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Prototype for Tom Hagen?

Posted By: Danito

Prototype for Tom Hagen? - 06/24/12 10:15 PM

I don't remember if this has ever been discussed here: Was there a real life prototype for the Tom Hagen character?
Posted By: Lilo

Re: Prototype for Tom Hagen? - 06/24/12 10:24 PM

I don't know if Puzo ever listed anyone as inspiration. To me the closest analogue would have been Murray Humphries.
Posted By: olivant

Re: Prototype for Tom Hagen? - 06/24/12 11:56 PM

I think that there were a number of non-Italians who gained prominence in organized crime and Puzo simply copied them. It added an "outsider" dimension to the novel and keeps the reader wondering why.
Posted By: Turnbull

Re: Prototype for Tom Hagen? - 06/25/12 12:50 AM

Meyer Lansky was close enough with Charlie Luciano to be considered his de facto consigliere. But, unlike Vito Corleone, Luciano never gave him the official title.
Posted By: dontommasino

Re: Prototype for Tom Hagen? - 06/25/12 01:20 AM

Originally Posted By: Turnbull
Meyer Lansky was close enough with Charlie Luciano to be considered his de facto consigliere. But, unlike Vito Corleone, Luciano never gave him the official title.


I thought that myself. The differences are substantial, but some of the attitudes towards Hagen (at least in the novel) were directed at Lansky when he was coming up with Luciano.
Posted By: Sonny_Black

Re: Prototype for Tom Hagen? - 06/25/12 05:45 PM

Frank DeSimone and Murray Humphreys.
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