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Don Novello

Don Novello

Actor and writer · Born January 1, 1943 (83) · Ashtabula, Ohio, USA

Donald "Don" Novello (born January 1, 1943) is an American writer, film director, producer, actor, singer and comedian. He is best known for his work on NBC's Saturday Night Live from 1978 until 1980, and again in 1985–86, often as the character Father Guido Sarducci. He appeared as Sarducci in the video of Rodney Dangerfield's "Rappin' Rodney", and on many subsequent television shows, including Married... with Children, Blossom, It's Garry Shandling's Show, Unhappily Ever After, Square Pegs and The Colbert Report.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 1, 1943 (83)
From
Ashtabula, Ohio, USA
Works as
Actor and writer
Titles
24 on MovieCove · 45 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 19% in 30 days

What are Don Novello's films like?

Across their 10 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 28th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
36%
Bonds
23%
Power
12%
Ideas
10%
Morality
9%
Society
7%
Survival
3%
Identity4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 10 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 2 · Wry 1 · Earnest 7

Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 6 · Serious 4 · Dark 0

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 3 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 5 · Intense 1

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 8 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 8 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 3 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 3
Trickster
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
5
Thrilling
3
Warm
3
Romantic
3
Tense
3
Other
11

How their films linger

Bittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet3
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Don Novello's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 17 of their 24 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Don Novello's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

45 credits, 24 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Palo Alto(2013)

    as Mr. Wilson

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Twixt(2011)

    as Melvin

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Father Guido Sarducci

  • Factory Girl(2006)

    as Mort Silvers

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Rent Control(2003)

    as Rico

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Atlantis: Milo's Return(2003)

    as Vinny (voice)

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Bill Does Vegas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Atlantis: The Lost Empire(2001)

    as Vinny (voice)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Just One Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Italian Drifter

  • The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle(2000)

    as Fruit Vendor Twins

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Just the Ticket(1998)

    as Tony

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Touch(1997)

    as Father Navaroli

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Jack(1996)

    as Bartender

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Ho Ho Nooooooo!!! It's Mr. Bill's Christmas Special! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Father Sarducci

  • One Night Stand(1995)

    as Warren Miller

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Casper(1995)

    as Father Guido Sarducci

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Unhappily Ever After (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Guido Sarducci · as Guy Macaroon

  • Late Night with Conan O'Brien (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Guido Sarducci · as Self - Guest

  • Teenage Bonnie and Klepto Clyde(1993)

    as Sanchez

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • La Pastorela: The Shepherd's Tale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Father Guido Sarducci

  • The Godfather Part III(1990)

    as Dominic Abbandando

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Spirit of '76(1990)

    as Translator

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Blossom(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Father Guido Sarducci

  • New York Stories(1989)

    as Hector

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Joan Rivers and Friends Salute Heidi Abromowitz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Father Guido Sarducci

  • Tucker: The Man and His Dream(1988)

    as Stan

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Guido Sarducci

  • Married... with Children(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Guido Sarducci

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Father Guido Sarducci's Vatican Inquirer: The Pope's Tour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Producer · Writer · as Father Guido Sarducci

  • It's Garry Shandling's Show.(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Guido Sarducci

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Head Office(1985)

    as Sal

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Father Guido Sarducci Goes to College (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Father Guido Sarducci

  • Pinocchio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Faerie Tale Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Narrator (voice)

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Guido Sarducci

  • Become an Artist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Director · as Guido Sarducci

  • Fridays(1980)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Guido Sarducci

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Gilda Live(1980)

    Writer · as Father Guido Sarducci

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Things We Did Last Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Writer

  • Van Dyke and Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 12 episodes · Writer

  • Saturday Night Live(1975)

    Show 73 episodes · Writer · as Abdul Asad · as Assistant (uncredited) · as Carmine (uncredited) · as Detective · as Father Guido Sarducci · as Father Guido Sarducci - Co-Host · as Father Guido Sarducci - Host · as Father Guido Sarducci (uncredited) · as Gianni Tucci · as Mike (uncredited) · as Mike / Patron (uncredited) · as Pope Maurice / Mr. X · as Self - Various Characters · as Traveler (uncredited) · as Various (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Smothers Brothers Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Guido Sarducci

  • Life with Video (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Man on Television

  • Julia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 45 titles from 1968 to 2014; peak year 2002.

Biggest box office

Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

$186M worldwide

Highest rated

Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

Midcredits 82nd

Film career

19682014

Peak 2002 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting43 of 45: 39 only acting, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score48thDirecting1 of 45: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting5 of 45: 2 only writing, 3 with another roleProducing1 of 45: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

45 titles, 4 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1960s1 · acting1970s5 · 3 acting · 3 crew1980s16 · 16 acting · 3 crew1990s13 · acting2000s7 · acting2010s3 · acting

Billing

usually 13th · top billed in 0% of 14 roles
8500

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Don Novello's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 38th percentile, the median of all 19; across their 10 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 34th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

34thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Approval · how many liked their films

26thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Reach · how many have seen their films

64thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Midcredits score across 24 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up4
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

10 of their 24 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser10
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed9

Most divisive · actor

Rent Control (2003)

75th percentile spread · 62% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Godfather Part III (1990)

Midcredits 91st · 82% liked

Reviewers score the acting 63/100 in their films, across 9 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 41. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Don Novello's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 18 · mildMedian of all films: 32
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 52 · moderateMedian of all films: 33

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Don Novello work with?

People who share at least 2 of Don Novello's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Francis Ford Coppola shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers

Producers

Mixed roles