Date of Birth: October 15, 1920
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Date of Death: July 2, 1999
Biography
Mario Puzo was an acclaimed American author and screenwriter, best known for his seminal work, “The Godfather,” a novel about the powerful Italian-American Mafia family, the Corleones. Born into a poor family of Italian immigrants in New York City, Puzo’s upbringing in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood heavily influenced his writing. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II and later attended the New School for Social Research and Columbia University. Puzo’s writing career began with short stories and articles for men’s magazines, but it was “The Godfather,” published in 1969, that catapulted him to international fame. The novel’s success led to a lucrative career in Hollywood, where he co-wrote the screenplays for the film adaptations of “The Godfather” trilogy, which garnered multiple Academy Awards. Puzo continued to write novels and screenplays until his death in 1999, leaving behind a lasting legacy in both literature and film.
5 Interesting Facts about Mario Puzo
1. Mario Puzo’s novel “The Godfather” has sold over 21 million copies worldwide.
2. Puzo won two Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay for “The Godfather” (1972) and “The Godfather Part II” (1974).
3. Before achieving success with “The Godfather,” Puzo wrote two moderately successful novels, “The Dark Arena” and “The Fortunate Pilgrim.”
4. Puzo’s interest in organized crime stemmed from his experiences growing up in a predominantly Italian-American neighborhood in New York City.
5. In addition to his work on “The Godfather” films, Puzo co-wrote the screenplay for the 1978 Superman movie.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mario Puzo
1. “A lawyer with his briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns.”
2. “The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, lies in its loyalty to each other.”
3. “Revenge is a dish that tastes best when served cold.”
4. “The only wealth in this world is children, more than all the money, power on earth.”
5. “Behind every successful fortune there is a crime.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Mario Puzo’s net worth was estimated to be around $20 million.
Children
Mario Puzo had five children: Anthony, Joseph, Dorothy-Anne, Virginia, and Eugene.
Relevant Links
1. [Mario Puzo Biography on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0701374/bio
2. [Mario Puzo’s The Godfather on Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22034.The_Godfather
3. [Mario Puzo’s Profile on Biography.com](https://www.biography.com/writer/mario-puzo
5. [The Godfather Trilogy on Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/franchise/godfather
