Originally posted by Peter_Clemenza:
The idea for Sonny Corleone was based on Sonny Capone, Al Capone's son.
?? Sonny Capone was never in the rackets. He married in 1940, settled in Miami, and had four kids. According to John Kobler, the only crime Sonny was ever arrested for was shoplifting. Carmine Persico is a better bet. James Caan was given permission to hang out with Joe Columbo and his top people during GF filming, and Persico was one of them.
