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 John Cazale mini-bio: An Italian-American, Cazale only made five feature films in his career,
all which many fans and critics alike call classics. But before his film debut, the
short The American Way (1962) he won numerous Obie Awards for his stage performances
in "The Indian Wants the Bronx" and "The Line".
Cazale scored the role of Fredo Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather
(1972), after his long time friend, Al Pacino, invited him to audition. He reprised
his role as the troubled Fredo in The Godfather: Part II (1974), where his character
endures one of the most infamous movie moments in the history of cinema.
Cazale also starred with Gene Hackman and Harrison Ford in the thriller, The
Conversation (1974), as Hackman's assistant, Stan. The Godfather's director, Francis
Ford Coppola, also directed the movie.
Cazale's fourth feature film, Dog Day Afternoon (1975), earned him a Golden Globe
nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Sal, a bank robber. His long
time friend and Godfather co-star, Al Pacino, played his partner, Sonny.
His final film, The Deer Hunter (1978), was filmed whilst he was ill with cancer. He
met his co-star, Meryl Streep, whilst filming The Deer Hunter (1978) and they became
engaged.
Controversy occurred during the filming. While the studio was unaware of his
condition, the director, Michael Cimino, knew about it. As Cazale was evidently
weak, he was forced to film his scenes first. When the studio discovered he was
suffering from bone cancer, they wanted him removed from the film. His co-star and
fiancé, Meryl Streep, threatened to quit if he was fired. He died shortly after
filming was completed.
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