I've had my criticisms of Puzo, too. I think he was jealous of Sinatra. The endless chapters in The Godfather on Johnny Fointaine (Sinatra) were just salty.

The Last Don can get tedious, too, but I'm pretty sure Alfred Gronevelt is based on Moe Dalitz, considering how he built a hospital in Vegas, lived in the casino hotel until his death.

Even though the Clericuzio family is based in New York, the way this Gronevelt is staked by them likens them more to Cleveland's Mayfield Road gang.

Anyhow, had this book just sitting there collecting dust. Thought I'd try to give it another read and draw the connections, but yes, it drags on about Hollywood way too much. The story line between the actress and the jealous boyfriend is like having teeth pulled, and I still don't remember how they factor into the story's ending except maybe the actress ends up hooking up with one of the younger Clericuzio. Even so, not worth the boring plot to get to that point.