Anthony Corleone

Fictional character biography

Anthony has a small role in the first film; his only consequential scene shows him witnessing the death of his grandfather, Vito Corleone, who dies while playing with him in the garden. He is portrayed by Anthony Gounaris, a three-year-old who was given the character's name because he responded best to his own name. The Godfather is Gounaris's only acting role. The second film opens in 1958 with Anthony's first communion, followed by an extravagant banquet at the family estate near Lake Tahoe.

During the celebration, his father's time is consumed by family business, a recurring theme. Anthony receives many gifts from strangers, which confuses him. Later, he and his sister Mary overhear their parents arguing; Kay tells Michael she is taking the children and leaving. Michael strikes her after she reveals she had an abortion rather than bring another of his children into the world.

After the divorce, Michael refuses Kay access to Anthony and Mary. Anthony appears to resent his mother's role in the split and is sullen during a secret visit arranged by his aunt Connie. Michael discovers the visit and sends Kay away coldly. By the film's end, Anthony has developed a close relationship with his uncle Fredo.

When they are about to go fishing, Michael calls Anthony away to accompany him to Reno, and Fredo is assassinated on Michael's order. Anthony is portrayed in the second film by James Gounaris, brother of the first film's actor, who never took another acting role.

Sequel novels

In Winegardner's sequel novels, Anthony Corleone sees Fredo's murder from his window, which later explains his knowledge of the truth. He struggles with his father Michael, loving him but refusing to follow his path. This ambivalence stings Michael, yet he recognizes it, having felt the same toward his own father.