'The Godfather' actor Anthony Guidera dead at 65 following medical emergency

News of Guidera's death was shared by his wife and reportedly the actor passed away on June 6

Anthony Guidera, the actor known for his roles in The Godfather Part III, Species and Armageddon, has died at the age of 65 following a sudden medical emergency.

News of Guidera's death was confirmed by his wife, Valarie, who revealed that the actor collapsed at the couple's Southern California home on 11 May after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was subsequently hospitalised and placed on life support, where he remained for three weeks before being taken off support in accordance with his previously stated wishes. He died on 6 June. Doctors have reportedly been unable to determine the cause of the cardiac arrest.

Guidera began his screen career in 1990 with a role as a bodyguard in The Godfather Part III, the final instalment of Francis Ford Coppola's acclaimed crime trilogy starring Al Pacino. The appearance launched a film career that would span more than a decade and include roles in several major Hollywood productions.

He later appeared in the 1995 science-fiction thriller Species, where he portrayed Robbie. The film became one of the most notable entries on his résumé and earned him an MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss alongside co-star Natasha Henstridge. The unusual win became one of the actor's most memorable career achievements.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Guidera built a steady career as a character actor, appearing in films including The Rock and Armageddon. He also made guest appearances in television productions and continued working in the entertainment industry until his final screen role in 2005's L.A. Dicks.

Outside of acting, Guidera was involved with the spiritual organisation Astara in California, where he volunteered alongside his wife and was known to members of the community as "Reverend Anthony". Friends and family remembered him as a devoted husband, father and mentor whose influence extended beyond his work on screen.

Following news of his death, tributes began appearing online from friends and loved ones. In a statement shared by his family, Guidera was remembered as a beloved figure whose sudden passing had left those closest to him devastated. He is survived by his wife, Valarie, and their son, Nick.

While he never became a household name, Guidera's appearances in several iconic films of the 1990s ensured that he remained a familiar face to moviegoers. His performances in The Godfather Part III, Species and other Hollywood productions continue to form part of a career that spanned some of the decade's most memorable blockbusters.