You Can Die Like a Man

Al Martino, favorite performer of the Corleone family, has died at the age of 82. The singer produced a number of hits from the 1950s through the 1970s, but is remembered today largely for his portrayal of Johnny Fontane, the simpering singer/aspiring actor, whose blubbering about not getting a role in a war movie at Connie’s wedding earns a stern rebuke from the Godfather, who commanded, “you can act like a man.” The scene was reminiscent of his singing career, when he recorded “Here in My Heart,” then begged his childhood friend Mario Lanza not to record the same song, fearing it would overshadow his debut album.