Virgil "The Turk" Sollozzo is a fictional character from The Godfather and appears in both the book and the first film. In the book it is said that he is called The Turk because he has a nose like a Turkish scimitar and also because he does much of his business (growing poppy) in Turkey. In the movie, he is referenced by Tom Hagen as being "very good with a knife". He played by Al Lettieri in The Godfather film.

Sollozzo arrives in New York and enlists the aid of the Tattaglia Family for his new heroin business. He then goes to the Corleone Family to obtain money and protection from the police and courts. Family head Vito Corleone, however, feels that the drug business is bad for the neighborhoods and too dangerous for the Corleones. Don Corleone refuses to help Sollozzo.

Sollozzo's men then attempt to murder Vito Corleone, figuring that oldest son Sonny Corleone, who seemed to be for the heroin trade, would take over the family. When they only succeed in wounding him, Sollozzo sends agents to the hospital. Because of his friendship with a corrupt police captain, all guards at the hospital are taken off duty. Vito's son Michael, however, arrives on the scene and once again prevents Vito's murder.

Soon thereafter, Sollozzo, under the protection of the police captain, meets with Michael in a restaurant. Though Michael is frisked before the meeting, a gun has been planted in the lavatory of the restaurant. Michael excuses himself to the bathroom, returns, and kills Sollozzo and the captain.

The Godfather characters