Michael Corleone: The Iconic Character of The Godfather

The Legend of Michael Corleone in The Godfather

Michael Corleone is the protagonist of Mario Puzo's 1969 book The Godfather. He is a fictional character who serves as the youngest son of Vito Corleone, a powerful Mafia boss. Following his father's passing, Michael takes on the role of Don of the Corleone family and leads the Mafia empire.

In June 2003, Michael Corleone was honored by the American Film Institute as the 11th most enduring villain in cinematic history. While some critics debate his characterization, others view him as a tragic hero. British film magazine Empire ranked Michael as the 11th greatest movie character, citing Al Pacino's portrayal as one of the finest performances in film history.

In Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather, Michael is depicted as having distinct physical features: "He didn't have a large Cupid-shaped face like his brother. His straight, jet-black hair was a pure olive brown, and he possessed delicate handsomeness."

Who was Michael's portrayer in The Godfather?

Al Pacino portrayed Michael Corleone in The Godfather. His performance as the character is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest in film history.