Who was Gian-Carlo Coppola? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Died At Age: 22

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Jacqui de la Fontaine (engaged)

father: Francis Ford Coppola

mother: Eleanor Neil

siblings: Roman Coppola, Sofia Coppola

children: Gia Coppola

Died Young T V & Movie Producers

Died on: May 26, 1986

place of death: Annapolis, Maryland, United States

: Speedboating Accident

Cause of Death: Accident

U.S. State: California

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Childhood & Early Life

Gian-Carlo Coppola was born on September 17, 1963, in Los Angeles, California, USA, to Francis Ford Coppola and Eleanor Jessie Neil. He was raised along with his younger siblings Roman François Coppola and Sofia Carmina Coppola.

He decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and started working closely with him on many of his projects. At the age of nine, he appeared in his father’s breakthrough film ‘The Godfather’ where he played actor Robert Duvall’s son.

When he was 11 years old, he played a minor role in Francis Ford Coppola-directed mystery thriller film ‘The Conversation.’ The film was nominated for three ‘Oscars’ at the 47th ‘Academy Awards’ and won many other prestigious awards including two ‘British Academy Film Awards’ at the 28th ‘British Film Awards.’

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Career

He started his professional filmmaking career in 1979. In the same year, he was cast to play a minor role in his father’s epic war film ‘Apocalypse Now.’ But the scene that featured him and his brother Roman did not make the cut that was premiered at the ‘Cannes Film Festival.’ However, the footage was later used in the film’s extended version ‘Apocalypse Now Redux’ which released in 2001.

Coppola worked under his father as a special assistant director in the 1982 romantic musical film ‘One from the Heart.’ In the same year, he worked as a production aide in Wim Wenders-directed mystery film ‘Hammett.’

He made his debut as an associate producer in the 1983 Francis Ford Coppola-directed drama film ‘Rumble Fish.’ He also played James in the film which was co-produced by his father. In the same year, he worked as an associate producer in the coming-of-age drama film ‘The Outsiders.’ The film, which was directed by his father, was produced by Gray Frederickson and Fred Roos.

In 1984, he worked as a second unit director in his father’s crime-drama film ‘The Cotton Club.’ He also worked in the editorial department of the film. Coppola made his directorial debut in 1986 when he directed a music video titled ‘Gio Coppola & Justin Kreutzmann: Nobody's.’ Apart from directing, he also worked as the cinematographer and edited the music video which starred Bill Kreutzmann, Jerry Cortez, and David Margen.

Before his death, director Carole Penny Marshall had hired him to work as part of the second unit for her spy action comedy film ‘Jumpin' Jack Flash’ which released in 1986. Though it was not officially announced, Coppola was expected to work as an intern in Steven Spielberg’s television series ‘Amazing Stories.’

Death

On May 26, 1986, Coppola and his friend Griffin Patrick O'Neal decided to take a break while working in Francis Ford Coppola’s drama film ‘Gardens of Stone.’ They hired a motorboat on the South River near Annapolis and took the boat for a spin. Three hours after renting the boat, Coppola met with a freak accident which proved fatal.

The accident took place when Griffin Patrick O'Neal, who was piloting the boat, attempted to pass between two other boats. Unfortunately, O'Neal and Coppola did not realize that the boats were connected by a towline.

While O'Neal escaped with a minor shoulder injury, Coppola was struck in his head and was taken to ‘Anne Arundel General Hospital.’ He was pronounced dead at the hospital and the autopsy report indicated excessive blood alcohol content.

O'Neal pleaded guilty to negligent operation of a boat. In 1987, he was sentenced to 18 months in probation and was also fined $200. He later served a jail term of 18 days for failing to perform 400 hours of community service.

Family & Personal Life

Gian-Carlo Coppola’s great-grandfather Francesco Pennino was a well-known musician. He had emigrated from Naples, Italy to the United States of America. Coppola’s paternal grandfather Carmine Coppola was a music composer, while his grandmother Italia Coppola was a popular actress.

His mother Eleanor Jessie Neil is an artist, writer, and documentary filmmaker. She is best known for directing a documentary film titled ‘Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse.’

Coppola’s siblings Roman and Sofia went on to establish themselves in the entertainment industry. While Roman became a well-known filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer, Sofia became a screenwriter, director, and producer. She won the ‘Academy Award’ for ‘Best Original Screenplay’ for her work in the 2003 romantic comedy-drama film ‘Lost in Translation.’ She also became the third woman to receive an ‘Academy Award’ nomination for ‘Best Director’ for ‘Lost in Translation.’

Gian-Carlo Coppola was in a relationship with actress Tracy Reiner. The two remained close friends even after ending their romantic relationship. He later became engaged to Jacqui de la Fontaine who was pregnant with his daughter at the time of his death. Their daughter Gia Coppola was born on January 1, 1987. Gia went on to become a writer and director. She is best known for directing the 2013 drama film ‘Palo Alto.’

A 12-acre vineyard at the Inglenook winery, which is owned by Coppola’s parents, is named after him. His mother’s touring art installation commemorates his life. The art installation titled ‘Circle of Memory’ has been exhibited in places like Stockholm, Oakland, Salzburg, San Diego, and Oslo.

Gian-Carlo Coppola Biography