Tall and solidly built, this Italian-American professional wrestler turned actor was born Lenny Passaforo in Brooklyn, New York, and is best remembered for his first on-screen role as the not too bright but ever loyal bodyguard Luca Brasi in The Godfather (1972). Montana didn't get a lot of screen time before being eliminated by the henchmen of opposing gangster Al Lettieri with a garrote and a knife; however, he caught the eye of casting agents and over the next ten years racked up roles in 16 movies. Usually cast as "muscle for hire", he was equally good at playing the intimidating thug or a buffoonish hoodlum, such as in The Big Brawl (1980) and The Jerk (1979). His last film appearance was in the B-thriller Blood Song (1982), which he also co-wrote. He died in May 1992 of a heart attack while in Italy.

Professional wrestler (as Lenny 'Bull' Montana) in 1950s and 1960s.Wrestled professionally under such colorful names as "The Zebra Kid" and "Chief Chickawicki" before turning to acting.Father of Lenny Montana Jr.According to British documentary "The Godfather & The Mob" Lenny Montana is described as a former mob hitman & bodyguard who wanted to become an actor. His first on-screen appearance was as Don Corleone's henchman Luca Brasi in "The Godfather"Former NWA Texas Tag Team Champion.