Like i know Roth most closely resembles Meyer Lansky

but does anyone know other ones?

This has been the topic of may previous discussions and threads.

Vito Corleone is probably a composite figure made up of several real life dons.


Moe Green is prpbably Bugsy Siegel

Johnny Fontaine is probably Frank Sinatra.

Turnbull, where are you when we need you?

Just a few:

Clemenza - Joe Profaci

Pentangeli - Joe Magliocco

Rosatto Bros. - Gallo Bros.

Johnny Ola - Joey Alo

Gosh...
Here is a repeat of a previous post on this subject:

WHO’S WHO IN “THE GODFATHER TRILOGY”

Mario Puzo has said that he drew on only two scenes from his own experience in writing “The Godfather”: guns being passed between apartment windows, and a widow evicted because of a dog. But many of the characters in both the book and the “Saga” are drawn from real life:

Close Fit:

Johnny Fontane = Frank Sinatra: Washed-up, teen-idol crooner with fealty to the Mob; role in war movie puts him back on top; sluttish, movie-star ex-wife.

Hyman Roth = Meyer Lansky: Jewish adviser to Mafia; “always makes money for his partners”; tight with president of Cuba; started out as a truck mechanic and got connected during Prohibition; fled to Israel and South America to escape Justice Dept.

Moe Green = Bugsy Siegel: Pal of Jewish adviser to Mob; “headstrong, talking loud, saying stupid things”; “city he invented was Las Vegas”; “someone put a bullet in his eye.”

Johnny Ola = Vincent (Jimmy Blue Eyes) Alo: “Sicilian messenger boy” to Lansky [N.B.: Name is an anagram.]

Joey Zasa = Joe Columbo/John Gotti: Meucci Society = Italian-American Civil Rights League; “Best-Dressed Mobster”; publicity hound; shot at Italian-American event.

Rosato Brothers = Gallo Brothers: Renegade faction in Mob family declares war on Don (Joe Profaci); Joey Gallo recruits blacks and Hispanics while in jail; “leave the gambling for last.” [N.B.: Eldest brother Larry was garroted in the back of Brooklyn’s Sahara Lounge after-hours in 1960 and was saved by a NYC cop who happened by—the basis of the Frank Pentangeli-Rosato Brothers scene, but with roles reversed.]

Stretch Fit:

Vito Corleone = Frank Costello: Most powerful of Five Families; “had all the judges in New York in his pocket”; primary business was gambling and unions; retired after being shot by rival mobster. [N.B.: Some fans believe Lucky Luciano was the model because he arranged for the death of Joe “The Boss” Masseria at a restaurant (in the book, Vito Corleone arranged for the death of “Maranzalla” at a restaurant). But Luciano dealt in prostitution and drugs, was convicted and sentenced to 40 years in jail, and was deported. Vito Corleone deplored prostitution and drugs, and never went to jail.]

Emilio Barzini = Vito Genovese: Tried to kill rival to become Capo di Tutti Capi; attempted to make move on drugs at gangster convention (Apalachin). But: Genovese died in jail; Barzini was killed.

-2-

Frankie Pentangeli = Joe Magliocco: Weak successor to strong Don (Profaci); beleaguered by rival faction (see Rosato Brothers/Gallo Brothers); attempt to move against stronger Don backfires. But: Magliocco died of a heart attack, Pentangeli turned state’s evidence and killed himself.

Peter Clemenza = Frank Labruzzo (Bonanno Family): Top capo to Don (Bonanno) stayed loyal to son of Don (Bill Bonanno) during gang war; philosophical bent. But: Labruzzo died of cancer before being permitted to form own family. [N.B.: Richard Castellano played Labruzzo in the TV movie, “Honor Thy Father.”]

Sal Tessio = Gaspar Di Gregorio (Bonanno Family): Top capo to Don (Bonanno) betrayed Don and son by siding with rival Don (Stefano Maggaddino) in return for being named head of his own family. But: Di Gregorio died of heart attack; Tessio was taken for a ride by Willie Cicci.

Fredo Corleone = Thomas Gambino: Weak son of Capo di Tutti Capi is passed over, given “legit” businesses to run. But: Garment Center trucking is not a “Mickey Mouse nightclub”; Fredo was killed after betrying his brother; Tommy is still alive.

Luca Brasi = Willie Moretti: Legendary strong-armer; “can do a job of murder all by himself”; “most valued friend” of Joe Bonanno and other Mob bosses; killed by the Mob (probably Vito Genovese). But: Moretti was killed by agreement among several Dons because his tertiary syphilis was causing him to become loose-lipped.

No Fit:

Michael Corleone. No son ever succeeded his father as Don, much less surpassed his father. But: Salvatore (Bill) Bonanno was being groomed as his father’s successor until the “Banana Wars” caused his father’s retirement and Bill’s imprisonment on credit card fraud charges. Also: John Gotti designated his son as Don, but Junior wasn’t even able to run a phone-card scam successfully, was not accepted by many factions in the Family, and is in trouble with the law.
Tom Hagen. No non-Italian has ever served, officially, as a Family’s consigliere. But: Meyer Lansky was unofficial consigliere to all the Five Families and several out-of-town mobs; Jake Guzik served as Al Capone’s mentor and business manager.

Lakeland Road Boys = Mayfield Road Gang (of Cleveland)

Don Zaluchi = Joe Zerilli (of Detroit)

Joey Zsa Zsa = John Gotti

Don Altobello = Eli Wallach as the 3rd Mister Freeze in Batman
(at least his performance and casting are comparable)

Tom Hagen = Bruce Cutler???

Please tell me you are kidding.

Why do you think he is kidding?

Think about the senate hearing scene in GFII when Hagen screams demnanding an apology from the senators. Not at all unlike the way that Cutler screamed at the courtroom demanding an apology when Gotti was aquitted.

Perhaps Robert DuVall studied the Gotti trial and Bruce Cutler's style.

Huh? What's that you say? GFII was made in 1974 and the Gotti trial was in 1987? Oh, really.

Well maybe Duvall went Back To The Future or Somewhere In Time.


Don Cardi

Senator Geary --- About 3/4 of all elected officials

Willie Moretti is also believed to have "persuaded" Tommy Dorsey to release Frank Sinatra from his contract with him, like Luca Brasi is believed to have done the same to Les Halley to get him to release Johnny Fontane from his contract with him.

Santino isn't named after anybody?

Okay for the most part Turnbull. But I take issue with Vito = Costello (me, Bonanno)and Clemenza = Labruzzo (me, Profaci).

And for extra credit who were the other two Mr. Freeze's on the Batman TV show? And when are they going to release those shows oN DVD? West, Ward and Craig, as well as Newmar are still alive, they could do commentary.

Vito is a composite, and he does have elements of Bonanno--both wanted their sons to succeed them, both had two close capos, one who betrayed them, the other who stayed loyal. For that matter, Vito, like Profaci, was the largest importer of olive oil in the US. But I think he's most like Costello for the reasons cited.
I don't see a connection between Clemenza and Profaci. Clemenza was under Vito for decades, and apparently stayed under Michael until he died. Profaci, as a young man, was made the Don of his family by Salvatore Maranzano after the Castellemmarese War of 1930-31 and remained the Don until his death in 1964.

actually Vito Corleone was influenced by one Carmine Sabatini aka Jimmy The Toucan, and if you don't believe me, just watch the freshman.

Carmine was a very caring man, especially for the old people, never very political....