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Donald "Don" Andrew Novello (born January 1, 1943) is an American actor, comedian, writer, singer, film director and producer. He was a featured player and writer, on NBC's sketch comedy and variety show Saturday Night Live for Season 5 and again in Season 11 mainly performing as the character Father Guido Sarducci from 1978 to 1980, and 1985 to 1986.

He appeared as Sarducci in television shows Married... with Children, Blossom, It's Garry Shandling's Show, Unhappily Ever After, Square Pegs, and The Colbert Report, and in the 1980 film Gilda Live. He is the voice of Vincenzo "Vinny" Santorini in the franchise of Atlantis: The Lost Empire.


Father Guido Sarducci[]

Novello is known for his character Father Guido Sarducci, who has been a regular on the Weekend Update sketch, and other sketches. Sarducci's first appearance was with Richard Dreyfus and demonstrated the audience how to pay for their sins. After which, he made later appearances on Weekend Update, usually making references to the Pope.

Examples of Sarducci's Weekend Update appearances include:

  • (Steve Martin and Blondie) Father Sarducci announces the commencement of the "Find the Popes in the Pizza" contest.
  • (Buck Henry and Tom Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) Father Sarducci reaches into a box and announces the winner of the contest.
  • (Steve Martin, 3-D, and Paul and Linda McCartney) Also in the cold opening and a later sketch, Father Sarducci is sent to London to wake up Paul McCartney for an interview. First, he tried throwing coins at his window, and then serenading him with Beatles tunes, and finally, throwing a rock at the window.

Appearances outside Weekend Update incluse

  • (Richard Dreyfus) Father Sarducci, on crutches, tells the audiences that sins are literally costly.
  • (Rodney Dangerfield) Father Sarducci, with an Italian family, comes into Dangerfield's dressing room.

Novello's arrest[]

In the late 80's, Novello was performing a photoshoot as Sarducci, but he was arrested for "impersonating a priest", along with his photographer, who gave the wrong film to the police. The charges were later dropped, and Novello was released.

SNL Career[]

  • 1978-1980; 1985-86: Writer (first episode: January 21, 1978)
  • 1979-80; 1985-86: Featured player/cast member

Gallery[]

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