Puzo, who wrote seven other novels in addition to "The Godfather," was born in New York, the son of illiterate Italian immigrants. After serving in World War II, he began his writing career - starting out doing pulp stories for men's magazines. But his literary ambitions were much higher, and he published his first novel, "The Dark Arena," in 1955.

Puzo's next book was an autobiographical piece about the Italian immigrant experience. "The Fortunate Pilgrim," was hailed by the New York Times as "a small classic." But it sold fewer than 5,000 copies and Puzo, seeking the fame and fortune he felthe deserved as a writer, set out to write a best seller.

He succeeded. "The Godfather," which came out in 1969, covered a different immigrant experience: it focused on the Corleone Family, Italians who came to the United States and plunged into the world of organized crime. The book sold more than 21 million copies worldwide, and spawned movies that became American cinematic classics. Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro brought Puzo's characters to the screen; Puzo co-wrote the screenplays with director Francis Ford Coppola.

In 1984, he brought out another best-seller, "The Sicilian." Puzo's other books included "Fools Die," a 1978 effort on casinos; 1992's "The Fourth K," a futuristic political thriller; and "The Last Don" in 1996, a return to his favorite topic, the Mafia.

"The Last Don" became another runaway best seller and was the basis for a highly rated television mini-series. Puzo spent the last three years working on "Omerta," a book about a mob family on the brink of legitimacy."Omerta" is the mob code of silence. "It's vintage Puzo," said his editor, Jonathan Karp. "He was a virtuoso story-teller right up to the end."

Puzo is survived by his children, Anthony, Dorothy, Eugene, Virginia and Joseph; a sister, Evelyn Murphy, a brother, Anthony Cleri; his companion of 20 years, Carol Gino; and nine grandchildren.