Al Martino (born Alfred Cini, October 7, 1927 – October 13, 2009) was an Italian American singer and actor. Allmusic journalist Steve Huey states, "Martino was one of the great Italian American pop crooners, boasting a string of hit singles and albums that stretched from the early 1950s all the way into the mid 1970s. However, he was perhaps even better known for his role in The Godfather as singer Johnny Fontane, a character supposedly based on Frank Sinatra, but with eerie similarities to Martino’s own career."
In the U.S., Martino had eleven Top 40 hits in the Billboard pop singles chart in the 1960s and 1970s, with 1963’s "I Love You Because" (#3) and 1964’s "I Love You More and More Every Day" (#9) both reaching the Top Ten. He also sang the title song for the film, Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964), and is credited in the end titles of the film.
Apart from singing, Martino played the role of Johnny Fontane in the 1972 film The Godfather, as well as singing the film’s theme, "I Have But One Heart (O Marenariello)". He played the same role in "The Godfather Part II and The Godfather Part III, as well as The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980.
Death of Al Martino
Al Martino died at his childhood home in Springfield, Pennsylvania.
Al Martino was 82 years old at the time of his death.
Al Martino – I have but one heart