Angelo Infanti is an Italian film actor most famously recognized for his portrayal of Fabrizio in the iconic organized-crime saga The Godfather. Born in 1939 in Zagarolo, Italy, Infanti has built a remarkable career that stretches over four decades, working extensively in both Italian and American cinema. Early in his career, he appeared in a number of Italian films, such as Four Dollars for Vengeance in 1966. Then, in 1971, he landed a significant role as one of the race car drivers in the Steve McQueen-starring drama Le Mans. This opportunity paved the way for what would become the most memorable role of his career—playing the deceitful Fabrizio in Francis Ford Coppola’s Academy Award-winning masterpiece The Godfather (1972).
In the film, Angelo Infanti’s character starts off as a loyal bodyguard to Michael Corleone during his time in Sicily, but eventually betrays him by orchestrating a deadly car bomb that tragically claims the life of Michael’s wife. Later the same year, Infanti took on the role of gangster Lucky Luciano in the film adaptation of The Valachi Papers. Beyond film, Angelo Infanti also made numerous appearances on television, including roles in Black Emanuelle and the TV film adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo. In 2010, he appeared in Letters to Juliet, playing the character Lorenzo, a chess player, and has continued to maintain a visible presence in Italian television over the years.
Angelo Infanti is perhaps best known for his role in The Godfather (1972), which remains his highest-rated film to date. On the other hand, his performance in Le Mans (1971) is often regarded as his least acclaimed work. While Angelo Infanti has appeared in several other movies throughout his career, these two films continue to stand out—The Godfather in a very positive light, and Le Mans as a more forgettable entry. Angelo Infanti’s contribution to cinema is often measured by the contrast between these two notable projects.