Created by Mario Puzo Gender Male Creator Mario Puzo Occupation Drug lord Movie The Godfather | Portrayed by Al Lettieri Played by Al Lettieri First appearance The Godfather Nickname(s) The Turk | |
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Similar Tom Hagen, Peter Clemenza, Sonny Corleone, Emilio Barzini, Salvatore Tessio | ||
Virgil sollozzo
Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo (1898 – January 1946) is a fictional character and the main antagonist of Mario Puzo's The Godfather.
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In the novel, it is said that he got his nickname because he has a nose like a Turkish scimitar. He also has a Turkish wife and children, and does much of his business (growing poppy) in Turkey. Sollozzo in the film and books is described as a top narcotic man and highly intelligent in business dealings, able to pick up that Sonny was interested in his deal when Vito declined his offer of partnership. He helped orchestrate two assassination attempts on Vito, only being foiled by bad luck at the first attempt, and by the unexpected intervention of Michael after buying off corrupt police captain McCluskey to remove Vito's bodyguards in the hospital. He attempts a final time to negotiate a truce while heavily implied he would strike again. In the book, Sollozzo speaks Sicilian to Michael Corleone because he feels he can better express himself in that language. In the film, his English seems to be native and accent-free, though he still communicates with Michael in Italian. This may be to prevent corrupt Captain McCluskey, who is also in attendance, from understanding what they are saying.
In Francis Ford Coppola's film adaptation, he is portrayed by Al Lettieri.
In the game
In The Godfather: The Game, Virgil Sollozzo is voiced by Richard Newman.