Tremendous forces came together during the production of “The Godfather,” helmed by producer Albert S. Ruddy for Paramount, back when Robert Evans was head honcho under owner Charles Bluhdorn. As if the pressure from the Paramount executives, especially Barry Lapidus weren’t enough, Ruddy also had the particular tastes of Francis Ford Coppola to appease in order to keep him on board the project and to expedite the writing process of the book’s author Mario Puzo.
Add in threats mobsters like Joe Colombo, as well as very specific casting choices, and Ruddy definitely had his hands full. It was worth it in the end: “The Godfather” is one of the best movies ever made. But the process of getting it made is the focus of the new Paramount+ limited series “The Offer.”
With so many familiar faces getting the fictionalized treatment, we’ve put together a rundown of who plays who in our handy cast and character guide.
Alfred S. Ruddy (Miles Teller)
Alfred Ruddy, who studied chemical engineering in college, was working for the Rand Corporation when he decided to switch gears and get into entertainment. Miles Teller portrays the Canadian producer, boldly walking up to Paramount’s Robert Evans on the lot after meeting him at a party to pitch himself as a producer. One of Ruddy’s first big projects was “The Godfather,” and Teller runs around on screen doing everything he possibly can to make the film a reality. Miles Teller has previously starred in the “Divergent” films, “Whiplash” (2014) and “The Spectacular Now” (2013).
Robert Evans (Matthew Goode)
Robert Evans’ time at Paramount as a producer and then chief tested him, but his support of “The Godfather” played a huge part in resurrecting the failing studio. Evans served as the link between Ruddy and Paramount’s owner Charles Bluhdorn, often interceding on behalf of the creative choices for the film when financial figures or higher ups tried to shoot it down. Goode has most recently starred in “A Discovery of Witches” (2018-2022) “The King’s Man” (2021) and “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” (2018). The English actor is also known for his roles in the final season of “Downton Abbey,” “The Imitation Game” (2014), “Stoker” (2013), “Leap Year” (2010), “A Single Man” (2009), “Match Point” (2005) and “Chasing Liberty” (2004).
Betty McCart (Juno Temple)
McCart approaches Ruddy very similarly to how he approached Evans in the show. Her tenacity and knack for keeping a pulse on celebrities and the overall entertainment industry makes her a huge asset to Ruddy. Juno Temple broke into acting with “Notes on a Scandal” with a role as Cate Blanchett’s daughter, followed by her performance as Lola in “Atonement” (2007). More recently, she has starred in both “Maleficent” films as Thistlewit, and she also brings Keeley Jones to life in Apple TV+’s successful series “Ted Lesso.”
Joe Colombo (Giovanni Ribisi)
Ribisi plays big boss Joe Colombo, who leads the movement in destroying any chance Ruddy has at making “The Godfather.” Ribisi broke into the industry with a role in the show “Highway to Heaven,” and he landed a big role as Frank Buffay Jr., Phoebe’s half brother, in “Friends.” Ribisi is also known for “That Thing You Do!” (1996), “Saving Private Ryan” (1998), “Avatar” (2009), and “Ted” (2012) and “Ted 2” (2013).
Francis Ford Coppola (Dan Fogler)
Coppola gets recruited to write the script as well as direct “The Godfather,” collaborating with the book’s author Mario Puzo. Coppola and Puzo won an Oscar for their adapted screenplay, and the film also won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Fogler has had roles in “Balls of Fury” (2007), “Good Luck Chuck” (2007), “Fanboys” (2009) and “Take Me Home Tonight” (2011). He is most well known for playing Jacob Kowalski in the “Fantastic Beasts” movies.
Charles Bluhdorn (Burn Gorman)
Bluhdorn owned Paramount at the time Ruddy came onboard and started working on “The Godfather.” He looms over everyone, including Evans, as his boss, because he wants to churn a profit, but Paramount is close to last place in the market. Gorman is known for “The Dark Knight Rises” (2012), “Pacific Rim” (2013) and the role of Karl Tanner in “Game of Thrones.” Recently he has appeared in the TV shows “Expanse” and “Halo.” He is also set to appear in Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio” later this year.
Barry Lapidus (Colin Hanks)
Lapidus is an uptight Gulf+Western executive who constantly interferes in the process of the making of “The Godfather.” He brings his numbers cronie around to make sure the budget stays low, which challenges Coppola’s creative process. Colin Hanks, son of Tom Hanks, is known for his roles as Alex Whitman in “Roswell” (1999) and Jack Bailey in the series, “The Good Guys” (2010). He also starred in the film “Orange County” (2002). Other TV roles include “Dexter,” “Bad Teacher,” “Fargo” and “American Crime Story.”
Mario Puzo (Patrick Gallo)
Short film director and editor Patrick Gallo portrays “The Godfather” offer Mario Puzo, who finds himself in a tough spot and writes the script under pressure. Puzo has diabetes, and his wife constantly monitors what he eats, making Ruddy promise to do so when he hires Puzo to adapt the script. Gallo starred in Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman.”
Peter Bart (Josh Zuckerman)
Bart was Paramount’s vice president of production when the rights to Puzo’s novel were obtained. He accompanies Evans around, often weighing in on his feedback to certain ideas. He also has journalism background. Zuckerman is an actor and writer known for “Austin Powers in Goldmember” (2002), “Feast (2005), and “Sex Drive” (2008) and the TV series “Kyle XY.”
Francoise Glazer (Nora Arnezeder)
Ruddy meets Francoise at the same party where he first becomes aware of Robert Evans. He and Francoise soon begin dating, and their relationship goes steady until he starts getting cornered by mobsters and refuses to tell her exactly what happens. Arnezeder has acted in series like “Xanadu,” “Zoo,” “Mozart in the Jungle,” “Origin” and “Riviera.” In 2012, Nora Arnezeder appeared in the film “Safe House” with Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington.
Frank Sinatra (Frank John Hughes)
Hughes portrays an angry Frank Sinatra who wants nothing to do with mafia associations. Hughes made his feature film debut in “True Convictions.” He has also appeared in “Mr. Vincent” (1997) “Bad Boys” (1995) opposite Will Smith, Steven Spielberg’s “Catch Me If You Can” (2002) opposite Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio and “Righteous Kill” (2008) opposite Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. Popular television appearances include “Band of Brothers” and “The Sopranos.”
Marlon Brando (Justin Chambers)
Brando was Puzo’s selection for the role of Don Vito Corleone. A prominent actor of his time, he refused the Oscar he won for his role in the film, instead choosing to protest how Native Americans were being misrepresented in Hollywood. Chambers is most well-known for his role as Dr. Alex Karev in “Grey’s Anatomy.” Other roles include “Rose Hill” (1997), “The Wedding Planner” (2001), “Hysterical Blindness” (2002) and “The Zodiac” (2005).
Congressman Mario Biaggi (Danny Nucci)
Mario Biaggi was a well-known Congressman in New York,who tries to prevent Ruddy from shooting the film there in “The Offer.” Nucci is known for roles in “Titanic” (1997), “Alive” (1993) Crimson Tide” (1995) and “The Rock” (1996). He has also had some television roles, including one in “The Fosters.”
Al Pacino (Anthony Ippolito)
Anthony Ippolito strikingly resembles a young Al Pacino, who was cast as Michael Corleone in “The Godfather.” Ippolito has appeared in films like “You Have the Right to Remain Violent” (2010), “Fool’s Day” (2013), “Pixels” (2015). He also appeared in the show “Grand Army” (2020).
‘Crazy’ Joe Gallo (Joseph Russo)
Joe Gallo gets out of jail halfway throught he series. He is bad news for Joe Colombo and the rest of his circle. Russo’s roles include “Jersey Boys” (2014), “It’s You Not Me” (2013-2014) and “The Irishman” (2019).
