Famous bandits of the world. The most famous gangsters. The most powerful gangsters in the world
Intelligence, cunning, and sober calculation - that's what helped these bandits stay afloat. Oh yes, we almost forgot: they were also helped by composure, cruelty, and the desire for blood.
1. Al Capone (1899 - 1947)
The legend of the underworld of those times and the most famous mafia boss in history. He was a prominent representative of criminal America. His fields of activity were:
- bootlegging (illegal trade in alcohol during Prohibition in the United States);
- prostitution;
- gambling business.
Known as the organizer of the most cruel and significant day in the history of the criminal world - the Massacre on Valentine's Day (then seven influential gangsters from the Irish gang of Bugs Moran were shot dead, including the right hand of the boss).
Al Capone was the first among all the gangsters to launder money through a huge network of laundries, the prices of which were very low. Capone was the first to introduce the concept of “racketeering” and successfully dealt with it, laying the foundation for a new vector of mafia activity.
The nickname "Scarface" Alfonso received at the age of 19, when he worked in a billiard club. He then protested the violent felon Frank Galluccio and insulted his wife. After that, a fight and stabbing took place between the bandits. Result: Capone received a famous scar on his left cheek. By right, Al was the most influential and terrifying person on everyone, including the government, which was able to put him in jail just for not paying taxes.
Find out about Capone's most notorious crimes in the following video:
2. Lucky Luciano (1897 - 1962)
Originally from Sicily, Lucky became in America, in fact, the founder of the underworld. His real name is Charles. Lucky (in translation means “Lucky”), they began to call him after the bandit was taken to a deserted highway, tortured, beaten, cut, burned his face with cigarettes, and he remained alive after that.
The people who tortured him turned out to be Maranzano gangsters. They wanted to know the location of the drug cache. But Charles did not give up. After unsuccessful torture, they left the bloodied body without any signs of life by the road, thinking that Luciano was dead. There, after 8 hours, the poor fellow was picked up by a patrol car. Luciano received 60 stitches and survived.
After this incident, the nickname "Lucky" remained with him forever. Lucky organized the "Big Seven" - a group of bootleggers, whom he gave protection from the authorities. He became the boss of Cosa Nostra, which controlled all areas of activity in the criminal world.
Source: wikipedia.org
3. Pablo Escobar (1949 - 1993)
The most cruel and daring Colombian drug lord. He entered the history of the XX century as the most cruel criminal and the head of the largest drug cartel. He established the supply of cocaine to different parts of the world, mainly to the USA, on a grandiose scale, up to transportation by planes in tens of kilograms. He, as the head of the Medellin cocaine cartel, is credited with the murders of more than 200 judges and prosecutors, more than 1,000 policemen and journalists, presidential candidates, ministers, and prosecutors general. Escobar's net worth in 1989 was over $15 billion.
Source: wikipedia.org
4. John Gotti (1940 - 2002)
John Gotti was a famous figure, he was loved by the press, he was always dressed to the nines. Numerous accusations from New York law enforcement have always failed, Gotti avoided punishment for a long time. For this, the press nicknamed him "Teflon John". He received the nickname "Elegant Don" when he began to dress only in fashionable and stylish suits with expensive ties.
John Gotti has been the head of the Gambino family since 1985. During his "reign" this group was one of the most influential.
Source: wikipedia.org
5. Carlo Gambino (1902 - 1976)
It was Gambino who became the founder of the above-mentioned and one of the most influential families in criminal America. After taking control of a number of highly profitable areas, including illegal bootlegging, a state port and an airport, the Gambino family became the most powerful of the five families.
Carlo forbade his people from selling drugs, considering this type of business dangerous and attracting public attention. At its peak, the Gambino family consisted of more than 40 groups and teams, and controlled New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Miami and Los Angeles.
Source: wikipedia.org
6. Meir Lansky (1902 - 1983)
Meir was born in Belarus, the city of Grodno. A native of the Russian Empire became the most influential person in the United States and one of the leaders of the country's crime. He is the creator of the "National Crime Syndicate" and one of the progenitors of the gambling business in the states. He was also the biggest bootlegger.
Source: wikipedia.org
7. Joseph Bonanno (1905 - 2002)
Patriarch of the Bonanno family and one of the richest mobsters in history. The history of the reign of Joseph, who was called “Banana Joe”, has 30 years. At the end of this period, Bonanno voluntarily retired and lived in his personal huge mansion. Joe organized a crime family that is still active in the United States.
There are many criminal gangs in the world, which, due to their high organization and large numbers, have become known as the mafia. This post will introduce you to the most powerful and cruel mafias in the world.
Sicilian mafia
It has been operating in Sicily since the beginning of the 19th century, turning into an international organization at the beginning of the 20th century. Initially, the organization was engaged in protecting the owners of orange plantations and nobles who own large plots of land, mainly from themselves. These were the beginnings of racketeering. Later, Cosa Nostra expanded its area of activity, becoming a criminal gang in every way. Since the 20th century, banditry has become the main activity of Cosa Nostra.
Russian Mafia
It is officially the most feared organized crime group in the world. Former FBI special agents call the Russian mafia "the most dangerous people on Earth." In the West, the term "Russian mafia" can mean any criminal organization, both Russian itself and from other states of the post-Soviet space, or from the immigration environment in the far abroad. Some get hierarchical tattoos, often use military tactics and perform contract killings.
Mexican mafia (La eMe)
This gang is an ally of the Aryan Brotherhood from the south coast of the United States. Known for her active involvement in the drug trade. Gang members are easily identified by a special tattoo in the form of a black hand located on the chest.
The Mexican mafia was created in the late 50s by members of a street gang of Mexicans imprisoned in Dewell Prison, located in Trici, California. The founders of the gang were thirteen Mexican-Americans from East Los Angeles, several of whom were members of the Marawil gang. They called themselves Mexicanemi, which is translated from the Nahuatl language as "one who walks with God in his heart."
The Yakuza are organized crime syndicates in Japan, similar to the triad in other Asian countries or the Western mafia. However, the social organization and work patterns of the yakuza are very different from other criminal gangs: they even have their own office buildings, and their actions are often and quite openly reported in the press.
One of the iconic images of the Yakuza is their intricate colored tattoos all over their bodies. The Yakuza use the traditional method of manually injecting ink under the skin, known as irezumi, a tattoo that serves as a kind of proof of courage, since this method is very painful.
Chinese Triad
The triad is a form of secret criminal organization in China and in the Chinese diaspora. Triads have always been characterized by common beliefs (belief in the mystical meaning of the number 3, hence their name). At present, the triads are known mainly as mafia-type criminal organizations prevalent in Taiwan, the United States and other centers of Chinese immigration, specializing in drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
The Triad is one of the most patriotic mafias. During international events, militants guarantee the safety of foreigners, and during the outbreak of SARS they even announced a $1 million bonus to a doctor who finds a cure for this disease.
Hell's Angels (USA)
One of the largest motorcycle clubs in the world with its chapters (branches) all over the world. Included, along with Outlaws MC, Pagans MC and Bandidos MC, in the so-called "big four" outlaw clubs and is the most famous among them. Law enforcement agencies in a number of countries call the club a “gang of motorcyclists” and are accused of drug trafficking, racketeering, trafficking in stolen goods, violence, murders, etc.
According to the legend posted on the official website of the motorcycle club, during the Second World War, the US Air Force had the 303rd heavy bomber squadron with the name "Hell's Angels". After the end of the war and the disbandment of the unit, the pilots were left without work. They believe that their homeland betrayed them and left them to the mercy of fate. They had no choice but to go against their "cruel country, get on motorcycles, join motorcycle clubs and rebel."
Mara Salvatrucha
This mafia is engaged in many types of criminal business, including drug trafficking, weapons and people; robbery, racketeering, contract killings, kidnapping for ransom, pimping, car theft, money laundering and fraud.
Many street vendors and small shops located in the territories of Mara Salvatrucha pay the gang up to half of the income for the opportunity to work. Many Salvadorans living in the US are also forced to pay MS-13, whose relatives, in case of refusal, the bandits will mutilate or kill in their homeland.
Montreal Mafia Rizzuto
The Rizzuto are a crime family primarily based in Montreal but running the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. They once merged with families in New York, which eventually led to the mafia wars in Montreal in the late 70s. Rizzuto owns hundreds of millions of dollars of real estate in different countries. They own hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, construction, food, service and trading companies. In Italy, they own firms for the production of furniture and Italian delicacies.
Mungiki (Kenya)
This is a Kenyan political-religious group banned since 2002, reviving the traditional African religion. Born in the wake of the Mau Mau uprising. Gained notoriety in connection with the massacres and clashes with the police.
Mungiki considers itself a religious group that advocates the preservation of the traditional "African way of worship, culture and way of life." Its adherents pray with their faces turned towards Mount Kenya. They also practice vows and sacrifices.
The world has long been fighting the state against criminal clans, but the mafia is still alive. Currently, there are many criminal gangs, each of which has its own boss and mastermind. Criminal authorities often feel unpunished and create real criminal empires, intimidating civilians and government officials. They live by their own laws, the violation of which often leads to death. This article presents 10 famous mafiosi who really left a noticeable mark on the history of the mafia. 1. Al Capone
Al Capone was a legend in the underworld of the 30s and 40s. of the last century and is still considered the most famous mafia in history. The authoritative Al Capone inspired fear in everyone, including the government. This American gangster of Italian origin developed a gambling business, was engaged in bootlegging, racketeering, and drugs. It was he who introduced the concept of racketeering.
When the family moved to the US in search of a better life, he had to work hard. He worked in a pharmacy and a bowling alley, and even in a candy store. However, Al Capone was attracted to the nocturnal lifestyle. At 19, while working at a pool club, he made a cheeky comment about the wife of felon Frank Galuccio. After the ensuing fight and stabbing, he was left with a scar on his left cheek. Daring Al Capone learned to skillfully handle knives and was invited to the "Gang of Five Trunks". Known for his brutality in the massacre of competitors, he organized the Massacre on Valentine's Day, when, on his orders, seven tough mafiosi from the Bugs Moran group were shot dead.
His cunning helped him get out and avoid punishment for his crimes. The only thing he was jailed for was tax evasion. After leaving prison, where he spent 5 years, his health was undermined. He contracted syphilis from one of the prostitutes and died at the age of 48.
2. Lucky Luciano
Charles Luciano, born in Sicily, moved with his family to America in search of a decent life. Over time, he became a symbol of crime and one of the toughest gangsters in history. Since childhood, street punks have become a comfortable environment for him. He actively distributed drugs and at the age of 18 he went to prison. During the prohibition of alcohol in the United States, he was a member of the Gang of Four and was involved in the smuggling of alcohol. He was a poor immigrant, like his friends, and ended up making millions of dollars in crime. Lucky organized a group of bootleggers, the so-called "Big Seven" and defended it from the authorities.Later, he became the leader of the Cosa Nostra and controlled all areas of activity in the criminal environment. Maranzano's gangsters tried to find out where he was hiding drugs and for this they tricked him into taking him to the highway, where they tortured, cut and beat him. Luciano kept the secret. The bloody body with no signs of life was thrown to the side of the road and after 8 hours it was found by a police patrol. In the hospital, he received 60 stitches and saved his life. After that, they began to call him Lucky. (Lucky). 3. Pablo Escobar
Pablo Escobar is the most famous brutal Colombian drug lord. He created a real drug empire and established the supply of cocaine around the world on a huge scale. The young Escobar grew up in the poor areas of Medellin and began his illegal activities by stealing tombstones and reselling them to resellers with erased inscriptions. In addition, he sought to earn easy money on the sale of drugs and cigarettes, as well as forging lottery tickets. Later, theft of expensive cars, racketeering, robberies and kidnappings were added to the scope of criminal activity.
At 22, Escobar has already become a famous authority in poor neighborhoods. The poor supported him as he built cheap housing for them. Becoming the head of a drug cartel, he earned billions. In 1989, his fortune was more than 15 billion. During his criminal activities, he was involved in the murders of more than a thousand policemen, journalists, several hundred judges and prosecutors, and various officials. 4. John Gotti
John Gotti was known to everyone in New York. He was called the "Teflon Don", because all the accusations miraculously flew away from him, leaving him unstained. This was a very quirky mobster who worked his way from the bottom to the very top of the Gambino family. Due to his bright and elegant style, he also received the nickname "Elegant Don". During the management of the family, he was engaged in typical criminal cases: racketeering, theft, carjacking, murders. The right hand of the boss in all crimes has always been his friend Salvatore Gravano. In the end, this was a fatal mistake for John Gotti. In 1992, Salvatore began to cooperate with the FBI, testified against Gotti and sent him to prison for life. In 2002, John Gotti died in prison from throat cancer.
5. Carlo Gambino
Gambino is a Sicilian gangster who led one of the most powerful crime families in America and led it until his death. As a teenager, he began to steal and engage in extortion. Later switched to bootlegging. When he became the boss of the Gambino family, he made it the richest and most powerful by controlling such lucrative properties as the state port and airport. During its dawn of power, the Gambino criminal group consisted of more than 40 teams, and controlled the major cities of America (New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and others). Gambino did not welcome drug dealing by members of his group, as he considered it a dangerous business that attracted a lot of attention.6. Meir Lansky
Meir Lansky is a Jew born in Belarus. At the age of 9 he moved with his family to New York. From childhood, he became friends with Charles "Lucky" Luciano, which predetermined his fate. For decades, Meir Lansky has been one of America's most important crime bosses. During Prohibition in America, he was involved in the illegal transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages. Later, the "National Crime Syndicate" was created and a network of underground bars and bookmakers was opened. For many years, Meir Lansky developed a gambling empire in the United States. In the end, tired of the constant supervision of the police, he leaves for Israel on a visa for 2 years. The FBI wanted him extradited. At the expiration of the visa, he wants to move to another state, but no one accepts him. He returns to the US, where he is awaiting trial. The charges were dropped, but the passport was cancelled. In recent years, he lived in Miami and died in a hospital from cancer. 7. Joseph Bonanno
This mafioso occupied a special place in the criminal world of America. At the age of 15, the Sicilian boy was left an orphan. Illegally moved to the United States, where he quickly joined the criminal circles. Created and ran the powerful Bonanno crime family for 30 years. Over time, he began to be called "Banana Joe". Having achieved the status of the richest mafioso in history, he voluntarily retired. He wanted to live the rest of his life in peace in his own luxurious mansion. For a while, he was forgotten by everyone. But the release of the autobiography was an unprecedented act for the mafiosi and again riveted attention to him. They even put him in jail for a year. Joseph Bonanno died at the age of 97, surrounded by relatives. 8. Alberto Anastasia
Albert Anastasia was called the head of the Gambino, one of the 5 mafia clans. He was nicknamed the Chief Executioner because his faction Murder, Inc. was responsible for over 600 deaths. He hasn't been in jail for any of them. When a case was brought against him, it was not clear where the main witnesses for the prosecution disappeared. Alberto Anastasia liked to get rid of witnesses. He called Lucky Luciano his teacher and was devoted to him. Anastasia carried out assassinations of the leaders of other criminal groups on Lucky's order. However, in 1957, Albert Anastasia himself was killed in a barbershop by order of his competitors. 9. Vincent Gigante
Vincent Gigante is a well-known authority among the mafiosi who controlled crime in New York and other major American cities. He left school in the 9th grade and switched to boxing. He got into a criminal group at the age of 17. Since then, his ascent in the underworld began. First he became a godfather, and then a consoler (advisor). Since 1981, he became the leader of the Genovese family. Vincent was nicknamed "The Nutty Boss" and "King of Pajamas" for his inappropriate behavior and walking around New York in a bathrobe. It was a simulation of a mental disorder. For 40 years he avoided prison by pretending to be crazy. In 1997, he was nevertheless sentenced to 12 years. Even while in prison, he continued to give instructions to members of the criminal gang through his son Vincent Esposito. In 2005, the mafioso died in prison from heart problems.
10. Heriberto Lazcano
For a long time, Heriberto Lazcano was on the list of wanted and most dangerous criminals in Mexico. From the age of 17 he served in the Mexican army and in a special squad to combat drug cartels. After a couple of years, he went over to the side of drug gangsters when he was recruited by the Gulf cartel. After a while, he became the leader of one of the largest and most authoritative drug cartels - Los Zetas. Due to his boundless cruelty against competitors, bloody murders against officials, public figures, police and civilians (including women and children), he was nicknamed the Executioner. More than 47,000 people died as a result of massacres. When Heriberto Lazcano was assassinated in 2012, all of Mexico breathed a sigh of relief.
Cinema is full of stories about the mafia. It is the representatives of this mysterious criminal structure that are often the main villains. Movies such as The Godfather, Casino and Bugsy became hits.
But why are there so many films about bandits? And who is the most famous mafia? To get on the "honorary" list is not easy, for this you need to leave a noticeable criminal trace in the history of the mafia. It should be noted that most of the representatives of this list left their mark on the history of America.
Although these people were not saints, one cannot help but admire their influence and talents, albeit directed in the wrong direction. Let's talk about the most famous mafiosi and what films were created on the basis of their criminal activities.
Vincent "The Chin" Gigante (1928-2005). This criminal was born in 1928 in New York. Vincent's character was extremely complex - he never finished school, leaving it in the ninth grade. His studies were replaced by a new hobby - boxing. Speaking in light heavyweight, Gigante won 21 fights out of 25. The first arrest took place at the age of 25, but by that time Vincent had been in a criminal gang for 8 years. The very first high-profile case of a bandit as a member of the Genovese family was the attempted murder of Frank Costello. However, Gigante missed. Despite the failure, his progress through the criminal ladder continued, over time, Vincent became a godfather, and later, in the early 80s, a console player. After the conviction of the big mafia boss Tony Salerno, it was Giganto who became the new leader of the clan. But what caused such a rise? In the late 60s, Vincent avoided going to jail by pretending to be crazy. In the future, the bandit continued to maintain this image - it cost him nothing to walk along the streets of his native city in pajamas. This fact has given Giganta nicknames such as "King of Pajamas" and "The Weird". Only after his conviction in 2003 for extortion did the offender admit that his mental health was in perfect order. Thanks to lawyers and poor health, Gigante was supposed to be released from prison in 2010, but the heart of the mafia could not stand it, and on December 19, 2005, Vincent died. The prototype of Vincent Giganto was used in one of the episodes of the series "Law & Order", as well as in the 1999 film "Bonanno: The Godfather's Story".
Albert Anastasia (1903-1957). This mafia representative was born, like many of his colleagues, in Italy, but moved to America as a child. Albert's career began with the murder of a longshoreman on the Brooklyn docks. The killer began to serve his sentence in the famous Sing Sing prison, but soon the only witness mysteriously died and Anastasia was released without serving his sentence. Albert earned the nicknames "Lord Executioner" and "The Mad Hatter" for his many murders. Over time, the criminal got into the Joe Masseria gang, who just needed a cold-blooded killer. However, Albert was very friendly with rival Charlie "Lucky", so Masseria's betrayal became a matter of time. It was Anastasia who became one of the four sent to kill the boss in 1931. Already in 1944, Albert became the leader of a group of killers, which even got its name "Murder, Inc." The perpetrator himself was never prosecuted for the murders, but according to authorities, his group was directly related to at least 400 deaths. The 50s raised Albert to the status of the leader of the Luciano family, however, at the direction of Carlo Gambino, Anastasia was killed in 1957. The prototype of this mafioso became the basis for the films "Murder, Inc" with Peter Falk and Howard Smith in 1960, as well as "The Valacci Papers" in 1972 and "Lepke" in 1975.
Joseph Bonanno (1905-2002). And this bandit was born in Italy, his homeland in 1905 was the island of Sicily. Already at the age of 15, the boy was left an orphan, and when he was 19, he fled from the fascist regime of Mussolini, first to Cuba, and from there to the United States. The young man soon became known as "Joey Bananas", becoming a member of the Maranzano family. Maranzano managed to form a "Commission", which managed to establish control over the mafia families in Italy itself. However, Luciano soon killed his competitor. Bonanno gradually amassed a large capital by running cheese factories, as well as a tailoring and funeral business. Only now, Joseph's plans to gradually eliminate the rest of the families did not come true. Bonanno was stolen, it took him 19 days to come to a decision to retire. But this decision allowed Joseph to live a long life. As a result, the bandit has never been convicted of anything serious in his career. It was about Bonanno that two films were made: Love, Honor and Obedience: The Last Mafia Alliance, 1993 with Ben Gazarra in the title role and Bonanno: The Godfather Story, 1999 with Martin Landau.
Arthur Flegenheimer (1902-1935). This mobster became known by his nickname "Dutch Schultz". He was born in the Bronx in 1902. Even in his youth, Arthur became the organizer of Crap games, which he tried to impress boss Marcelo Poffo. Already at the age of 17, the young man went to prison, having been convicted of theft. Soon Arthur realized that the only way to earn money for him was to sell alcohol during the era of prohibition, or bootlegging. The bandit tried to enter the newly formed criminal syndicate, but in doing so he made serious enemies in the person of Capone and Luciano. In 1933, Arthur flees to New Jersey from justice. After his return in 1935, the mafiosi are killed by Albert Anastasia's henchmen. Glorified Dutch Schultz Dustin Hoffman in the 1991 film "Billy Bathgate", another reflection was in the "Hooligan" in 1997 with Tim Roth. The image of a bandit is also found in the films "Gangster Wars" in 1981, "Cotton Club" in 1984 and "Natural Gift" of the same year.
John Gotti (1940-2002). This gangster stands out from all the New York celebrities of this kind. John was born in 1940 and has always been considered smart. Already at the age of 16, Gotti was a member of the Fulton Rockaway Boys street gang. John's talents allowed him to quickly become the leader of the group. In the 60s, "Guys" traded in petty theft, and car theft. However, this was clearly not enough for Gotti, in the early 70s he was already the godfather of the Bergin group, which was part of the Gambino family. Gotti's ambitions pushed him to dangerous moves even among the mafia - he began to distribute drugs, which was prohibited by the rules of the family. Not surprisingly, boss Paul Castellano decided to expel Gotti from his organization. However, in 1985, John and his henchmen managed to kill Castellano and personally lead the Gambino family. Although New York City law enforcement tried numerous times to convict Gotti, the charges invariably failed. The mafia himself always looked presentable, which the media liked. It was they who gave the gangster the nicknames "Elegant Don" and "Teflon Don". The police only got to Gotti in 1992, convicting him of murder. The gangster's life was cut short in 2002, he died of cancer. The life of a mafia has been repeatedly embodied in the cinema - he was played by Antonio Denilson in the film "Getting to Gotti" in 1994, Armand Assante in "Gotti" in 1996. Yes, and in the 1998 tapes "Mafia Witness" with Tom Sizemur and "The Big Robbery" in 2001 are not did without the participation of a well-known bandit.
Meyer Lansky (1902-1983). In 1902, a boy, Mayer Sachovlyansky, was born in Russia, who was to become a famous American gangster. In 1911, he moved to New York with his parents. Even in childhood, Meyer became a friend of Charles Luciano. He demanded money from a stranger for patronage, but Lansky refused. There was a fight, the result of which was ... friendship between the boys. After some time, Bugsy Segal joined the guys, who was introduced to the company by Meyer. The friendly trinity became the core of the Bug and Meyer group, which later grew into the famous Murder, Inc. At first, Lansky took up gambling and the money that came with it. The arena of his actions was Florida, New Orleans and Cuba. Meyer became an investor in Seagal's casino, which he opened in Las Vegas, the mafia even bought an offshore Swiss bank in order to better launder money. When the National Crime Syndicate was formed in America, it was Lansky who was its co-founder. However, business is business, when Bugsy Segal stopped giving money to the Syndicate, Lansky ordered the murder of his old friend in cold blood. Gambling houses all over the world were racketed by Lansky's guys, but he did not spend a single day in prison. The role of Meyer Lansky was brilliantly portrayed by Richard Dreyfuss in 1999's Lansky and also by Nyman Roth in 1974's The Godfather II. Played gangster Mark Rydel in "Havana" in 1990, Patrick Dempsey in "Gangsters" and Ben Kingsley in "Bugsy" in 1991.
Frank Costello (1891-1973). And this gangster was born in Italy, having moved to the USA at the age of four. Already at the age of 13, Francesco Castilla becomes a member of a criminal gang, changing his name to a more sonorous one - Frank Costello. After his prison term, he becomes Charlie Luciano's best friend. This couple took up the organization of gambling and bootlegging together. Costello's influence was based on the fact that he connected the mafia and politicians. Frank was friendly with Democrat Tammany Hall, which allowed him to avoid persecution by the New York police. Luciano's arrest made Costello a man in law. Strained relations in Vito Genovese led to the fact that he tried to kill Costello in the mid-50s. This entailed a departure from the affairs of Frank, who died quietly in retirement in 1973. The image of Costello was best embodied by James Andronika in the 1981 film Gangster Chronicles. It is worth noting the work of Jack Nicholson in The Departed in 2006, Carmine Caridi in Bugsy and Costas Mobsters in Gangsters in 1991.
Benjamin "Bugsy" Segal (1906-1947) The future gangster was born in 1906 in Brooklyn, where he met Meyer Lansky. The nickname "Bugsy" came from the unpredictable nature of the bandit. Seagal committed many murders for Charlie Luciano, which made him a bunch of enemies. Not surprisingly, in the late 30s, Bugsy fled to Los Angeles, where he managed to make many acquaintances among Hollywood stars. After the passage of the Nevada gambling law, Seagal borrowed millions of dollars from the Syndicate and founded the Flamingo Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, one of the first in the city. However, the business did not turn out to be profitable, when the criminal colleagues discovered that Seagal simply stole their money, Bugsy was killed. Best of all, the image of Benjamin Segal was embodied by Warren Beatty in the film "Bugsy" in 1991 and Armand Assante in "The Married Man" in 1991.
Carlo Gambino (1902-1976). The Gambino family has been part of the mafia clan for several centuries. Who could be Carlo, if not a gangster? He began killing on demand at the age of 19. In Italy at that time Mussolini began to gain strength, so Gambino emigrated to America, where his cousin, Paul Costellano, was waiting for him. Carlo consisted of contrasts, many of the criminals considered him a coward in general, there is a case when Anastasia publicly hit him for a mistake. Gambino himself preferred to appear misunderstood. The 1940s brought the extradition of Luciano, and Albert Anastasia took his place. However, Carlo could not come to terms with this state of affairs, and in 1957 he gave the order to kill an opponent. Vito Genovese quickly climbed into the "warm" place, who planned that Gambino would get all the dirty work. However, from the very beginning, he planned to remove a new opponent. Soon he went to jail on a fabricated drug case. Carlo Gambino became the new boss of the family, which he kept in "hedgehogs" until his death in 1976. Many films have been made about Gambino - "Boss of Bosses" in 2001 with Al Ruccio. "Between Love and Honor" 1995, "Gotti" 1996 and "Bonanno: The Godfather Story" 1999.
Charlie "Lucky" Luciano (1897-1962). Salvatore Luciania was born in Sicily. 9 years after his birth, in 1906, the whole family moved to the USA, to New York. Time passed, and now Charlie became a member of the Five Points gang, controlling prostitution and racketeering in Manhattan. In 1929, an attempt was made on Luciano's life, and he decided to create the National Crime Syndicate in order to protect himself from the attacks of competitors. On the way to the execution of his plans, there were no special obstacles; by 1935, "Lucky" Luciano also became known as the "Boss of Bosses" not only in his city, but throughout the States. However, the police did not doze off, in 1936 the gangster was sentenced to prison for a term of 30 to 50 years. However, bribes and lawyers did their job - in 1946, Charlie was released from prison, on condition that he leaves the country. The influence of the mafiosi was so great that during the Second World War, even the US Navy turned to him for assistance in order to assist them in landing in Italy. Luciano died in 1962 due to a heart attack. The gangster was portrayed by Christian Slater in 1991's Gangsters, Bill Graham in 1991's Bugsy, and Anthony LaPaglia in 1999's Lansky.
Al Capone (1899-1947). This gangster deserves to be number one, because his name is known to everyone. Alphonse Capone was born in Brooklyn to Italian immigrant parents. After some time, the young man joined the Five Points gang, where he played the role of a bouncer. It was then that they gave Capone the nickname "Scarface". In 1919, in search of new challenges, the gangster moved to Chicago to work for Johnny Torrio. This allowed Capone to quickly move up the criminal hierarchy. During Prohibition, Capone did not disdain to engage not only in bootlegging and gambling, but also in prostitution. In 1925, the gangster is only 26 years old, but he is already the head of the Torrey family and is not afraid to start a family war. Capone became famous not only for his pomp and vanity, but also for his cruelty and intelligence. Suffice it to recall the famous massacre that took place during the celebration of St. Valentine's Day in 1929, during which many leaders of criminal gangs were destroyed. The police managed to arrest Al Capone for... tax evasion! This was done in 1931 by federal tax agent Eliot Nass. In 1934, the gangster ended up in the famous Alcatraz prison, from where he left 7 years later, already terminally ill with syphilis. Capone lost his influence, friends preferred to tell him fictional stories about the true state of affairs. Many films have been made about Capone, the most famous of which are 1967's Valentine's Day Massacre with Jason Robards, 1975's Capone with Ben Gazarra, and 1987's The Untouchables with Robert De Niro.
Tony Accardo "Big Tuna" (1906-1992). Tony was the boss of the Chicago mob for more than ten years, from the very end of World War II. At this time, his competitors left the scene - Paul Ricca went to jail, and Frank Nitti committed suicide. And he went to the first roles of Accardo during the time of Capone, being at first his bodyguard. It was Tony who, in 1931, became the prime suspect in the murder of his boss' rival, Joe Aillo. Accardo is also credited with participating in the famous massacre on Valentine's Day. After Capone's capture, Tony became the right hand of the new boss, Frank Nitti. They say that it was Accardo who eventually managed to introduce the Chicago family into the gambling business, he also "established" the entertainment and industrial racket. Tony remained a powerful member of the Family for a long time. When Giancana fled the country in 1966, Accardo returned to his familiar leadership role. As a result, Accardo retired from business in the 80s, leaving for California. There he died on May 27, 1992.
Bernardo Provenzano (b. 1933). Bernardo Provenzano was born in the small Sicilian village of Corleone, into a poor peasant family. Already in his youth he became a member of the Corleone clan. The words of the boss of the division of this clan, Luciano Liggio, are known that Bernardo "shoots like an angel, but thinks like a chicken." The rise of Provenzano's career dates back to 1958, when his boss's main rival was assassinated. The next 10 years brought Provenzano a link to a dozen more crimes and murders. He was put on the wanted list, but the police did not even try to look for him for the first twenty years. Provenzano gained power and authority, eventually capturing the entire illegal business of Palermo - prostitution, arms, drugs, gambling. As a result, by the end of the 80s, the entire local cosa nostra passed into the hands of Bernardo and his accomplice, Salvatore Riina. Provenzano was nicknamed The Beast, The Accountant, and The Bulldozer. The last nickname testifies to his intractability and uncompromisingness. Although they say that this is evidence of how he steps over people. Nevertheless, Provenzano was an excellent leader. In the early 90s, the Italian authorities declared war on the mafia, making a number of high-profile arrests. It was then that the active hunt for Provenzano began. By the time of his arrest in 2006, the police had only a 1959 photo in their hands. So, Bernardo Provenzano is caught. The all-powerful Boss of Sicilian mafia bosses appeared as a 73-year-old man in jeans and a sweater. The mafia was sentenced in absentia a long time ago, he will spend the rest of his days in prison.
Giuseppe Antonio Doto "Joe Adonis" (1906-1971). Adonis was born in 1906, near Naples. A common story at that time - the boy's family sent him to America. Giuseppe's criminal career began with notorious gangsters Frank Yal and Anthony Pisano. After Yalo's death in 1928, Adonis and friends joined the Pisano family as the most famous Neapolitans working in the criminal sphere in New York in the 20s. Adonis attended the 1929 Atlantic City national bootlegging deal, later joining Charlie Luciano's group. Giuseppe eliminated competitors - Maceria and Salvatore Maranzano, which allowed the reorganized group led by him to take his place in the underworld. The exact place in the hierarchy of the Adonis Family remained unclear. One thing is clear - he played a prominent role in the Mangano family. As a result, Adonis was involved in everything - racketeering, drugs, alcohol, gambling. It was Giuseppe who was responsible for the relations of the Family with other groups, including non-Italian ones. Adonis was trusted, he was Frank Costello's confidant and even the arbiter of all mafia affairs. Giuseppe was in the hands of the New Jersey gambling business, at one time the mafiosi even supported Robert Kennedy himself. Adonis died a natural death in Ancona, Italy in 1971. True, the body of the mafia was transported to America for burial.
There is no doubt that gangsters still captivate the general public. From movies, books and TV shows, we love to soak up crime stories. The reason for this is unclear, but the desire to learn all about criminal activity is strong in most people. Of the many criminals and bandits that have become famous in history, some stand out more than others. They may be distinguished by the nature of their deeds, or simply by their loud and brash personality.
10 PHOTOS
1. Jacques Merin.
This guy was born in France and worked mainly in this country, but also in America and Canada. He earned the nickname "The Man with a Hundred Faces" due to his skillful disguise. Thanks to this skill, he avoided the police many times. He acted in various criminal sectors from kidnapping to bank robberies and simple thefts. His fame is mainly due to his long list of crimes and his habit of escaping prison even when he was caught. Merin was so outraged at being arrested that he took the judge hostage.
2. James Whitey Bulger. Bulger was actually a modern-day Robin Hood who led a defense force in South Boston, USA. The Bulger Gang have targeted drug lords and illegal players in an attempt to "clean up" the city a bit. Bulger hunted only criminals and did not touch ordinary people. However, this should not detract from his cruel and ruthless nature. Although he initially tried to deal with any situation verbally, he did not hesitate to use extreme violence afterwards. The 19 murders for which he was ultimately convicted prove it.
3. John Dillinger. As leader of the famous "Dillinger Gang", John Dillinger is still one of the most infamous criminal figures in American history. He was originally raised in Chicago and the city seemingly corrupted him. Dillinger was a brash and colorful character who openly played to the audience during his peak years. His gang was responsible for about 25 violent robberies in various US states. Apart from his many crimes, Dillinger is also remembered for breaking out of prison with a fake wooden gun. Although he was a dangerous man, he became something of a hero to ordinary Americans in his prime.
4. Griselda Blanco. This lady from Miami looks more like an ordinary mother of a schoolboy than a dangerous criminal. But many know her by the nickname "Godmother of cocaine." Blanco grew up in Miami dealing with crime from an early age. She ended up running a multibillion-dollar cocaine-trafficking operation in the city. She was eventually sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for her crimes, but that didn't stop her. She continued to smuggle cocaine out of prison with the help of her associates on the street.
5. Davud Ibrahim. This gangster was the brains behind the wild and infamous D Company criminal gang. Overall, this gang has been responsible for many bombings in India, including the 1993 series of bombings in Mumbai that killed many innocent people. Ibrahim ran this large and illegal organization that had tentacles all over India. Currently the most wanted man in India, he also said he has close ties to the now deceased al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
6. Pablo Escobar. This Colombian drug lord will certainly go down in history as one of the criminals we all remember. During his peak years, he was responsible for hundreds of murders and assaults. Amassing a huge fortune, he removed anyone in his path, be it rivals, the police, or innocent people.
7. Al Capone. 
8. Lucky Luciano. There are a lot of infamous American mafia figures we could look into, but this guy is probably the most famous of all. Luciano was a very shrewd businessman. As head of the respected Genovese family, he has proven himself in every aspect of organized crime from fraud to murder. Luciano was also the man behind America's split into five different regions ruled by crime, and at the time basically formed the modern American mafia. For this reason, many still know him as the father of organized crime in the United States.
9. Kray twins. By far the most notorious gangsters that have ever been in Britain. Their fame even extended to the American mafia, who initially sought to team up with the twins, it was a sign of the respect and reputation they carried. Never shying away from conflict, they were responsible for a string of arson, fraud, assaults, and murders at their height in the 1960s. It all finally came to an end when each of them was put on trial for murder.
10 Joaquin Guzman He is a dangerous and psychotic Mexican drug dealer. As the leader of the Sinaloa cartel in the country, he was one of the most vocal drug dealers the world has ever seen. The cartel also had interests in organized crime and this, combined with their drug dealing, made them quite successful. A very powerful figure in the underworld since the late 2000s. Forbes has estimated his personal worth at $1 billion. As you might expect, Guzmán himself was a character who could be very unpredictable, ruthless, and violent. You won't get that kind of money and stay on top in this game unless you're a very cold and calculating person.