i read a bio of Carlo Gambino and noticed his daughter named Phyllis (Felicia) Sinatra. was she related to Frank Sinatra the famous singer in any way?

No relation. Gambino´s daughter was married to Thomas J. Sinatra, a doctor of medicine who sat on the board of directors of the American-Italian Anti-Defamation League, a forerunner organization to Joe Colombo´s IACRL. Among the board members were Anthony Scotto and Dr Mario Tagliagambe, both Mafia members. Frank Sinatra and his Hollywood friends often performed at this organization´s fund raising parties and events.

What was the title of the biography you read?

When you coming to America you should fly in for the 4th of July at Tags house

What's the story with this doctor that was a mafioso? Not something you hear about every day, especially not in the US.

He was a Bonanno member who probably found refuge with Gambino during the Bananas war. Another doctor or dentist connected with the Bonannos, was Greg Genovese (Bonanno´s son in law). He may have been a fully inducted member. Another one was Dr Philip Noto (died in 1984, so don´t confuse him with somebody else) who was either a made guy with the Genoveses or the DeCavalcantes. In the early days, many fully legit people like doctors, lawyers and business men were made guys. Informants in the 1960s have mentioned that also some priests were among their ranks.

Thanks, Hairy. Wonder why a legit guy like that would join. Doesn't seem like they would need the money. What would they bring to the table for the family. Wonder if there are any legit guys made today (like docs, lawyers, etc).

I think it's very sleazy how criminals and killers in the mafia have celebrity cheerleaders. No names - we all know several.

Believe it or not, but back in the day the Mafia was not only about the money. It was a secret society where all members benefited from "networking" with eachother, a philosophy that helped the members gain privileges in their community. A member always has to help another member out whenever he can and to the best of his ability. In many ways, the early Mafia was much like the freemasons. Today of course, the philosophy of the Mafia mostly revolves around money.

Who are they besides Mr. S? I think that he sort of had to like them or be a friend if you know what I mean.

Oh. They had dirt on him?

I'm thinking James Caan and some of the guys out of The Sopranos off the top of my head.

Even the great Al Pacino is pictured laffing it up with a ranking mobster (rare photos thread I think).

Yes, the other members of the rat pack were "friends" as well but again I think they sort of had to be as they owed their careers to la famiglia as you know who owned the casinos, theaters, and other venues they preformed at. I thought this was common knowledge though about Mr. S, and the others doing private performances and being promoted in Casinos, etc.?

I don't really pay attention to the other people you listed so I did not know they were like that. I watched some of the Sopranos but not every single episode or all of the seasons.

Some of my Italian/Italian-American friends found the show and the characters very offensive and quasi-racist caricatures or bad tiresome stereotypes of Italians/Italian-American people.