Link from findagrave.com about the final resting places/memorials of some of the cast/crew, etc.:

http://www.findagrave.com/php/famous.php?page=pr&FSctf=245

Thanks heaps for that link LL.I was quite interested to read up on it.

Very interesting site, with great information. I was surprised to hear that he was the highest paid actor in GF. I guess when you think of it, the film, at the time, except for Brando, was basically a group of little known actors. I remember at the time,when I saw the film in the theater, the only ones I really recognized were Richard Conte, Al Martino and Sterling Hayden. While they all played important characters, their screen time wasn't all that long.

Castellano was the highest paid actor in the Godfather, and would have been in the sequel, but was written out of the script because he demanded too much money and also because he insisted on having his own separate writer to write his dialogue. After the Godfather, he appeared in 9 more films, usually typecast as a criminal. On TV he played the father of Bruno Kirby, in "The Super" (1972) and "Joe and Sons," 1975-76. He died at his home in North Bergen, NJ of a heart attack on Saturday, December 10, 1988, at the age of 55. His funeral was held on December 14 at the Lady of Libero Roman Catholic Church, after which his body was taken to the Garden State Crematory in North Bergen. Of note, his wife in the Godfather was played by his real life wife, actress Ardell Sheridan, who also played his wife in "the Super." (bio by: Frank Russo)

Nice find.

I was suprised to learn that Al Lettieri died so young. Here's info from Wikipedia (which cannot be entirely trusted, as it lists credits after Lettieri died):

Al Lettieri (born Alessandro Lettieri, February 24, 1928 – October 18, 1975) was an Italian American actor, best known for his portrayal of Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo in The Godfather.

Lettieri convincingly projected a remarkable aura of menace and ruthlessness in his film roles, which he attributed to his acquaintance with real-life gangsters, including Joey Gallo. He made his on screen debut in the made for TV film The Hanged Man. Lettieri played the villain against some of Hollywood's biggest screen names including chasing Steve McQueen in The Getaway, Charles Bronson in Mr. Majestyk, and John Wayne in McQ.

Lettieri died of a heart attack in 1975, at the age of 47, leaving two children. His daughter, Alda Lettieri, is a stage actress in New York City.

Lettieri was another of those brilliant casting choices for GF and II. Although Sollozzo is a pivotal character in terms of what he sets in motion, he was limited to a relatively small screen presence. But Lettieri was so letter-perfect for that role that he's unforgettable. One of Lettieri's assets was that, like Lee Marvin, he combined a coarse, often menacing, appearance with a cultured voice that was alternately smooth and then snarling.

Turnbull, I think you hit upon one of the great factors in brilliancy of the Godfather films. Picking the right actor for the right character. As I previously stated many of the secondary characters were top actors, who usually got more screen time in past films. I really can't think of a weak character in either GFI or II. Mix in FFC attention to detail, and you have the ingredients for a great film.

By the way, great comparision using Lee Marvin, especially Marvin in "The Dirty Dozen".