The Hollywood Godfather Podcast

Gianni Russo and co-host Jeanie open the Hollywood Godfather Podcast’s 21st season, thanking listeners and teasing surprises. Russo says he is writing a new book himself—working chronologically from age 12—using coded diary entries, and discusses a proposed title referencing his apartment and the phrase “If These Walls Could Talk,” while noting he must avoid legal trouble. He shares early experiences at the Copacabana with Frank Costello, sleeping in a bakery, and meeting major figures, including Joe Kennedy, while helping relay union-related messages tied to JFK’s presidential ambitions. Russo recounts deep ties with Frank Sinatra (who taught him to sing, baptized his son, and asked him to dedicate “All the Way” to him and Ava Gardner) and stories about Dean Martin. They promote a new website with memberships, merchandise, signed items, cameos, and Russo’s “La Cosa Mia” shirts, plus charity dinners supporting “Gianni Believes You Can,” and invite fans to join as Zoom guests.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Gianni Russo and co-host Jeannie Raymond open the 21st season of the Hollywood Godfather Podcast, promote a new website with personalized Godfather memorabilia, gifts, membership tiers (“la familia”), Zoom/cameo appearances, and an upcoming clothing line, noting profits support Russo’s 501(c) “Gianni Believes You Can” for underprivileged children’s education. They celebrate Jeannie becoming a grandmother of twins and discuss staying busy, podcasts’ flexibility, and concerns about unrest and street violence. Russo previews a new book titled “4D at 223: If These Walls Could Talk,” based on coded daily ledgers kept since age 12 and stories tied to his longtime apartment and famous visitors. He also reveals undergoing multiple heart procedures earlier in the year and feels improved energy.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On the Hollywood Godfather Podcast, Gianni Russo, Patrick Piccirilli, and Megan host filmmaker Brett Ratner, who recalls meeting Russo as a child at Caesars Palace and later casting him in films including The Family Man, Red Dragon, and the Rush Hour movies. Ratner describes visiting the Scarface set in Miami Beach as a kid, appearing in a scene, and how watching Brian De Palma direct Al Pacino inspired him to become a director. He also shares childhood stories of befriending Meyer Lansky, including dinners with Lansky and receiving personal items and a letter to Golda Meir after his death, plus a story about Lansky’s stepson Dickie Schwartz. Ratner recounts Steve Wynn delaying the Desert Inn implosion so Ratner could film Rush Hour 2. The episode ends with listener mailbag Q&A, podcast announcements, and promotion of Piccirilli’s new book Popline.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On the 101st Hollywood Godfather Podcast, the hosts introduce a request-driven format and respond to a listener asking for an episode on New Orleans and Carlos Marcello. Patrick argues the American Mafia’s origins trace to New Orleans in the late 1880s, describing the “Sicilian Assassination League,” the 1890 killing of police superintendent David Hennessey, and the subsequent mass lynching of Italian defendants amid rivalry between the Matranga and Provenzano factions. They profile Marcello (born Calogero Minacore), his name change, gambling focus, small 12-man family with major political power, testimony before the Kefauver Committee, and later legal troubles, deportation attempts, and links with Costello and Trafficante. They discuss JFK-era claims involving Oswald, Ruby, and mob figures, mention mob lawyer Frank Ragano, explain “godfather” and initiation symbolism, run a Corleone Fine Italian Foods ad, and answer mailbag questions about Elvis, Connecticut mob history, a planned TV series (targeting fall 2022), holidays, New York’s decline, and Gianni Russo’s $3M boat purchase.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On the Hollywood Godfather Podcast, Gianni, Patrick and Meghan continue their mentor series by profiling Kirk Kerkorian, described as a self-made billionaire with no mob ties who loved gambling and reshaped Las Vegas through land deals and mega-hotels. They recount Kerkorian’s early life as a pilot ferrying planes to Scotland, his purchase and profitable sale of Trans International Airlines, his leasing land for Caesars, and building the International Hotel in 1969 with Barbra Streisand and Elvis Presley as early headliners, plus later ventures including MGM, Columbia Pictures, and attempted auto-industry takeovers. Russo shares personal stories of Kerkorian’s mentorship, Vegas licensing and zoning battles, and the rapid reopening after the MGM Grand fire. A sponsor message follows, then a mailbag covers magician Jimmy Grippo, Sinatra arranging a Happy Days cast appearance, Russo’s Vatican courier work, and a brief discussion of personal sayings.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy