Tessio in 'The Godfather' is a character played by Sal Vigoda. He is a longtime friend and associate of Don Vito Corleone, the head of the Corleone crime family. Tessio is a loyal and trusted member of the Corleone family, but he ultimately betrays them when he attempts to arrange for the assassination of Michael Corleone, the Don's son. His betrayal leads to his own death at the hands of the Corleones.