'Godfather' actor set to perform at Butler festival
There is nothing more Italian than meatballs, red wine and “The Godfather.”
For the second Butler Italian Festival, Louis Giovanni “Gianni” Russo, who starred as Al Pacino's brother-in-law in the 1972 Francis Ford Coppola classic, will perform classic Italian songs and talk about his acting career. Russo was featured in the role of Carlo Rizzi, who was married to Connie Corleone.
Now Russo, 74, is a spokesman, singer and motivational speaker.
The idea to bring Russo in was to make the festival “bigger and better,” according to event organizer and manager Michael Dongilli.
The festival is scheduled for Aug. 24 to 26 on Main Street in Butler.
All information on entertainment, food and specific times can be found at butleritalianfestival.com.
Read more of this story in Sunday's Butler Eagle.