Emilio Barzini

The rival don who masterminded the attempt on Vito Corleone and Sonny's murder.

Emilio 'The Wolf' Barzini serves as the primary antagonist in Mario Puzo's 1969 novel The Godfather and its 1972 film adaptation, where he is portrayed by Richard Conte. As the head of one of New York's Five Families, he stands as the second most powerful Mafia don in the country, trailing only Vito Corleone. Barzini operates within a criminal empire built on narcotics, gambling, and prostitution, with specific ambitions to expand into Las Vegas to exploit the lucrative casino rackets. His character draws inspiration from real-life figures such as Vito Genovese, Frank Costello, and Lucky Luciano, reflecting their desire for total control over the New York Mafia.

Quick Facts

First: The Godfather
Last: The Godfather: The Game
Creator: Mario Puzo
Portrayed by: Richard Conte
Nickname: The Wolf
Occupation: Crime boss
Gender: Male
Family: Barzini family

Lore & Background

Barzini first appears as a guest at Connie Corleone's wedding before orchestrating a complex plot involving drug lord Virgil 'The Turk' Sollozzo. He arranges for Sollozzo to meet Don Vito Corleone with an offer to join the Barzini and Tattaglia families in the narcotics trade, hoping to leverage Vito's political connections. When Vito refuses, calling it a 'dirty business,' Barzini approves Sollozzo's plan to assassinate him. He believes that Sonny, as the successor, will accept the deal. When Sonny also refuses after his father survives, Barzini secretly conspires with the Tattaglia, Cuneo, and Stracci families to wage war on the Corleones. He manipulates Carlo Rizzi, Vito's bitter son-in-law, to draw Sonny into a trap where he is assassinated by Barzini family hitmen while driving to his sister's house.

Reader's Guide

Emilio Barzini leads one of the Five Families and maintains a key rivalry with the Corleone family. His known associates include Virgil Sollozzo, whom he uses to initiate the drug war, and Salvatore Tessio, his mole within the Corleone organization. Barzini's status is deceased, having been eliminated by Michael Corleone's counter-strike. His real-life inspirations include Vito Genovese, whose attempt to control the Mafia ended at the Apalachin meeting, and Frank Costello and Lucky Luciano, who influenced Barzini's mannerisms and management skills.

Did You Know?

In The Godfather: The Game, the character Aldo Trapani, rather than Al Neri, is the assassin who shoots Barzini on the courthouse steps.
The elder Corleone explicitly warned his son that a peace meeting proposal from an enemy was the signature move of a traitor.