Richard James Bright (June 28, 1937 – February 18, 2006) was an American actor best known for his role as Al Neri in the The Godfather films.
Bright was born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York, the son of British immigrants Matilda (née Scott) and Ernest Bright, who was a shipbuilder.
Bright began his career doing live television in Manhattan, at the age of 18, and made his film debut in Robert Wise's Odds Against Tomorrow (1959) He also worked on ...
More
Richard James Bright (June 28, 1937 – February 18, 2006) was an American actor best known for his role as Al Neri in the The Godfather films.
Bright was born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York, the son of British immigrants Matilda (née Scott) and Ernest Bright, who was a shipbuilder.
Bright began his career doing live television in Manhattan, at the age of 18, and made his film debut in Robert Wise's Odds Against Tomorrow (1959) He also worked on several movies early in his career with his friend, Sam Peckinpah.
In 1965, Bright starred in poet Michael McClure's two-person show, The Beard, performing in London, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, where, upon closing every night, he and his female co-star Billie Dixon were arrested for uttering obscenities and simulating sexual acts. The ACLU represented Bright, citing First Amendment rights to freedom of speech. In the end, the charges against Bright were dismissed; the case was considered important for free speech in general and...
Less
