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“I Didn’t Even Know What The Godfather was”: Getting Cast as a Hated Godfather Character Was the Last Thing Diane Keaton Expected
Fandomwire ^ | JUNE 6, 2024, | Laxmi Rajput

Posted on 06/06/2024 7:10:44 PM PDT by nickcarraway

Diane Keaton's surprising journey to starring in the iconic The Godfather trilogy.

-Diane Keaton landed her first major role in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather trilogy.

-However, the actress has shared that she never expected to land the part, as she had no knowledge about The Godfather.

-She was surprised when she got the call back about the role, as she did not expect to land a dramatic part. Featured Video

Diane Keaton, a celebrated Hollywood actress known for her remarkable talent and extensive career in the industry, has graced the screen in several hits such as Sleeper and Annie Hall. However, the first major part that earned her significant recognition came with that of Kay Adams-Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather.

After starring alongside Al Pacino in the first film, she would reprise her role in the subsequent sequels. However, the actress later acknowledged that she did not expect to land the part when she went in for the auditions.

Diane Keaton Had no Expectations About Landing The Godfather Role Diane Keaton took on the role of Kay Adams-Corleone, second wife of Michael Corleone, in The Godfather trilogy. While the actress seamlessly transformed into her character, Kay Admas has not been immune to criticism.

Fans have shared their criticism of the character calling her bland and uninteresting compared to the other members of the Corleone family. And the actress certainly wouldn’t have anticipated such a response to her character, considering she didn’t even expect to land the part.

In an interview, the Oscar winner shared insights into her casting process for the 1972 film. The actress shared that after making her Broadway debut and starring in films like Lovers and Other Strangers, she was advised to seek more opportunities through auditions.

SUGGESTED“1977 was her year”: Diane Keaton Looked Unbeatable at the Biggest Stage With 2 Oscar-Worthy Performances in 1 Year “1977 was her year”: Diane Keaton Looked Unbeatable at the Biggest Stage With 2 Oscar-Worthy Performances in 1 Year “Someone said to me, ‘You’ve got to go and audition for things,” she recalled as per AARP. After which, she went in and auditioned for Francis Ford Coppola’s acclaimed trilogy. However, Keaton entered the process without knowledge of the film’s premise or its literary source.

“So, I auditioned for the film, and I got the role of Kay Corleone,” she said while revealing, “I didn’t even know what The Godfather was.” The actress later reflected on the experience of securing a dramatic role despite her background in comedy, describing it as the “strangest thing” that ever happened to her.

Diane Keaton Described Landing The Godfather Role as “Strangest Thing” Ever Celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Godfather, Diane Keaton reflected on her audition for the 1972 film. Keaton, whose work mostly included comedy both on Broadway and in movies at the time, shared that she would constantly audition for several jobs when she went in for Francis Ford Coppola’s film as well.

The actress also shared that she was surprised when she got the call back about the role, as she did not expect to land a dramatic part. “I didn’t know what the movie was or anything,” she said in an Instagram post before adding, “I performed the script… and then I left.”

Admitted that she never envisioned herself in the role, the actress said,

Later, I heard that Francis Coppola wanted me to play the part. That’s when I realized that that was the strangest thing to ever happen to me in my whole life.”

After Giving Al Pacino a “Get Married or Break Up” Ultimatum, Diane Keaton Chose “More Adventurous Things” Over a Married Life The 78-year-old actress’ role in the movie might not be a fan favorite, but Keaton has enjoyed a remarkable and prolific career, having starred in numerous films and earning multiple accolades, including an Oscar for the 1977 film Annie Hall.


TOPICS: Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: 70s; dianekeaton; donate; getajob; godfather; keaton; thegodfather; tightwad
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To: Dr. Sivana

I stand corrected on the timing of the abortion. And yes, Sonny’s son was conceived in I, but did not appear as a character until III.


61 posted on 06/07/2024 11:08:46 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Either ‘the Deep State destroys America, or we destroy the Deep State.’ --Donald Trump)
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To: Cinnamontea
Yeah, WASP culture is like that on TV and in the movies. In reality WASPs--an ignorant term, really--have as much culture as anyone else, and it's no more "bland" or "repressed" than any other culture, just different.

I contend that they have “more” culture than many, if not most other ethnicities. A long-held Puritan Christian culture of modesty and of keeping a low profile typified the Northeastern descendents of the New England settlers.

My use of WASP was not literal or figurative, but as the acronym it stands for: White Anglo-Saxon Protestant.

62 posted on 06/07/2024 11:36:09 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Either ‘the Deep State destroys America, or we destroy the Deep State.’ --Donald Trump)
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To: Albion Wilde

I’ve always considered WASP as a positive term. Maybe ‘cause I’m one. 😆


63 posted on 06/07/2024 11:38:38 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam (Navarro didn't kill himself.)
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To: Chode

“she was a White Blond Girl to OFFSET all the other members of the Corleone family...

she filled the bill and was good in the part”

That’s what I thought.


64 posted on 06/07/2024 11:50:59 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam (Navarro didn't kill himself.)
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To: MayflowerMadam

Yes Ma’am...


65 posted on 06/07/2024 11:52:40 AM PDT by Chode (there is no fall back position, there's no rally point, there is no LZ... we're on our own. #FJB)
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To: PghBaldy

“On Thin Ice,”

That was seriously tense.


66 posted on 06/07/2024 11:54:40 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam (Navarro didn't kill himself.)
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To: ClearCase_guy

It’s just missing the blue line clickbait.


67 posted on 06/07/2024 11:58:42 AM PDT by Fledermaus (We Are Now In A Civil War!)
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To: Dr. Sivana

“If you narrow the definition of WASP to include primarily upper-middle-class to upper-class, there is something there.”

I’m a WASP, from a poor family. WASP has nothing to do with money.


68 posted on 06/07/2024 11:59:50 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam (Navarro didn't kill himself.)
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To: MayflowerMadam

It does, and it doesn’t. WASP stands for White Anglo Saxon Protestant, but colloquially it implies class as well. A southern redneck often meets the definition but is not typically included in the grouping.


69 posted on 06/07/2024 12:07:06 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana (Stormy Daniels is a McGuffin)
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To: MayflowerMadam

Here is a definition from Perplexity ai:

Some key points about WASPs:
The term emerged in the 1960s to describe the elite upper class of American society that had roots tracing back to the original English Protestant settlers of the 17th century.
WASPs historically held a position of power, wealth, and influence in American society, politics, academia, and culture for several centuries.
The WASP establishment was seen as promoting its own cultural values and traditions derived from Northern European Protestant backgrounds.
Over time, the WASP elite’s influence has declined as American society became more diverse and meritocratic, though remnants of the old establishment persist in certain institutions.
The term can have negative connotations of exclusivity, snobbery, and discrimination against non-WASPs, though it was originally a sociological descriptor.


70 posted on 06/07/2024 12:13:20 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana (Stormy Daniels is a McGuffin)
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To: Dr. Sivana

Hmmm... I don’t recall hearing it as a derogatory term for uppity elitists. Always just the simple literal meaning of the acronym. ...

“had roots tracing back to the original English Protestant settlers of the 17th century.”


71 posted on 06/07/2024 12:32:54 PM PDT by MayflowerMadam (Navarro didn't kill himself.)
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To: MayflowerMadam

I agree the acronym implies nothing more, but in Connecticut it implied the whole thing listed. George H.W. Bush would be a first class example.l


72 posted on 06/07/2024 12:43:03 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana (Stormy Daniels is a McGuffin)
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To: ClearCase_guy

Maybe Kamala has a column. It sounds like Kamala. Kamal is who it reminds me of, or rather Kamala’s speech patterns are those of whose speech patterns it is reminescent.


73 posted on 06/07/2024 1:15:26 PM PDT by takebackaustin
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To: Albion Wilde; Cinnamontea; Dr. Sivana

Funny - I would’ve been the first to use the term WASP on this thread, if I hadn’t shortened an earlier post in the interest of time. Now that I see this discussion, I have to add my two cents. :-)

Where I grew up, I remember the acronym WASP (White Anglo Saxon Protestant) was used mostly for the wealthy elite families who lived on the Main Line (Philadelphia area). It also could be used for the not-so-wealthy or working-class Anglo Saxon Protestant families who shared certain qualities with their wealthier counterparts - mainly, a quiet, reserved demeanor. In those days, no one I knew used the term WASP as a pejorative, but quite the opposite was true - WASPs tended to either look down upon, or be amused by, other ethnic groups, such as Italian Catholics.

I never read the Godfather books. Maybe if I did, I would understand why Keaton was picked for the role of Kay. She might be perfect for the role, and Pacino perfect for his role, but (IMHO) the two of them don’t work together.


74 posted on 06/07/2024 2:56:51 PM PDT by Tired of Taxes
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To: Tired of Taxes
She might be perfect for the role, and Pacino perfect for his role, but (IMHO) the two of them don’t work together.

Wasn't that the point in Michael being obsessed with her image in society instead of making a true love marriage with her? His father had wanted him to climb out of the Italian-American environment that you noted was regarded as déclassé by some members of the WASP establishment she represented. She was a way for him to look more polished, and for his children to “pass” more easily. Remember the scene in GFII when the smarmy Senator, who controlled whether the Corleones would get a gaming license in Vegas, said:

“I'm going to squeeze you, Corleone, because I don't like you; I don't like the kind of man you are. I despise your masquerade, and the dishonest way you pose yourself and your f*****g family.“

75 posted on 06/07/2024 5:47:46 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (Either ‘the Deep State destroys America, or we destroy the Deep State.’ --Donald Trump)
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To: Albion Wilde

IIRC that was the only time the F-word was used in the Godfather movies.


76 posted on 06/07/2024 5:49:30 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: dfwgator

Did not appear in Part I at all. Did appear that one time in Part II. But the f-bomb was dropped quite a few times in Part III. Do a “Find” search:

http://www.thegodfathertrilogy.com/gf3/transcript/gf3transcript.html


77 posted on 06/07/2024 6:14:53 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (Either ‘the Deep State destroys America, or we destroy the Deep State.’ --Donald Trump)
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To: Albion Wilde

LOL, III doesn’t count.


78 posted on 06/07/2024 6:38:42 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: dfwgator

Disagree. In spite of its flaws, it finished the story of a man’s utter failure and search for redemption.


79 posted on 06/07/2024 8:40:25 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (Either ‘the Deep State destroys America, or we destroy the Deep State.’ --Donald Trump)
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To: Albion Wilde
it finished the story of a man’s utter failure and search for redemption.

Not just Michael, but Vito, too. Vito started this whole thing because he was made unable to provide well for his family. In searching for control, he had to control his children, and unintentionally put Michael in a position where he HAD to take over. Vito's oath on his grandchildren, even if Michael was the one who executed the plan that broke the peace, set in motion the chain of events that led to Mary's death, and also the unnamed Corleone son #2. Vito died before it all played out, but wherever he wound up, perhaps he saw the consequences of wanting to be the puppetmaster.
80 posted on 06/07/2024 9:38:21 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana (Stormy Daniels is a McGuffin)
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