Top 10 Best Characters in The Godfather Trilogy

The Godfather is a trilogy of American crime films that follow the fictional Italian American mafia Corleone family, whose patriarch, Vito Corleone (later Michael Corleone), rises in American organized crime.

1. Vito Corleone

   

   Vito Andolini Corleone is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and in Francis Ford Coppola's film series based on the novel. He was portrayed by Marlon Brando in The Godfather and, as a young man, by Robert De Niro in The Godfather Part II. Vito Corleone is the patriarch of the Corleone... read more

   Cool, fair, feared. He would never have allowed Fredo to be killed and would have intervened on Pentangeli's behalf.

   Simply the best character ever in the series, and one of the most fabulous characters in cinema history!

   I thought Brando was okay, and De Niro was unforgettable.

2. Michael Corleone

   

   Michael Corleone is the main character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and the three films based upon it, all directed by Francis Ford Coppola. He is portrayed by Al Pacino and undergoes a dramatic transformation from a reluctant outsider to the ruthless leader of the Corleone crime family. Michael... read more

   I don't know why most people prefer Vito. Michael is the best, and Al Pacino is a better actor than Marlon Brando.

   Cold-hearted, methodical, somewhat paranoid. Killing Fredo was unnecessary.

   He took the family to a different level. He is unquestionably the best.

3. Tom Hagen

   

   Tom may have done morally questionable things while working in the family business, but he was the kind of friend you wanted in your corner. He's loyal, hardworking, and smart. Yet, Tom is also not afraid to tell you when you're wrong. He desperately tried to persuade Sonny to think pragmatically and raised moral objections to Michael's plan to kill Hyman Roth.

   Tom and the Corleones, in general, can also be counted on to honor their deals. So, as far as criminals involved in plotting mass murder go, Tom is a stand-up guy.

   Tom, along with Vito, are the only major characters that don't have a major flaw. Sonny is a great character, but his hot-headed attitude can make him come off as a jerk at times. Fredo is also great, but obviously lacks intelligence and strength. (I'm counting this as Fredo's flaw rather than betrayal because I really don't think Fredo intended to betray Michael. He was simply lied to by Roth and Ola, which I chalk up to as dumbness.) Michael is obviously an outstanding character as well, but by the end of the second movie, he has become unbelievably cold-hearted, given how his character started out.

   Tom doesn't have a major flaw. He's smart, a voice of reason, loyal, etc. At no point did he make a major mistake or commit any act of betrayal. Tom is the most underrated character by far.

4. Santino Corleone

   

   Horrible Don. He let his emotions override his intelligence and was way too impulsive, but he loved his family.

   He was hot-headed, but also loyal and very protective of his family. He's an amazing character in the trilogy.

   The coolest mob character ever!

5. Fredo Corleone

   

   I like Fredo because he is a sad, realistic, and magnificent character. He would be in the second or third spot if I were to make a list. I don't know. I usually do not like characters like him, but somehow, I love Fredo.

   My one respect for him is that he almost killed Kay. Also, rest in peace John Cazale.

6. Peter Clemenza

   

   Loyal, loyal, and loyal. He would cook dinner for you, then kill you in a heartbeat if given the order.

   He is one of the coolest characters in the trilogy.

   Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.

7. Frank Pentangeli

   

   He got screwed. He deserved better after a lifetime of loyalty to the Corleone family. Michael should have helped him.

8. Moe Greene

   

   "I'm Moe Greene! I made my bones when you were going out with cheerleaders."

   I got a business to run.

9. Kay Adams-Corleone

   

   The second wife of Michael Corleone.

10. Salvatore Tessio

    

    Smart, calculated, no-nonsense. He should have stayed loyal.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Deanna Dunn-Corleone

    
12. ?

    Kathy Corleone

    

    The second daughter of Sonny.

The Contenders

13. Constanzia Corleone

    

    The only daughter and youngest child of Vito and Carmela Corleone.

14. Hyman Roth

    

15. Mary Corleone

    

    The daughter of Michael Corleone and Kay Adams.

16. Paulie Gatto

    

17. Francesca Corleone

    

    The first daughter of Sonny Corleone.

18. Vincent Corleone

    

    Hot-headed like his father, ruthless like Michael, charming like Vito. He had a little of everyone. His temper, like his dad's, would have been his downfall.

    I think he was the coolest Godfather.

    He should be in the top 5.

19. Apollonia Vitelli-Corleone

    

    The first wife of Michael Corleone.

    Sweet, innocent, gorgeous. I just liked looking at her, lol.

20. Licio Lucchesi

    

21. Emilio Barzini

    

22. Luca Brasi

    

    He may have been a little slow, but he followed through with his "never-ending loyalty" to the family. He risked his own life and died for them!

23. Philip Tattaglia

    

24. Carmine Cuneo

    

25. Victor Stracci

    

26. Sandra Corleone

    

    The wife of Sonny Corleone.

27. Jack Woltz