Mario Puzo

Mario Puzo was one of the most influential authors of the twentieth century, gaining fame and notoriety for his Mafia novels and movies that shaped the way people think about organized crime today. Born on October 15, 1920, in the Italian-American neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen on the west side of Manhattan, Puzo's tough upbringing would be reflected in his works years later. In 1941, Puzo got a job as a clerk at a record store and wrote his first novel, The Dark Arena, while working there.

Puzo's breakthrough novel, The Godfather, was published in 1969. It was a massive success, becoming an international bestseller and the basis for the Academy Award-winning 1972 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola. By 1975, the novel established itself as one of the all-time best-selling books and the movie’s success earned Puzo a joint Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay with Coppola.

The Godfather became the first installment in what is now known as the “Godfather Trilogy”, which also features The Godfather Part II (1974) and The Godfather Part III (1990). Puzo wrote both sequels with the help of Coppola, who also directed the movies. The Godfather Trilogy is considered one of the greatest movie sagas ever created and one of the best-selling series in literature.

The success of The Godfather spawned several other Mafia-related novels, such as The Sicilian (1984), Fools Die (1978), and Omerta (2000). Puzo's other novels include The Fourth K (1991), The Forsaken (2001), and The Family (2004). Puzo also co-wrote the movies Superman (1978) and Batman (1992).

Puzo was awarded the National Book Award for Fiction in 1979 for the novel Fools Die, and his various works have been translated into multiple languages and adapted into plays and movies. Puzo passed away in 1999, but his impact and influence can still be felt today.

Mario Puzo was a master storyteller who created some of the most memorable and beloved characters in literature and film. His work has been an inspiration to countless readers and filmgoers, and his legacy will continue to outlive him. With The Godfather and the other works in his collection, Puzo solidified himself as one of the greatest authors of the twentieth century and stands today as an icon of popular culture.