Vito Corleone has a lot of trusted associates in The Godfather, from his lawyer to his early business partners, but the Don’s true right-hand man can only be seen in a deleted scene. As he runs the Corleone crime family, Vito has a lot of close confidants in The Godfather saga. Salvatore Tessio and Sonny’s godfather, Peter Clemenza, were both caporegimes within the family. They were integral to Vito’s rise to power, as seen in the prequel storyline of The Godfather Part II.
The Don’s lawyer and consigliere, Tom Hagen, is one of his closest business associates. Vito wasn’t actually Tom’s father, but he practically raised him. Tom is as much a son to Vito as Michael, Sonny, or Fredo. Vito runs all his decisions by Tom first to get his thoughts. At the very least, Tom is Vito’s sidekick, although he relies on him so much that a case could be made that he’s his right-hand guy. But none of these characters is Vito’s true right-hand man.
Genco Abbandando Only Appears In A Deleted Scene From The Godfather
Vito Visits His Childhood Best Friend On His Deathbed In A Deleted Scene
Vito’s real right-hand man is his childhood best friend, Genco Abbandando. Vito and Genco quickly developed a friendship when a young Vito was hired to work at Genco’s father’s grocery store in Hell’s Kitchen. Genco doesn’t actually appear on-screen in The Godfather; he can only be seen in a deleted scene. The deleted scene sees Genco on his deathbed, where Vito comes to visit him. Genco dies from his cancer the day after Connie and Carlo’s wedding. Francis Ford Coppola ultimately decided to cut the scene from the film.
Genco’s Real Role In Vito Corleone’s Empire Explained
Genco Was Vito’s First Consigliere
When Vito became the new Don of the neighborhood, he recruited Genco to be his first consigliere (the job that Tom would eventually take). Genco meant so much to Vito that, when Vito launched an olive oil company as a legitimate front for his criminal activities, he named it after his best bud: the Genco Pura Olive Oil Company. Genco served Vito with the utmost loyalty, and his insights allowed Vito to consolidate more wealth and power as his empire grew.
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Vito Corleone’s The Godfather Timeline Explained (In Chronological Order)
Vito Corleone was already rich and powerful when audiences met him in The Godfather, but Part II filled in his complex (and tragic) backstory.
After Vito won the Olive Oil War and he was untouchable, Genco and his family moved into a house on Vito’s massive Long Beach estate. When Sonny wanted to get involved in the family business, Genco helped to show him the ropes. Genco remained one of Vito’s smartest and most useful advisors for years. He only stepped down when he was diagnosed with cancer and became so sick that he couldn’t perform his duties anymore. Without Genco, Vito might not have become The Godfather.
Francis Ford Coppola directed this 1978 classic that would go on to become one of the most iconic crime films ever made. Starring Marlon Brando, James Caan, and Al Pacino, The Godfather gives a tense and introspective look into the Corleone crime family of New York City.