Italians are often portrayed using the stereotype of a gangster. This was popularised by actors such as Robert Dinero, Joe peshi and Director Martin Scorsese in films he made such as Goodfellas and Casino amongst other gangster classics like the Godfather trilogy. These people are often portrayed as violent monsters particularly In goodfellas where pechis character Tommy violently stabs a man to death for a joke. He also shoots a young man in the leg and stomach for standing up to him. He is himself killed by the maffia later in the film. Honour is also a trait valued in these films particular in the Godfather trilogy where family and honour drive the plot and in goodfellas where Dinero's character stays "don't rat on your friends" and rewards a young Henry Hill for not informing on them in court.
Another more light hearted representation would be characters such as the cheiff Luigie who is portrayed as an overweight and flamboyant. He is obsessive about Italian food such as pizza 🍕 and pasta.
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