Francis Ford Coppola, the real Godfather of Hollywood, is being honored tonight by the American Film Institute, and it’s about time.
The Oscar winning director of “The Godfather,” “The Godfather Part 2,” “Apocalypse Now,” changed films forever for the much better as leader of the 70s sort of Rat Pack of movies.
On the red carpet tonight: Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Spike Lee, Antoine Fuqua, Dustin Hoffman, plus Adam Driver, Andy Garcia, Jack Black, Elle Fanning, Joe Mantegna, all great stars.
Top execs present including Sir Howard Stringer, and Sony Classic president Michael Barker.
Strangest celebrity on the red carpet: Suzan Hughes, first wife of later Herbalife creator Mark Hughes. Don’t know what’s up there.
Al Pacino — who just had a star studded 85th birthday — and Robert De Niro tag teamed their tribute on stage.
Missing: Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Adrien Brody, Kathleen Turner, and Nicolas Cage (who’s a Coppola).
Plenty of Coppola’s, though, including son Roman, producer of Wes Anderson movies, and granddaugher Gia, director of “The Last Showgirl.”
Sofia Coppola? MIA.
James Caan would have been there if he could, believe me!
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American Zoetrope co-founders #FrancisFordCoppola and #GeorgeLucas reunite on the red carpet! #AFLife @canva pic.twitter.com/Et3o1nhJ31
— AFI (@AmericanFilm) April 27, 2025
