Richard Bright

Richard James Bright (June 28, 1937 – February 18, 2006) was an American actor, known for his role as Al Neri in the Godfather films. Early life Bright was born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York City, the son of Matilda (née Scott) and Ernest Bright, who was a shipbuilder. Career 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 first in San Francisco and later in Los Angeles, New York City, and London. The play involved simulated sex acts. Bright, the producer Robert Barrow and director Robert Gist were arrested in San Francisco and Los Angeles multiple times on charges of lewdness, before winning a restraining order halting the arrests. In granting the restraining order, the California Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment protected live theatrical performances.