Don Novello, best known to fans of classic “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 1975–present) as the sharp-witted Father Guido Sarducci, brought that irreverent Catholic priest to life across various platforms for nearly four decades. Don Novello used the character to cleverly—and often hilariously—comment on political and religious happenings throughout the years, offering satire with a wink and a collar. But beyond the cassock, Don Novello also channeled his comedic genius into another memorable persona: Lazlo Toth, the fictional letter writer who never hesitated to share his unfiltered opinions on politicians and American powerbrokers, always suggesting he knew a better way forward.
Of course, not every project Don Novello touched turned to gold. One notable example was “Noble Rot,” a film he was co-writing with his fellow “SNL” cast member John Belushi—a collaboration tragically cut short by Belushi’s fatal drug overdose in 1982. Still, Don Novello wasn’t one to shy away from the unconventional. He once created a high school yearbook that featured only sheep—yes, really—and masterminded an elaborate children’s musical that took months of planning, involved hundreds of kids, and was performed just once. Talk about commitment to the bit.
While Father Guido Sarducci remains the role most closely associated with Don Novello, his talents extended far beyond sketch comedy. He carved out a niche as a character actor, appearing in several films by acclaimed director Francis Ford Coppola. Whether through satire, performance, or sheer absurdity, Don Novello consistently demonstrated a rare gift for humor—one that was smart, subversive, and unmistakably his own.
So, when it comes to Don Novello’s film career, there are definitely some highs and lows in terms of critical reception. If we’re talking about the standout moment in Don Novello’s filmography, his highest-rated movie has got to be The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone from 1990 — a true classic that really added a memorable touch to Don Novello’s body of work. On the flip side, not every project turned out quite as strong, and unfortunately, Don Novello’s lowest-rated film is Head Office, released back in 1986. While it didn’t resonate as well with audiences or critics, it’s still part of Don Novello’s journey in Hollywood. Overall, Don Novello has had a varied career, with roles that span across different genres and eras, but those two films really mark the top and bottom in terms of ratings.