Hyman Roth

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Roth's background is detailed in a deleted scene set in 1917 Little Italy, New York. Working as a car mechanic, he was noticed by a character named 'Johnny' and introduced to Vito Corleone. When asked whom he admired, Suchowsky cited Arnold Rothstein for fixing the 1919 World Series, prompting Vito to suggest he change his name from Hyman Suchowsky to Hyman Roth. Although Roth was a business associate of Moe Greene, he was not a close ally, and Greene is never referred to as the 'inventor' of Las Vegas in canon. Frank Pentangeli later revealed to Michael Corleone that while Vito grew to like and respect Roth over four decades of business, Michael explicitly tells Pentangeli that his father 'never trusted' Roth, contradicting any notion that Vito's feelings toward Roth were ambiguous.

In Their Own Story

By the timeline of The Godfather Part II, a wealthy but frail Roth operates from Miami with his right-hand man, Johnny Ola. He partners with Michael Corleone to secure a casino in Reno through deals with Fulgencio Batista and American corporations, secretly planning Michael's assassination to avenge Moe Greene. Roth instructs Ola to befriend Michael's brother Fredo, who provides critical intelligence enabling an attempt on Michael's life. On New Year's Eve 1958, Michael orders Roth killed before the New Year arrives. Bodyguard Bussetta attempts to smother Roth in his hospital bed but is killed by Cuban soldiers as Fidel Castro's army overthrows Batista, ruining both men's plans for the Capri casino and other holdings. Later, Roth manipulates Frank Pentangeli into testifying against Michael during U.S. Senate hearings by having the Rosato brothers attack him. The scheme fails when Michael brings Pentangeli's brother Vincenzo from Sicily to shame him into silence. Finally, at the Miami airport, Roth claims he intends to retire in Israel under the Law of Return, but his request is rejected by the Israeli High Court due to criminal ties. As he disembarks, Michael's caporegime Rocco Lampone poses as a reporter and fatally shoots him before being killed by federal agents.

Reader's Guide

Hyman Roth functions as an independent mobster and investor whose power stems from financial acumen rather than traditional family hierarchy. His relationship with the Corleones spans four decades, evolving from a Prohibition-era alliance to a fatal rivalry in The Godfather Part II. Key turning points include his role in establishing the molasses-smuggling route between Havana and Canada, his partnership with Michael on the Reno casino deal, and his manipulation of Frank Pentangeli during the Senate hearings. Roth's strategy relies on exploiting internal family weaknesses, specifically by recruiting Fredo Corleone via Johnny Ola to gather intelligence for an assassination attempt. His downfall is precipitated by the failure of the Batista regime in Cuba on New Year's Eve 1958 and his inability to secure asylum in Israel. He is ultimately killed at the Miami airport by Rocco Lampone, who poses as a reporter to execute Michael's order.

Did You Know?

• Al Pacino suggested Lee Strasberg for the role of Hyman Roth; Strasberg was his former acting teacher.
• In a deleted scene set in 1917, Vito Corleone suggests Suchowsky change his name to 'Hyman Roth', though the change is not explicitly stated to honor Arnold Rothstein.
• In a deleted scene, a character named 'Johnny' introduces Roth to Vito Corleone while Roth is working as a car mechanic in Little Italy.
• Roth's famous quote "We're bigger than U.S. Steel" was based on a real statement made by Meyer Lansky.
• The Israeli High Court rejected Roth's request to live in Israel under the Law of Return due to his criminal ties.