Carlo Rizzi Character Analysis

Rizzi is Connie Corleone’s husband. His father was Sicilian and his mother was from North Italy. As a result, he has striking blond hair and lacks the darker complexion of the Sicilians around him. Rizzi grew up in Nevada but moved to New York to escape petty troubles with the law. In New York, he befriended Sonny Corleone and eventually proposed to Connie. Carlo is well aware of the Corleone Family’s wealth, and he marries Connie in part because he hopes to get a piece of their wealth and power for himself. He eventually receives a role running one of the Family’s small bookmaking operations, a relatively unimportant position that he resents. A compulsive gambler and philanderer, Carlo also has a quick temper. He physically and emotionally abuses Connie because he makes him feel powerful to dominate a Corleone. Carlo’s abusiveness towards Connie infuriates Sonny, who regrets introducing Carlo to his sister and beats him mercilessly in the street. Carlo gets revenge on Sonny by intentionally beating Connie again. As an enraged Sonny drives to Carlo’s home to kill him, Don Barzini’s men murder him in a hail of bullets. Towards the end of the novel, Michael discovers that Carlo had collaborated with Barzini. As punishment, Clemenza garrotes Carlo in a car.