Vito Corleone is a fictional character from Mario Puzo's novel "The Godfather," published in 1969. He is the head of the Corleone crime family and is known for his wisdom, power, and influence in the world of organized crime. Vito is often referred to as "The Godfather" and is characterized by his strong sense of family loyalty and traditional values. In the story, Vito Corleone navigates the complexities of the criminal underworld while maintaining a façade of respectability. His character is famously portrayed by Marlon Brando in the 1972 film adaptation directed by Francis Ford Coppola, which has become a classic in cinema history.