Peter Clemenza

Peter Clemenza
Richard S. Castellano portraying Peter Clemenza in The Godfather
First appearance	The Godfather
Last appearance	The Godfather: The Game
Created by	Mario Puzo
Portrayed by	Richard S. Castellano, Bruno Kirby (as a young man)
Information
Nickname(s)	Fat Clemenza, Pete
Gender	Male
Title	Capo Consigliere
Family	Corleone family
Spouse(s)	Mrs.Clemenza
Relatives	Ray Clemenza (son) Don Domenic Clemenza (brother)

Peter Clemenza is a fictional character appearing in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and two of the three films based on it. He is played by Academy Award-nominee Richard Castellano in Francis Ford Coppola's film adaptation of the novel, and by Bruno Kirby (as a young man) in The Godfather Part II.

Born near Trapani, Sicily, Peter Clemenza is one of Don Vito Corleone's caporegimes and oldest friends, as well as the godfather of his eldest son, Sonny. He has a reputation as a superb judge of talent; his regime produced no fewer than five future capos—Sonny, Frank Pentangeli, Rocco Lampone, Al Neri, and Joey Zasa.

He is a supporting character in the story, but several of his actions are key to the plot. For example, he is ordered by Don Corleone, via consigliere Tom Hagen, to oversee the punishment of two teenage boys who received suspended sentences for beating and attempting to rape the daughter of undertaker Amerigo Bonasera. Vito's wife, Mrs. Corleone, is the girl's god-mother. Clemenza assigns the job to his "button man" Paulie Gatto, who recruits two former professional boxers turned Corleone Family loan enforcers to assist. A deleted scene from the film depicts Gatto delivering the beating.