It's also widely assumed Puzo did have real-life inspiration for the characters involved in this grisly plot twist -- specifically, that he based the character of Johnny Fontane on Frank Sinatra. Fontane is a struggling singer and actor who, after the horse slaughter, gets the part in Woltz's film and goes on to win an Oscar. Sinatra allegedly used his Mafia ties to shake down Hollywood producers for parts. One of his targets was said to have been Harry Cohn, producer of the 1953 film "From Here to Eternity." Cohn didn't want to hire him, but after some friendly persuasion, Sinatra won the part and then an Oscar, which revived his flagging career. Again, there's no indication that any horses were decapitated in the pursuit of this goal, but Sinatra was apparently so incensed by the rumors that he threatened and verbally abused Puzo in a Hollywood restaurant in 1970. He also successfully sued the BBC in 1972 for suggesting that he had been the inspiration for Fontane.