Favorite mafia boss!!!

So name your favorite boss and what org you like best

I'd like to say someone low key like trafficante bc his influence Nation wide and level of politics he played too.... but then I think about how his family withered away bc he wasn't making anyone.

So, I'll go w hometown favorite of Joseph Zerilli. Low key. Very family tied in w business which usually is frowned upon but it has deff worked for Detroit....


But anyways.. have it it fellas

There are many but a few that come to mind are Frank Costello, and Tommy Lucchese. Power brokers in both the underworld and upper world. Wealthy beyond imagination, and well respected all around. Both died in the own beds with their shoes off.

Easy for me 'cause I spent several deer hunting seasons at Charlies Roost with Michael Genovese

The other half of NYM here (and my colleague will probably roll his eyes) but I'll go with John Gambino when he was head of Sicilian faction of Gambinos. Smooth operator, lowkey, and loyal to a tee. Plus he had the balls to meet with the fearsome Toto Riina to help save the Inzerillos. I also second The Other Guy with Tommy Lucchese for all reasons stated above and also because of how he treated his men.

Mine were john gotti and vinny basciano because they were low key.

Tony Accardo eight decades at the top, the Accardos are originally from Castelvetrano, home of Messina Denaro.

Raymond patriarca

Donald Trump, the biggest crook of them all.

Looking at bosses over the years you can really see the decline from brilliant, Machiavellian businessmen, who were more *likely* to fit the romanticized Hollywood version with supposed codes of honour, etc., to Bosses from the 1980's forward who were image and murder obsessed. From Bruno you get Scarfo, From Corallo you go to Amuso, and in 10 years you go from Gambino to Gotti, etc., etc. - the whole culture and mission of the mafia was inextricably changed. It not only became more public and therefore a greater target for law enforcement, but was also less likely to draw upon more intelligent recruits as traditional discrimination against Italians abated and other opportunities opened up to second and third generation Italians. With rare exception, they stopped attracting the cream of the crop.

All time Boss might well be Frank Costello. He may have been too weak to keep Vito Genovese away, but there's little denying that the organization itself would likely have been better off with Costello's connections and diplomatic skills to leverage them.

Accardo is a great pick. Gambino would be a great pick also.

In the modern era, Massino prior to turning rat deserves a mention, although he ultimately disqualifies himself. Vito Rizzuto doesn't get enough credit. Where even high-achieving Mafiosi would be looking to make millions, Rizzuto looked at rackets and thought about how to make billions. Then he did it, while unquestionably running a whole city and keeping the peace between rival factions and buying off all levels of government for two decades - and never once did he hesitate to pull a trigger. Anyone who he decided was an enemy all of a sudden had a very short expected lifespan.

In the here and now, probably only Barney Bellomo is really worthy of high praise.

I'm not considering any of the Italian bosses in my picks...that's a whole other milieu of which I am not well informed.

Carlo Caputo from Madison Never killed anybody, as it seems...

Richie the boot bioardo! From the 30s into the 80s ran north jersey, home base in Newark and built the best mansion ever in Livingston. Took on zwillman then teamed up with him, worked with everyone and the story goes he eliminated his enemies in an incinerator on his property! There’s much more and the book The Godfather garden is an excellent source of info.

mine would be Chin Gigante and Benny Squint for the Genoveses; Carlo Gambino for the Gambinos obviously; Gagliano, Lucchese, Tony Ducks for the Luccheses;

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Eight decades at the top? He died at 86. I'm guessing math isn't one of your strong points.



Benny Squint is the right choice here

John Gotti low key lol are you serious?

Not sure what my answer would be. This is kind of like asking what's your favorite kind of cancer.

I mean a criminal career that spanned eight decades from the 20s to the 90s.

You actually picked a good name. Made money. low key. lived a long, long healthy and productive life. Was the BOSS. had a hefty property portfolio. Never a violent guy. Doesn't look like he ever really killed anyone (no blood on his hands or heart), and died in his own bed with his shoes off. and..... Never served real time to speak of (30 days in jail). WOW!!

THAT'S a successful career in my book!!

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EXCELLENT picks and an even MORE excellent synopsis of the mafia landscape of the 20th century. My HIGHEST COMPLIMENTS!!!!! I really mean that. Rarely do I find someone who is as eloquent and descriptive in their explanation of all things Mafia.

You could be my "consigliere" anytime! lol

John Scalish.
Only gave the red light for 2 "hits" in.his 32 year run.
And by accounts was very anti-narcotics.
And plus he was hands off with alot of rackets that most
Bosses had a firm hold over

What about Paul Ricca? Dominated the Outfit alongside Accardo until his death in 1972

Favorite kind of cancer? OMG, That is too funny! .Best answer yet !

. Lenox loves Gotti lol. Even though it’s widely agreed upon he was an awful boss

I think Lenox must be kidding here. Because between Gotti and Basciano I couldn't tell you who was more flashy and in your face. Both were hazards to the life. And thats putting it mildly.

Much appreciated, my man. Love your work. Would happily serve as your Consigliere - but I'm not 100% Italian!

I don’t think he is kidding. Every time I make accurate criticisms of Gotti he refutes it 😂

Santo Trafficante Sr. and Jr.

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Eastside, we'd have to make an exception for you. Lol.... you could be like Tom Hagen to my Vito Corleone. Who was a better consigliere than him? Lol

As a internet hardo I dont play favorites 😄 but big paul got whacked but not doubt ran the commission maybe because he had the strongest underboss from when they open the books[debate] 76 till he got whacked and or his underboss died. That guy like I read a Mickey scars interview article would kill guys over nothing. Gotti atleast made a reason

Big paul ran the family in the right direction he just didnt play his cards rite. Got the rug pulled rite out front his feet? Is that the saying.

Big paul had everything in nyc. Just read the book on his wiretaps. Didnt he even say why isn't sparks steakhouse kicking us some money. And got whacked in it 4 yrs later

Theres no big paul and his White House tapes theres no commission case and or gotti and the downfall all from there. I know everyone's hates the what ifs me including but paul picks frank deccico or jimmy brown maybe ramone he doesn't get whacked