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John Cazale might not be a widely recognized name, but if you're a fan of 1970s cinema, you’ve likely seen the sensitive Italian-American actor in a handful of unforgettable roles, including his portrayal of the ill-fated Fredo Corleone in The Godfather. Despite his life being tragically cut short by bone cancer at the age of 42, Cazale's short-lived Hollywood career left behind a remarkable legacy in film. Here are five things you may not have known about him:
1. He Was a Perfect 10 With the Academy
Image Credit: Getty Images
Although Cazale never received an Oscar nomination himself, his films were highly regarded by the Academy. Every movie he appeared in earned a nomination for Best Picture. Three of them—The Godfather, The Godfather: Part II, and The Deer Hunter—won the prestigious award. The other two films he starred in during his lifetime, The Conversation and Dog Day Afternoon, were nominated but didn't win. The most surprising part? Even after Cazale's death in 1978, his Fredo Corleone role in The Godfather: Part III—which used archival footage—earned the film a Best Picture nomination.
2. Cazale and Al Pacino Once Worked in the Oil Industry Together
Cazale first honed his acting skills at Oberlin College before transferring to Boston University, where he studied under Olympia Dukakis. Finding acting jobs difficult to land, Cazale took up a messenger job at Standard Oil. It was here that he met Al Pacino, another aspiring actor. The two became close friends and even shared a home together.
However, their time in the oil business was short-lived. In 1968, both actors found success on stage in Israel Horovitz’s one-act play The Indian Wants the Bronx, which was a hit with critics. Pacino won an Obie Award for Best Actor, while Cazale took home the Obie for Best Supporting Actor.
Their partnership didn’t stop there. It's believed that Cazale auditioned for his role in The Godfather at Pacino’s urging. The memorable "I know it was you" scene between Cazale’s Fredo and Pacino’s Michael is a fan-favorite, but their chemistry could have been even more compelling in Dog Day Afternoon. In this darkly comic film about a real-life bank robbery, Pacino fought to get Cazale an audition. Cazale’s portrayal of Sal, a nervous and sad-eyed accomplice, perfectly complemented Pacino’s chaotic, hyperactive Sonny. If you haven’t seen Dog Day Afternoon, it’s a must-watch—it’s one of the most engaging films you’ll ever experience.
3. He Was a Master of Ad-Libbing
One of Cazale's standout moments in Dog Day Afternoon came from his impromptu line during a discussion with Pacino's character, Sonny, about the details of their escape plan. Rather than spoil the line, here’s a not-so-perfect YouTube clip showcasing Cazale's spontaneous reply when Pacino asks if there’s a particular country he’d like to visit:
4. Love Found Him Late, but Strong
Even though Cazale had already gained fame as Fredo Corleone by 1976, he continued performing in theater. That summer, he starred in a New York Shakespeare Festival production of Measure for Measure. At 40, Cazale was captivated by the 27-year-old Yale graduate who played Isabella. Though she was relatively unknown at the time, the actress went on to become one of the most famous names in Hollywood: Meryl Streep. After the play’s debut, the two admitted their mutual feelings, and Streep moved into Cazale’s apartment. They became engaged, and had Cazale not been diagnosed with terminal bone cancer, they would likely have married. During his illness, Streep paused her career to be with him in his hospital room, trying to bring him comfort in his final days.
Their connection wasn’t limited to just their personal life—Cazale and Streep also shared a successful moment on screen. They appeared together in The Deer Hunter, a powerful Vietnam drama, though the film was released after Cazale’s passing. Streep’s portrayal of Christopher Walken’s fiancée earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination, marking the first of many Oscar nominations she would go on to receive.
5. Cazale Was a Challenge to Insure
By the time casting began for The Deer Hunter, Cazale had already been diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. Director Michael Cimino was determined to have Cazale play the role of Stanley, but the severity of his illness made the actor uninsurable, which caused hesitation from the studio. Cimino held firm, however, and reportedly, both Streep and De Niro threatened to quit if Cazale didn’t get the role. The studio eventually gave in, with Streep later speculating that De Niro had secretly arranged the insurance bond for Cazale. The cancer had so weakened Cazale that Cimino had to film all of his scenes before shooting the rest of the film.
