Author: Bradley Lewis
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 452
Book Description
The first full-length biography of West Coast gangster Mickey Cohen, a man of many parts: boxer, bodyguard, blackmailer, pimp, gambler, haberdasher, restaurateur, racketeer, thief. A confidant of Hollywood legends, Cohen hung out with Rat Pack mega stars and hobnobbed with Jerry Lewis. In the world of crime, Mickey Cohen knew everyone--from underworld bosses to punks, from operator-enforcers to B-girls. A personal friend of professional gigolo Johnny Stompanato, Mickey had an association with Jack Ruby and acted as bodyguard for Bugsy Siegel. He did the bidding for Mafiosi bigwigs, including Meyer Lansky, Sam Giancana, Carlo Gambino, Vito Genovese, Frank Costello, and Lucky Luciano. At five feet five inches, Mickey still had a way with women. The fugitive Patty Hearst even played a role in the incredible life of this "celebrity gangster," right at home during Hollywood's Golden Age--and beyond.--From publisher description.
Hollywood's Celebrity Gangster
Author: Bradley Lewis
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 452
Book Description
The first full-length biography of West Coast gangster Mickey Cohen, a man of many parts: boxer, bodyguard, blackmailer, pimp, gambler, haberdasher, restaurateur, racketeer, thief. A confidant of Hollywood legends, Cohen hung out with Rat Pack mega stars and hobnobbed with Jerry Lewis. In the world of crime, Mickey Cohen knew everyone--from underworld bosses to punks, from operator-enforcers to B-girls. A personal friend of professional gigolo Johnny Stompanato, Mickey had an association with Jack Ruby and acted as bodyguard for Bugsy Siegel. He did the bidding for Mafiosi bigwigs, including Meyer Lansky, Sam Giancana, Carlo Gambino, Vito Genovese, Frank Costello, and Lucky Luciano. At five feet five inches, Mickey still had a way with women. The fugitive Patty Hearst even played a role in the incredible life of this "celebrity gangster," right at home during Hollywood's Golden Age--and beyond.--From publisher description.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 452
Book Description
The first full-length biography of West Coast gangster Mickey Cohen, a man of many parts: boxer, bodyguard, blackmailer, pimp, gambler, haberdasher, restaurateur, racketeer, thief. A confidant of Hollywood legends, Cohen hung out with Rat Pack mega stars and hobnobbed with Jerry Lewis. In the world of crime, Mickey Cohen knew everyone--from underworld bosses to punks, from operator-enforcers to B-girls. A personal friend of professional gigolo Johnny Stompanato, Mickey had an association with Jack Ruby and acted as bodyguard for Bugsy Siegel. He did the bidding for Mafiosi bigwigs, including Meyer Lansky, Sam Giancana, Carlo Gambino, Vito Genovese, Frank Costello, and Lucky Luciano. At five feet five inches, Mickey still had a way with women. The fugitive Patty Hearst even played a role in the incredible life of this "celebrity gangster," right at home during Hollywood's Golden Age--and beyond.--From publisher description.
Hollywood Godfather
Author: Gianni Russo
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 1250181399
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 305
Book Description
Hollywood Godfather is Gianni Russo's over-the-top memoir of a real-life mobster-turned-actor who helped make The Godfather a reality, and his story of life on the edge between danger and glamour. Gianni Russo was a handsome 25-year-old mobster with no acting experience when he walked onto the set of The Godfather and entered Hollywood history. He played Carlo Rizzi, the husband of Connie Corleone, who set her brother Sonny—played by James Caan—up for a hit. Russo didn't have to act—he knew the mob inside and out: from his childhood in Little Italy, where Mafia legend Frank Costello took him under his wing, to acting as a messenger for New Orleans mob boss Carlos Marcello during the Kennedy assassination, to having to go on the lam after shooting and killing a member of the Colombian drug cartel in his Vegas club. Along the way, Russo befriended Frank Sinatra, who became his son's godfather, and Marlon Brando, who mentored his career as an actor after trying to get Francis Ford Coppola to fire him from The Godfather. Russo had passionate affairs with Marilyn Monroe, Liza Minelli, and scores of other celebrities. He went on to become a producer and starred in The Godfather: Parts I and II, Seabiscuit, Any Given Sunday and Rush Hour 2, among many other films. Hollywood Godfather is a no-holds-barred account of a life filled with violence, glamour, sex—and fun.
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 1250181399
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 305
Book Description
Hollywood Godfather is Gianni Russo's over-the-top memoir of a real-life mobster-turned-actor who helped make The Godfather a reality, and his story of life on the edge between danger and glamour. Gianni Russo was a handsome 25-year-old mobster with no acting experience when he walked onto the set of The Godfather and entered Hollywood history. He played Carlo Rizzi, the husband of Connie Corleone, who set her brother Sonny—played by James Caan—up for a hit. Russo didn't have to act—he knew the mob inside and out: from his childhood in Little Italy, where Mafia legend Frank Costello took him under his wing, to acting as a messenger for New Orleans mob boss Carlos Marcello during the Kennedy assassination, to having to go on the lam after shooting and killing a member of the Colombian drug cartel in his Vegas club. Along the way, Russo befriended Frank Sinatra, who became his son's godfather, and Marlon Brando, who mentored his career as an actor after trying to get Francis Ford Coppola to fire him from The Godfather. Russo had passionate affairs with Marilyn Monroe, Liza Minelli, and scores of other celebrities. He went on to become a producer and starred in The Godfather: Parts I and II, Seabiscuit, Any Given Sunday and Rush Hour 2, among many other films. Hollywood Godfather is a no-holds-barred account of a life filled with violence, glamour, sex—and fun.
The Accidental Gangster
Author: Ori Spado
Publisher: WildBlue Press
ISBN: 1948239450
Category : True Crime
Languages : en
Pages : 377
Book Description
The true story of a Hollywood fixer who wound up in the sights of the FBI. In this memoir, Orlando (Ori) Spado honestly recounts his humble beginnings from the small town of Rome in upstate New York, and his journey to becoming known as “The Mob Boss of Hollywood.” It is a candid account documenting his fall from a well-known Hollywood fixer mixing with A-list celebrities to serving 62 months in Federal prison, and ultimately making a determined comeback. “For nearly forty years Orlando ‘Ori’ Spado was a friend and associate of John ‘Sonny’ Franzese, underboss of the Colombo organized crime family. His relationship with Sonny brought him to the attention of the FBI, and eventually led to his being indicted with Sonny on federal RICO charges, and imprisoned. In The Accidental Gangster Ori provides the details of his time in ‘the life’ and his long battle with the FBI—whose overwhelming resources made it a fight that was impossible to win.”—Nick Pileggi, author of Wiseguy “Orlando ‘Ori’ Spado had been a thorn in the side of the Los Angeles field office of the FBI for almost two decades before they finally took him down. Accidentally or not, Ori was a quintessential Mob character, complete with a pinkie ring and a slow, steady deliberate voice whether speaking with friends or foes. But like so many other ‘Good Fellas,’ he was set up by a friend’s son. You will have to read the book to find out who set him up. Enjoy!”—John Connolly, New York Times-bestselling author of Filthy Rich
Publisher: WildBlue Press
ISBN: 1948239450
Category : True Crime
Languages : en
Pages : 377
Book Description
The true story of a Hollywood fixer who wound up in the sights of the FBI. In this memoir, Orlando (Ori) Spado honestly recounts his humble beginnings from the small town of Rome in upstate New York, and his journey to becoming known as “The Mob Boss of Hollywood.” It is a candid account documenting his fall from a well-known Hollywood fixer mixing with A-list celebrities to serving 62 months in Federal prison, and ultimately making a determined comeback. “For nearly forty years Orlando ‘Ori’ Spado was a friend and associate of John ‘Sonny’ Franzese, underboss of the Colombo organized crime family. His relationship with Sonny brought him to the attention of the FBI, and eventually led to his being indicted with Sonny on federal RICO charges, and imprisoned. In The Accidental Gangster Ori provides the details of his time in ‘the life’ and his long battle with the FBI—whose overwhelming resources made it a fight that was impossible to win.”—Nick Pileggi, author of Wiseguy “Orlando ‘Ori’ Spado had been a thorn in the side of the Los Angeles field office of the FBI for almost two decades before they finally took him down. Accidentally or not, Ori was a quintessential Mob character, complete with a pinkie ring and a slow, steady deliberate voice whether speaking with friends or foes. But like so many other ‘Good Fellas,’ he was set up by a friend’s son. You will have to read the book to find out who set him up. Enjoy!”—John Connolly, New York Times-bestselling author of Filthy Rich
Tinseltown Gangsters
Author: Jeffrey Sussman
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1538173573
Category : True Crime
Languages : en
Pages : 311
Book Description
Like sharks to blood in the water, the mob arrived in Hollywood greedy and ready to tear away huge chunks of cash. Opportunistic mobsters saw labor unions as the means for muscling into the movie industry and extorting millions of dollars from studio bosses. Control the unions to which projectionists, art directors, cinematographers, electricians, scene designers, stagehands, extras belong, and you control the whole industry. Painting colorful portraits of numerous mobsters, producers, actors, and directors, Tinseltown Gangsters tells the gripping, fast-paced, true story of corruption and greed in Hollywood throughout much of the twentieth century.
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1538173573
Category : True Crime
Languages : en
Pages : 311
Book Description
Like sharks to blood in the water, the mob arrived in Hollywood greedy and ready to tear away huge chunks of cash. Opportunistic mobsters saw labor unions as the means for muscling into the movie industry and extorting millions of dollars from studio bosses. Control the unions to which projectionists, art directors, cinematographers, electricians, scene designers, stagehands, extras belong, and you control the whole industry. Painting colorful portraits of numerous mobsters, producers, actors, and directors, Tinseltown Gangsters tells the gripping, fast-paced, true story of corruption and greed in Hollywood throughout much of the twentieth century.
A Murder in Hollywood
Author: Casey Sherman
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
ISBN: 1728276519
Category : True Crime
Languages : en
Pages : 194
Book Description
USA TODAY BESTSELLER "A wild ride beneath the glitz and glamour of 1950s Hollywood, proving once again that Casey Sherman is a master of the genre." —Ben Mezrich, New York Times bestselling author of Dumb Money, Bringing Down the House, and The Accidental Billionaires The dark story behind the bright lights of Tinseltown From the outside, Hollywood starlet Lana Turner seemed to have it all—a thriving film career, a beautiful daughter, and the kind of fame and fortune that most people could only dream of. But when the famous femme fatale began dating mobster Johnny Stompanato, thug for the infamous west coast mob boss Mickey Cohen, her personal life became violent and unpredictable. Lana's teenage daughter, Cheryl, watched her beloved mother's life deteriorate as Stompanato's intense jealousy took over. Eventually, the physical and emotional abuse became too much to bear, and Lana attempted to break it off with Johnny—with disastrous consequences. The details of what happened that fateful night remain foggy, but it ended in a series of frantic phone calls and Stompanato dead on Lana's bedroom floor, with Cheryl claiming to have plunged a knife into his abdomen in an attempt to protect her mother. The subsequent murder trial made for the biggest headlines of the year, its drama eclipsing every Hollywood movie. New York Times bestselling author Casey Sherman pulls back Tinseltown's velvet curtain to reveal the dark underbelly of celebrity, rife with toxic masculinity and casual violence against women, and tells the story of Lana Turner and her daughter, who finally stood up to the abuse that plagued their family for years. A Murder in Hollywood transports us back to the golden age of film and illuminates one of the 20th century's most notorious true crime tales.
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
ISBN: 1728276519
Category : True Crime
Languages : en
Pages : 194
Book Description
USA TODAY BESTSELLER "A wild ride beneath the glitz and glamour of 1950s Hollywood, proving once again that Casey Sherman is a master of the genre." —Ben Mezrich, New York Times bestselling author of Dumb Money, Bringing Down the House, and The Accidental Billionaires The dark story behind the bright lights of Tinseltown From the outside, Hollywood starlet Lana Turner seemed to have it all—a thriving film career, a beautiful daughter, and the kind of fame and fortune that most people could only dream of. But when the famous femme fatale began dating mobster Johnny Stompanato, thug for the infamous west coast mob boss Mickey Cohen, her personal life became violent and unpredictable. Lana's teenage daughter, Cheryl, watched her beloved mother's life deteriorate as Stompanato's intense jealousy took over. Eventually, the physical and emotional abuse became too much to bear, and Lana attempted to break it off with Johnny—with disastrous consequences. The details of what happened that fateful night remain foggy, but it ended in a series of frantic phone calls and Stompanato dead on Lana's bedroom floor, with Cheryl claiming to have plunged a knife into his abdomen in an attempt to protect her mother. The subsequent murder trial made for the biggest headlines of the year, its drama eclipsing every Hollywood movie. New York Times bestselling author Casey Sherman pulls back Tinseltown's velvet curtain to reveal the dark underbelly of celebrity, rife with toxic masculinity and casual violence against women, and tells the story of Lana Turner and her daughter, who finally stood up to the abuse that plagued their family for years. A Murder in Hollywood transports us back to the golden age of film and illuminates one of the 20th century's most notorious true crime tales.
Mickey Cohen
Author: Tere Tereba
Publisher: ECW Press
ISBN: 1770902031
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 386
Book Description
The sensational tell-all biography of Hollywood’s most infamous mob boss who dominated Los Angeles’s underworld—and headlines—from the 1940s to the 1970s. When Bugsy Siegel was murdered in 1947, his henchman Mickey Cohen took over his criminal enterprise in Los Angeles. As charismatic as he was ruthless, Cohen attained so much power up until his death in 1976 that he was a regular above-the-fold newspaper name, with more than one thousand front-pages in LA papers alone. His story is inextricably intertwined with the history of the city of angels. Mickey Cohen is a seductive tale of Hollywood true crime history with a wildly eccentric mob boss at its center. Biographer Tere Tereba delivers tales of high life, high drama, and highly placed politicians—among them Robert F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon—as well as revelations about countless icons, including Shirley Temple, Lana Turner, Frank Sinatra, and even Rev. Billy Graham. Meticulously researched, this rich tapestry presents a complete look at the mid-twentieth century Los Angeles underworld. “The author does a superb job of tracing the ins and outs of Hollywood’s gang world in the 1940s and ’50s.” —The Wall Street Journal
Publisher: ECW Press
ISBN: 1770902031
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 386
Book Description
The sensational tell-all biography of Hollywood’s most infamous mob boss who dominated Los Angeles’s underworld—and headlines—from the 1940s to the 1970s. When Bugsy Siegel was murdered in 1947, his henchman Mickey Cohen took over his criminal enterprise in Los Angeles. As charismatic as he was ruthless, Cohen attained so much power up until his death in 1976 that he was a regular above-the-fold newspaper name, with more than one thousand front-pages in LA papers alone. His story is inextricably intertwined with the history of the city of angels. Mickey Cohen is a seductive tale of Hollywood true crime history with a wildly eccentric mob boss at its center. Biographer Tere Tereba delivers tales of high life, high drama, and highly placed politicians—among them Robert F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon—as well as revelations about countless icons, including Shirley Temple, Lana Turner, Frank Sinatra, and even Rev. Billy Graham. Meticulously researched, this rich tapestry presents a complete look at the mid-twentieth century Los Angeles underworld. “The author does a superb job of tracing the ins and outs of Hollywood’s gang world in the 1940s and ’50s.” —The Wall Street Journal
L.A. Noir
Author: John Buntin
Publisher: Crown
ISBN: 0307352080
Category : True Crime
Languages : en
Pages : 442
Book Description
Now the TNT Original Series MOB CITY Midcentury Los Angeles. A city sold to the world as "the white spot of America," a land of sunshine and orange groves, wholesome Midwestern values and Hollywood stars, protected by the world’s most famous police force, the Dragnet-era LAPD. Behind this public image lies a hidden world of "pleasure girls" and crooked cops, ruthless newspaper tycoons, corrupt politicians, and East Coast gangsters on the make. Into this underworld came two men—one L.A.’ s most notorious gangster, the other its most famous police chief—each prepared to battle the other for the soul of the city.
Publisher: Crown
ISBN: 0307352080
Category : True Crime
Languages : en
Pages : 442
Book Description
Now the TNT Original Series MOB CITY Midcentury Los Angeles. A city sold to the world as "the white spot of America," a land of sunshine and orange groves, wholesome Midwestern values and Hollywood stars, protected by the world’s most famous police force, the Dragnet-era LAPD. Behind this public image lies a hidden world of "pleasure girls" and crooked cops, ruthless newspaper tycoons, corrupt politicians, and East Coast gangsters on the make. Into this underworld came two men—one L.A.’ s most notorious gangster, the other its most famous police chief—each prepared to battle the other for the soul of the city.
Gangster Mickey Cohen
Author: Bradley Lewis
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 250
Book Description
Mickey Cohen, who died in 1976, was a colorful, feared West Coast gangster-gambler who knew the biggest names in Hollywood, was a confidant of Bugsy Siegel, and on first names with the biggest guys in the Mafia, plus everyone from Frank Sinatra to Marilyn Monroe. Bradley Lewis' novel about Cohen draws from thousands of resources - a virtual treasure trove of Mafia-related books, articles and interviews. Lewis tells the early Mickey Cohen story during the period when he was growing up in Brownsville, Brooklyn, until the beginning of his foray with Bugsy Siegel into Las Vegas. From Bugsy Siegel to Lucky Luciano and Jack Dragna to Meyer Lansky. Mickey knew them well and worked closely with them for many years. This lively, somewhat fictional take is based on the first modern biography of Cohen, "Hollywood's Celebrity Gangster, The Incredible Life and Times of Mickey Cohen".
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 250
Book Description
Mickey Cohen, who died in 1976, was a colorful, feared West Coast gangster-gambler who knew the biggest names in Hollywood, was a confidant of Bugsy Siegel, and on first names with the biggest guys in the Mafia, plus everyone from Frank Sinatra to Marilyn Monroe. Bradley Lewis' novel about Cohen draws from thousands of resources - a virtual treasure trove of Mafia-related books, articles and interviews. Lewis tells the early Mickey Cohen story during the period when he was growing up in Brownsville, Brooklyn, until the beginning of his foray with Bugsy Siegel into Las Vegas. From Bugsy Siegel to Lucky Luciano and Jack Dragna to Meyer Lansky. Mickey knew them well and worked closely with them for many years. This lively, somewhat fictional take is based on the first modern biography of Cohen, "Hollywood's Celebrity Gangster, The Incredible Life and Times of Mickey Cohen".
Hollywood Stories
Author: Stephen Schochet
Publisher: Hollywood Stories
ISBN: 0963897276
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 332
Book Description
Just when you thought you've heard everything about Hollywood comes a totally original new book - a special blend of biography, history and lore. Hollywood Stories is packed with wild, wonderful short tales about famous stars, movies, directors and many others who have been part of the world's most fascinating, unpredictable industry! Full of funny moments and twist endings, Hollywood Stories features an amazing, icons and will keep you totally entertained!
Publisher: Hollywood Stories
ISBN: 0963897276
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 332
Book Description
Just when you thought you've heard everything about Hollywood comes a totally original new book - a special blend of biography, history and lore. Hollywood Stories is packed with wild, wonderful short tales about famous stars, movies, directors and many others who have been part of the world's most fascinating, unpredictable industry! Full of funny moments and twist endings, Hollywood Stories features an amazing, icons and will keep you totally entertained!
Don Rickles
Author: Michael Seth Starr
Publisher: Citadel
ISBN: 0806541733
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 369
Book Description
An entertaining, hilarious, biting biography of “Mr. Warmth,” the infamously prickly comic who dominated Hollywood and Las Vegas for decades, making an artform out of heckling his friends, family and especially his audiences - and they couldn’t get enough of it. Having ridden a wave of success that lasted more than sixty years, Don Rickles is best known as the “insult” comic who skewered presidents, royalty, celebrities, and friends and fans alike. But there was more to “Mr. Warmth” than a devilish ear-to-ear grin and lightning-fast put-downs. Rickles was a loving husband, an adoring father who suffered a devastating loss, and a loyal friend to the likes of Bob Newhart and Frank Sinatra. Don was also a young student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and intended to become a serious actor. But it was in small nightclubs where Rickles found success, steamrolling hecklers, honing his acerbic put-downs, and teaching the world to love being insulted. Don Rickles, The Merchant of Venom traces career from his rise in the 1950s to a late-in-life resurgence thanks to the Toy Story franchise, his role in Scorsese’s Casino, and scores of TV appearances from Carson to Seth Meyers. In the intervening decades, Rickles conquered every medium, including the stage, where the Vegas legend was still performing at the age of eighty-five. In his highly memorable career, he was idolized by a generation of younger comedians including Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, and many others. And all along, Rickles performed in the shadow of a shocking open secret: he was the nicest man in town.
Publisher: Citadel
ISBN: 0806541733
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 369
Book Description
An entertaining, hilarious, biting biography of “Mr. Warmth,” the infamously prickly comic who dominated Hollywood and Las Vegas for decades, making an artform out of heckling his friends, family and especially his audiences - and they couldn’t get enough of it. Having ridden a wave of success that lasted more than sixty years, Don Rickles is best known as the “insult” comic who skewered presidents, royalty, celebrities, and friends and fans alike. But there was more to “Mr. Warmth” than a devilish ear-to-ear grin and lightning-fast put-downs. Rickles was a loving husband, an adoring father who suffered a devastating loss, and a loyal friend to the likes of Bob Newhart and Frank Sinatra. Don was also a young student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and intended to become a serious actor. But it was in small nightclubs where Rickles found success, steamrolling hecklers, honing his acerbic put-downs, and teaching the world to love being insulted. Don Rickles, The Merchant of Venom traces career from his rise in the 1950s to a late-in-life resurgence thanks to the Toy Story franchise, his role in Scorsese’s Casino, and scores of TV appearances from Carson to Seth Meyers. In the intervening decades, Rickles conquered every medium, including the stage, where the Vegas legend was still performing at the age of eighty-five. In his highly memorable career, he was idolized by a generation of younger comedians including Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, and many others. And all along, Rickles performed in the shadow of a shocking open secret: he was the nicest man in town.