Nick Geraci
Encyclopedia
Fausto Dominic 'Nick' Geraci Jr. is a central character in the Mark Winegardner
novels The Godfather Returns
and The Godfather's Revenge
. He is a caporegime
in the Corleone crime family
, but later betrays the family, and becomes a sworn enemy to Don Michael Corleone
.
. His father, Fausto Geraci Sr., was a driver for Don Vincent Forlenza
, who also served as his Godfather and became his trusted friend. Geraci has an uneasy relationship with his father, who sees him as selfish and ungrateful and resents that his son anglicized the Geraci family name, pronouncing it Jer-ay-cee instead of the original Jair-ah-chee.
Geraci becomes a boxer in his teens, eventually becoming a heavyweight champion under the moniker "Ace Geraci". He is introduced to Salvatore Tessio
through his contacts in Cleveland, and becomes part of his regime. He participates in fixed fights for Tessio's sports fixing ring, and works as an enforcer while he rose through the ranks.
After Michael Corleone discovers Tessio's treachery against the Corleone family, he orders Geraci to kill his mentor to prove his loyalty. Geraci is then unofficially placed in charge of Tessio's regime, and is tapped to become the Corleone family Don after Michael retires.
Geraci's true position is made clear when he flies a plane carrying Frank Falcone and Tony Molinari
, the Dons of Los Angeles
and San Francisco, respectively. The plane crashes into a lake, killing the Dons, but leaving Geraci alive.
Following his recuperation, Geraci learns that Michael had sabotaged the plane as part of an elaborate plan to weaken the Chicago
and Cleveland crime families. Geraci swears revenge against Michael, staying quiet until he can hatch a plan to defeat his nemesis. To this end, he befriends Michael's brother Fredo
and manipulates him into giving Corleone nemesis Hyman Roth
information later used in an attempt on Michael's life (as originally portrayed in The Godfather Part II
).
Acting as a loyal Corleone, Geraci is placed in charge of the intended assassination of Fidel Castro
, which ultimately fails. However, he learns from a CIA contact that the assassination was intended to fail, and Geraci intended to take the fall. Geraci goes into hiding upon realizing that Michael Corleone still wants him dead.
In The Godfather's Revenge, Geraci continues to elude Michael by constantly changing hideouts, orchestrating a smear campaign against Michael and Tom Hagen
. He kills Hagen himself in Florida
, and attempts to use a Commission
vote to force Michael into retirement, leaving the Corleone family operations in his hands. His plan fails, however, as he is ambushed and killed by his old friend Eddie Paradise
, Michael Corleone's new caporegime. The book he wrote, Fausto's Bargain, detailing his criminal life and life on the run, is later published and becomes a best seller.
Mark Winegardner
Mark Winegardner is an American writer born and raised in Bryan, Ohio. His novels include The Godfather Returns, Crooked River Burning, and The Veracruz Blues. He published a collection of short stories, That's True of Everybody, in 2002. His newest novel, The Godfather's Revenge, was published...
novels The Godfather Returns
The Godfather Returns
The Godfather Returns is a novel written by author Mark Winegardner, published in 2004. It is the sequel to Mario Puzo's The Godfather, which was originally published in 1969, and The Sicilian...
and The Godfather's Revenge
The Godfather's Revenge
The Godfather's Revenge, a 2006 novel written by author Mark Winegardner, is the sequel to The Godfather, The Sicilian, and The Godfather Returns. The story takes place from 1963–1964, and picks up the story from where The Godfather Returns left off...
. He is a caporegime
Caporegime
A caporegime or capodecina, usually shortened to just a capo, is a term used in the Mafia for a high ranking made member of a crime family who heads a "crew" of soldiers and has major social status and influence in the organization...
in the Corleone crime family
Corleone family
The Corleone family is a fictional Sicilian Mafia family settled in New York City. The family was created by Mario Puzo and appears in his 1969 novel The Godfather, as well as the acclaimed film trilogy of the same name directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The family was founded by Vito Corleone , who...
, but later betrays the family, and becomes a sworn enemy to Don Michael Corleone
Michael Corleone
Michael Corleone is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novels, The Godfather and The Sicilian. He is also the main character of the Godfather film trilogy that was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, in which he was portrayed by Al Pacino, who was twice nominated for an Academy Award for his...
.
Biography
The Godfather Returns establishes Geraci's backstory. He was born in Cleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. His father, Fausto Geraci Sr., was a driver for Don Vincent Forlenza
Vincent Forlenza
Vincent "The Jew" Forlenza is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and Mark Winegardner's sequel The Godfather Returns.-In The Godfather:...
, who also served as his Godfather and became his trusted friend. Geraci has an uneasy relationship with his father, who sees him as selfish and ungrateful and resents that his son anglicized the Geraci family name, pronouncing it Jer-ay-cee instead of the original Jair-ah-chee.
Geraci becomes a boxer in his teens, eventually becoming a heavyweight champion under the moniker "Ace Geraci". He is introduced to Salvatore Tessio
Salvatore Tessio
Salvatore "Sal" Tessio is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and the film based on it. In the film, Tessio was portrayed by Abe Vigoda. In the sequel, Vigoda reprised the role in a flashback, set in late 1941, at the end of the film...
through his contacts in Cleveland, and becomes part of his regime. He participates in fixed fights for Tessio's sports fixing ring, and works as an enforcer while he rose through the ranks.
After Michael Corleone discovers Tessio's treachery against the Corleone family, he orders Geraci to kill his mentor to prove his loyalty. Geraci is then unofficially placed in charge of Tessio's regime, and is tapped to become the Corleone family Don after Michael retires.
Geraci's true position is made clear when he flies a plane carrying Frank Falcone and Tony Molinari
Tony Molinari
Anthony 'Tony' Molinari is a fictional character in the novels The Godfather and The Godfather Returns.Molinari is the head of the Molinari family, and is allied with the Corleone family during the Five Families war depicted in the first novel...
, the Dons of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and San Francisco, respectively. The plane crashes into a lake, killing the Dons, but leaving Geraci alive.
Following his recuperation, Geraci learns that Michael had sabotaged the plane as part of an elaborate plan to weaken the Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and Cleveland crime families. Geraci swears revenge against Michael, staying quiet until he can hatch a plan to defeat his nemesis. To this end, he befriends Michael's brother Fredo
Fredo Corleone
Frederico "Fredo" Corleone is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather. In the fictional universe of the novel and its film adaptation, he is the second son of Vito Corleone , head of a powerful Mafia family...
and manipulates him into giving Corleone nemesis Hyman Roth
Hyman Roth
Hyman Roth is a fictional character, and the primary antagonist in The Godfather Part II, played by the actor and acting teacher Lee Strasberg, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the role...
information later used in an attempt on Michael's life (as originally portrayed in The Godfather Part II
The Godfather Part II
The Godfather Part II is a 1974 American gangster film directed by Francis Ford Coppola from a script co-written with Mario Puzo. The film is both a sequel and a prequel to The Godfather, chronicling the story of the Corleone family following the events of the first film while also depicting the...
).
Acting as a loyal Corleone, Geraci is placed in charge of the intended assassination of Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
, which ultimately fails. However, he learns from a CIA contact that the assassination was intended to fail, and Geraci intended to take the fall. Geraci goes into hiding upon realizing that Michael Corleone still wants him dead.
In The Godfather's Revenge, Geraci continues to elude Michael by constantly changing hideouts, orchestrating a smear campaign against Michael and Tom Hagen
Tom Hagen
Thomas "Tom" Feargal Hagen is a fictional character in the Godfather books and films. He was portrayed by Robert Duvall in the films. He is the informally adopted son of Don Vito Corleone and serves as the family lawyer and consigliere . Mild-mannered and soft-spoken, he often serves as a voice of...
. He kills Hagen himself in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, and attempts to use a Commission
The Commission (mafia)
The Commission is the governing body of the American Mafia. Formed in 1931, the Commission replaced the "Boss of all Bosses" title, with a ruling committee, consisting of the New York Five Families bosses and the boss of the Chicago Outfit...
vote to force Michael into retirement, leaving the Corleone family operations in his hands. His plan fails, however, as he is ambushed and killed by his old friend Eddie Paradise
Eddie Paradise
Edward 'Eddie' Paradise is a fictional character in the novels The Godfather Returns and The Godfather's Revenge.He is a Sicilian gangster and Soldato in the Corleone crime family under Nick Geraci....
, Michael Corleone's new caporegime. The book he wrote, Fausto's Bargain, detailing his criminal life and life on the run, is later published and becomes a best seller.