Joseph Calleia

Birth Name:

Giuseppe Maria Spurrin-Calleja

Birth Place:

Saqqajja Square, Rabat, Malta

Profession

Actor, Writer, Soundtrack

The Maltese government issued two commemorative stamps in his honor in 1997
Studied at St․ Julian's and St․ Aloysius colleges in Malta
Was married to Eleonore Vassallo from 1929 until her death in 1968
As a teenager, performed at cafés and music halls throughout Europe with a harmonica band
Decided to pursue a career as an actor after moving to New York City and made his first on-screen appearance in the 1931 film "My Sin․"
Known for portraying villainous characters in westerns and gangster films
Was offered the part of Don Vito Corleone in "The Godfather" by director Francis Ford Coppola

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