- In director Francis Ford Coppola's commentary for The Godfather (1972) he said that Al Lettieri's performance helped bring out the performance by newcomer Al Pacino, quoting the adage that a great villain helps make a great hero. Coppola also said that Lettieri being able to speak fluent Sicilian added to the character during the restaurant scene.
- The only actor credited as starring in The Godfather (1972) who's name is not on the poster.
- In his two most remembered roles, The Godfather (1972) and The Getaway (1972), he played a bad guy (a drug dealer in "The Godfather" and a bank robber in "The Getaway").
- Francis Ford Coppola said that Al was the only actor besides John Wayne who was completely barrel-chested.
- Died at St. Vincent Hospital in New York.
- He appeared in two movies with Marlon Brando: The Night of the Following Day (1969) and The Godfather (1972).
- Years after his passing, court documents from a dispute over his life insurance policy revealed that Lettieri had a history of heroin addiction and severe alcoholism.
- His sister was married to Pasquale Eboli, the brother of Genovese crime family boss Thomas Eboli.
- Besides acting, he wrote the story and screenplay for the 1971 British gangster film Villain (1971) with Richard Burton.
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