the movies or the original novel. Though Lampone does have a limp in both films, no background is given as to why.
He is briefly mentioned in the next novel in the series, 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...
as the antagonist, 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...
, ponders the fates of many of Michael Corleone's associates.
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...
, it is revealed that he plants the horse head in Jack Woltz
Jack Woltz
Jack Woltz is a fictional character from the Mario Puzo novel The Godfather and the 1972 film adaptation. In the film, he is portrayed by John Marley.-In the film:...
's bed with some assistance from the game's protagonist, Aldo Trapani
Aldo Trapani
Aldo Trapani is the protagonist and player character of the video game The Godfather: The Game, based on the film The Godfather. He also briefly appears in the sequel, The Godfather II, which is based on The Godfather Part II....
.