Mario Puzo Biography

After serving in the US Air Force, Puzo studied at the New School for Social Research, New York, and at Columbia University. He also took classes in literature and creative writing. In 1946, he married Erika Broske, and the couple had five children.

His first published story, 'The Last Christmas', appeared in American Vanguard in 1950. Puzo's first book, 'Dark Arena', appeared in 1955.

From 1963, Puzo worked as a freelance journalist and writer. He wrote for men's magazines, and published book reviews, stories, and articles.

In 1965, he published 'Fortunate Pilgrim', which followed a family of Italian immigrants through the 20th-century. Neither of Puzo's first two books gained financial success, though both received good reviews.

Puzo’s breakthrough came, in 1969, with 'Godfather', his novel about the mafia, corruption, violence, and honour. The novel stayed on US best-seller lists for sixty-seven weeks. Puzo's book had a deep impact on American society through its film adaptation.

Director Francis Ford Coppola did not like the book at first, but the films 'Godfather' and 'Godfather Part II' received several Oscars, including best picture and best script (written by Puzo and Coppola). The films starred Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.

'Godfather III', which was not based on the original book, was written by Coppola and Puzo, but did not find the critical or commercial success of the earlier pictures.

Puzo’s later works include the thrillers 'Fools Die', 'The Fourth K', and 'Omerta', and children’s book 'The Runaway Summer of Davie Shaw'.

Puzo died from heart failure in July 1999 at his home in Long Island.