Arnold “The Brain” Rothstein: The Founding Father of Organized Crime

[@Biographics]

Play War Thunder for FREE on PC, PS®5 and Xbox Series X|S: wtplay.link/biographicswtbonus. Follow the link to download the game and get your exclusive bonus now. See you in battle!

[@SimonTekConley]

I am having trouble downloading it to my dreamcast

[@everydayhero5076]

If anyone in internet land plays WT and wants to squad hit me up.

[@TealWolf26]

I think Raid Shadow Legends has been supplanted in the marketing and sponsorships.

[@sentinel858]

All hail the snail

[@Neville60001]

@@SimonTekConley, it most likely isn't for a system that old as the Dreamcast (although I must admit, it's a great system that never got its due.) One question I must as, is how are you playing it on a current TV set?

[@mostly_insane2291]

Michael Stuhlbarg’s portrayal of Rothstein on “Boardwalk Empire” was phenomenal.

[@derka346]

SIMON LOVES CHEESE PIZZA 🍕😋

[@gravedigger1187]

Yes!! Best character in the series just because the way Stuhlbarg played him.. Love it!!

[@stoneharper7038]

Yep! He stole every scene he was in!

[@johntaylorson7769]

...Only to die offscreen, barely mentioned. A travesty for one of, if not the, best character in the show.

[@mostly_insane2291]

@@johntaylorson7769 I agree. Like most great shows, the final season left me a little disappointed. B.E. Is still in my top 10 list tho

[@richardpatton2502]

“A better class of criminals…politicians” That’s one to remember All the best to everyone

[@andersjjensen]

Yeah, that one had me in stitches! Classic Simon moment :D

[@dillongage]

Crooked politicians. If you're gonna quote people, do it accurately.

[@wellthen.......9384]

​@@dillongage news flash every politician is crooked nobody is 100% clean your crooked I'm crooked your next door neighbor is crooked what's important is the caliber of crookedness

[@jlshel42]

Irish ones at that

[@superdude899]

When the police asked who shot him, he said "Your mother" and died. At least he wasn't a snitch.

[@maximusorbis2548]

Chad

[@ricopaulson1]

The thing was it really was the cop's mother who did it. No one believed it as anything other than him being a wise guy. And a little old lady got off to kill again.

[@Ruosteinenknight]

Funny how best known examples of Omerta are non-italian gansters. Another such example was when Frank Gussenberg was put full of holes in Saint Valentine's Day massacre. Police asked dying Gussenberg who had shot him and just replied "No one....nobody shot me."

[@derka346]

SIMON HAS A LITTLE WEINER

[@pookispalaceoflove6518]

He actually said “My mudder (mother) did it” This is easy to find out, Superdude89 , and Rico, you just made all that up from thin air, why lie ?

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

Boardwalk Empire introduced me to a lot of these criminal types, I will admit I was surprised when Oswald Moseley popped up on Peaky Blinders

[@helenkessler6012]

That was a great show I named a rooster Nucky .

[@exspiravit6920]

I remember when Boardwalk was just coming out and we were all hyped up because Buscemi (and other casting) was the lead......Now it's been over for how long? It's crazy.

[@TheGeneral_LUFC]

I just finished season 6 of peaky blinders. If u haven't seen it, wait till u see why mosley wasn't killed. First episode is amazing

[@magicmillz]

Watched the whole show during lockdown and it's genuinely one of the best tv shows ever produced

[@timsmith1323]

Peaky blinders could be so much better if it historically correct

[@ethanramos4441]

“Some days I make 20 bets. Some days, I make none… so I wait, plan, marshal my resources. And when I finally see an opportunity and there is a bet to make, I bet all” Arnold ‘The Brain’ Rothstein

[@michaelsinger4638]

The man who (probably) fixed the 1919 World Series. He was a genius for numbers.

[@topdawg182]

Not “probably” it’s been proven he scammed the MLB lol even the players that were in on it got caught it was an entire scandal at the time

[@osco4311]

You do not have to know the numbers at a genius level when you know the real odds, but it looks like it didn't hurt!

[@bezllama3325]

Hal Chase was a even more crooked Ballplayer than all the Black Sox Combined

[@thedevilluis]

He was one of my favorite characters in Boardwalk Empire. Always with a fake smile and playing the game perfectly until his gambling addiction got to him.

[@Ruosteinenknight]

It's probable they would've shown Rothstein's death, had they not needed to wrap up the series in a hurry(final season made a time skip to thirties, as I recall).

[@ntnrocket1]

@@Ruosteinenknight It would have been interesting to see how they portrayed AR's death. It's fairly well documented, so I wonder if they would have stuck with that or if they would have taken license with it.

[@jamesmckeon9139]

The actor was great in dope sick as well

[@gaiusjuliuspleaser]

"You know what the nice thing is about the Bronx Zoo, Charlie? There's bars between you and the monkeys."

[@jamesmartin6050]

Future Video suggestion - Eamon DeValera (1882-1975) - prominent political leader in 20th century Ireland who, after the Irish war of independence from 1919 to 1921, was in the public eye for over forty years from 1922 until his death were he served as head of government (Taoiseach) and head of state (president). He was nearly executed in the Easter Rising in 1916 and was key in putting into place the new constitution on 1937. A very prominent Irish figure and one of the most important in Irish history.

[@technicalout9547]

Michael Collins was really the more accomplished republican. I’d love to see Simon do his biography.

[@ronnieince4568]

James Martin -de Valera was not Irish -he was a Cuban American born in New York who immigrated to Ireland ..The President of Isreal was actually Irish as he was born there .De Valera was what the Irish actually call - a blow in !!

[@ronnieince4568]

@@technicalout9547 yes and Collins was actually Irish !!!

[@danielponder690]

Michael Stuhlbarg brilliantly portrayed Rothstein in Boardwalk Empire, a man of refinement and smarts, but held tight to his ideals - despite being the mastermind of a criminal underworld...

[@trukeesey8715]

Most likely reincarnated 900 times as a deformed and bullied heroin junkie. Same way Luciano, Schultz, and all of the other dealers.

[@schultzedits8321]

Rothstein was definitely one of the most interesting and terrifying people during his time. I mean it was the first they would see of something like what he did.

[@adamparker3151]

He got shot and killed like some little boy though, if he was really at the top he wouldnt have died owing money to somebody.

[@nosuchthing8]

Was he in the godfather movies?

[@schultzedits8321]

@@nosuchthing8 No, he died in 1928. But I don't know if he was portrayed in the movies.

[@nosuchthing8]

@@schultzedits8321 yes, agree. But he reminds me of the guy running the casino in the movie of the same name.

[@schultzedits8321]

@@nosuchthing8 Yea

[@michaelquinn8584]

"Mr. Doyle, why am I talking to you?" "Ehh...because you called me?" "Yes, but why am I calling you? Why is this even occurring?"

[@Leotv1948]

A lot of people think the team was called the “black” Sox due to the scandal, but in reality they had the name well before the scandal. The owner was so cheap, that he made the players pay for the washing of their own uniforms (a bigger insult due to the low salaries they had). To protest this, the players refused to pay and in response the owner refused to get the uniforms washed. This caused a standoff which led to extremely dirty uniforms. Their White Sox became black, and the nickname was born.

[@theawesomeman9821]

I thought the scandal was just a plot device from the film "Field of Dreams"?

[@Leotv1948]

@@theawesomeman9821 it was actually created by F Scott Fitzgerald in 1925 when he included mention to it in the Great Gatsby. His hope was to inspire W. P. Kinsella to write “Shoeless Joe” because he knew that it would someday be adapted into the movie “Field of Dreams”. That was his best bet to see Kevin Costner play a farmer who meets the Ghosts of his fictitious Black Sox. Sadly F Scott Fitzgerald died in 1940, some 49 years before his long con finally came to fruition

[@scottkrater2131]

I'd recommend 8 Men Out, on the Black Sox scandal. The story has been out forever.

[@vincenttrudell782]

The irony of that was Comiskey played in the Players League in 1890 which was set up because owners were paying even less money.

[@erikjrn4080]

@@Leotv1948 Few people know that, due to his untimely death, Francis Scott Fitzgerald couldn't introduce Sharon Rae Tedrick and William Costner to each other, as he had planned, but tasked his wife with taking care of it. Ultimately, the task fell to their daughter, Frances Scott Fitzgerald. So, in a twist, Sharon Rea and William were introduced by a F. Scott Fitzgerald, after all, and little Kevin was born, as planned. Long cons have twists and turns.

[@kamilkowalski7035]

About two years ago I came upon this channel and since then I've gradually been making my way through all the videos, from first to latest. Now after long last I've finally gotten to the end, the last video published. It's been fun - though I do wonder how much information I've actually retained. I might have to check the oldest videos again and see what I remember.

[@OGRH]

2%

[@liamtaylor1973]

Casino is my favourite film so this provided a lot of good background info. Top work

[@helenkessler6012]

Yeah that was a great film. Epic. I used to work for Bally casinos. You wouldn’t believe the stores. I went to work one morning with $24 left in the bank. Rolled in at 10:30 pm drunk as a skunk sprinkled 6k on the coffee table in front of an obviously pissed spouse and sashshayed my butt to bed. Nary a peep.

[@raptorfromthe6ix833]

casino by martin scoercesi?

[@keningall5404]

Yet another incredible story and as always extremely well presented thoroughly enjoyable

[@ignitionfrn2223]

2:10 - Chapter 1 - Early years 4:40 - Chapter 2 - A budding entrepreneur 8:20 - Chapter 3 - Rothstein goes big time 12:00 - Chapter 4 - The black sox scandal 15:50 - Chapter 5 - Highest of highs, lowest of lows - Chapter 6 -

[@ShallowApple22]

Thank you 🙏

[@nicholascorbett1256]

Hello, this is my future self dropping by to say, like normal another amazing video! Your team should be proud of the level of quality videos you're able to churn out consistently! Any time a conversation about KZbin comes up, I always highly recommend all of your channels. Thanks for the free education!

[@HXXIIA]

Yeah but what if this video was actually not good?

[@Slacktionman]

@@HXXIIA no no no, you are supposed to give this guy the fickle vanity he is craving. Stop talking sense and give him attention

[@christopherfanelli8821]

@@Slacktionman That’s quite an insightful take on some random comment on KZbin. How did you gain such wisdom?

[@Slacktionman]

@@christopherfanelli8821 I have been through hell and back, aka KZbin comments

[@pamelamays4186]

Suggestion: African American crime bosses of the 1920's and 1930's. Two films have been made about this subject. "Harlem" and "Kansas City".

[@dcbandnerd]

Thank you for reminding folks why the 1919 White Sox did what they did. Their nickname, Black Sox, came before the scandal since they came from a protest of Comiskey's policy to charge players for their laundry. Baseball was, and continues to be (especially in the minor leagues) a rough business and guys like Comiskey make it that way. As you said, it's a wonder it didn't happen before.

[@ntnrocket1]

People had been trying to fix the WS for a few years before 1919. But no one had the resources and connections that Rothstein had.

[@Valmontst]

You are absolutely correct; they refused to allow the team to charge them for washing their team uniforms, and, a result, began to play in dirty uniforms, which included “black looking socks”, hence the nickname.

[@jessicajujubean5004]

Seeing that thing about the Black Sox makes me wanna watch Eight Men Out.I love that movie.

[@samakrosario5546]

Absolutely a great Movie, and I feel one of the most underrated movies ever.

[@erikjrn4080]

"He died letting the world know that Arnold Rothstein was nobody's sucker" That has to be the biggest sucker move, ever. The irony is almost as painful as a gut shot.

[@JStryker7]

Pretty much… he could have walked away from it all or gotten back at them. Instead, he died for nothing.

[@yashailani9547]

Will see this now but pretty sure this will be one of your best videos! There are a lot of interesting mob figures you can do these videos on like Carlo Gambino!

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, former Gambino family capo [correction: underboss] turned KZbin star, says there are two types of organized criminals: gangsters and racketeers. Rothstein was the racketeer's racketeer. Someday you should do a story about Gravano. He pled guilty to involvement in 19 murders and that's just the ones he admitted to. He most famously engineered the hit on Paul Castellano that made John Gotti boss of the Gambino family. Now, he's one of the best storytellers on KZbin and he remains basically unrepentant of his past life.

[@adamparker3151]

He was the Underboss. Not capo

[@anthonyarcanumsanctumregnu9551]

Let's not forget after getting out he becomes a huge drug dealer while in witness protection selling hundreds of thousands of dollars a week work of extasy and got and did 20 years in prison anyway which he did so he ruined the Mob along with John's own mouth and does a life sentence anyway getting paroled at like 72 lol

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

@@adamparker3151 you're right. Misstatement on my part.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

@@anthonyarcanumsanctumregnu9551 just a minor correction: Gravano left witness protection in 1995 and got into the drug business sometime after that. Not sure what you mean about the life sentence, unless you meant Gotti.

[@algini12]

Actually, I thought Sammy gave and got immunity for those 19 murders in exchange for his testimony.

[@jellysharkbat]

I love these gangster bios. Early mobster history is so interesting.

[@Aboz]

I've been binging Boardwalk Empire and really enjoy their version of Rothstein.

[@Dank-gb6jn]

Humbly requesting George Carlin. A comedian and satirist who oftentimes hit the nail more than just on the head; and whose bits were infinitely more than just satire. The guy was a comedian, satirist, begrudged philosopher, and even the narrative voice of Thomas the Train.

[@iandhr1]

YES YES YES.

[@EShirako]

Carlin was always 'savagely-honest'. It was delightfully-painful, and he was just amazing in so many regards. For the rest of my days I will recall him as the man who taught me how to say something using almost ONLY the F-word and a bit of intonation. "F the F'ing F'ers," and stuff. Not lessons my mother would have encouraged me to seek out, but enlightening nonetheless! Also...Thomas the Train?! I had no idea. That's funny! ...which, I suppose, is 50% of why he would have taken the task on. He does have a good voice for oration, however!

[@Dank-gb6jn]

@@EShirako Carlin is one of my comedic heroes along with one of my top free-speech icons along with Larry Flint. I wouldn’t say Carlin was the one who “taught” me how to get my points across with swearing and some voice inflections/intonations; but he was certainly one of the ones who helped me understand that the puritanical and über stuffy ways of speaking aren’t the ONLY ways to get your points across. Also, YES! When I learned of Carlin working on Thomas the Train I was flabbergasted, but also quite intrigued as to why he took on the job. I’d also agree that his voice is perfect for oration and narration.

[@elamentri]

Seconded. Ratshit batshit dirty old twa.......

[@kraanz]

As far as I know, Thomas the Tank Engine was voiced by George Harrison.

[@montydendron1]

Liked the piano jazz...

[@honourisnotbought.4225]

I'm really interested in WW2 history. Could you please a video about Albert Speer, the armaments minister of Nazi Germany who was also Hitler's close friend. Many thanks! Love your videos!

[@robdon3472]

Need a shoutout for Michael Stuhlbarg for his awesome depitiction of The Brain in Boardwalk Empire

[@sonsprinter]

He was such a great character in Boardwalk Empire

[@trukeesey8715]

Most likely reincarnated 900 times as a deformed and bullied heroin junkie. Same way Luciano, Schultz, and all of the other dealers.

[@uncleiroh6127]

As soon as I seen all those ad skips in the loading bar I typed this and then promptly found a different video

[@nadousha22]

Wow. I just stumbled upon your channel. I am sooooooooooo impressed. I love your content. Keep it up😍😍😍😍 @Biographics

[@bobthompson4319]

He was in casino!!! Lol. Robert di niro played Sam Rothstein

[@sadface6635]

Simon! Can you put these on streaming services as a podcast please?

[@chasepressley2408]

I'm addicted to learning now. Thanks a lot...😑

[@alanbrooks2237]

Many learned about the 1919 ‘Black Sox’ game from ‘The Godfather’. Michael visits Hyman Roth, who tells him that he had liked baseball “ever since Arnold Rothstein fixed” the 1919 match.

[@GBGSK]

Waited a long time for this one 😍!

[@MynameisMikeee]

Growing up in New Jersey, I was always told Jimmy Hoffa was buried under The Pulaski Skyway.

[@nathanraymond7525]

Nate Raymond?? That's me!! Thanks!!

[@gruntsffs1]

Another excellent piece!!

[@domlongjohnson]

Tbh out of all the the games people sponsor this one is fun I got into it recently.

[@mysticx0]

wow erie, pa gets a mention!

[@Aboz]

Would Enoch Johnson be worthy of a Biographics? The real life inspiration for Nucky Thompson of Boardwalk Empire.

[@timsmith1323]

Yes he would for sure he lived a hell of a life that would make a great biographics

[@brendakrieger7000]

I never get tired of these mafia stories😎

[@domlongjohnson]

"Creepin around like a dentist with ether"

[@TheEvilCommenter]

Good video 👍

[@roberthoff6670]

do one on the gangsters connection between rock island IL and Chicago's al capone

[@gfunkmadness]

Creeping around like a dentist with ether!

[@joshuasill1141]

I remember hearing this tidbit about the 1919 Black Sox: many of the ball players came from Southern farms and barely had any type of education. Most couldn't read or write. Some of the smarter players asked for the money to through the Series up front however the rest were told they'd be paid after the Series. The ones who waited never saw a dime. I'm not sure if Joe Jackson had really agreed to the scandal or if you was just guilty by association. He had decent stats with a .375 batting average, .455 slugging percentage, and a .388 on base percentage, scoring 5 runs, and knocking in 6 RBIs. He also a 100% fielding percentage, 16 put outs, and 1 assist. It was suggested, suggested mind you, that there were some balls that he might have had a chance to catch but didn't "run" hard enough to get them or that some of his throws may have been off target, kind of akin to points shaving in basketball. But all that, if true, could have been over compensating for the other players who were throwing the games, or sometimes you just have a bad throw, a sprain or tired legs, or a bad day.

[@fourscinmcgee3703]

Now this is what I’ve been told by family members over the years and a weird saying my great uncle had, but I’m almost certain in some way my great uncle was on his payroll for bootlegging. He got busted once and within the hour of being arrested was released. He always said “it was the ol benefactor” and said nothing more than that. Plus he lived in Maryland at the time so close enough to New York to be in on it. Again, could be wrong but given he was the main player in bootlegging in the area and my great uncle got instead of a probable year in prison, under an hour of irritation I think there’s some truth to it.

[@ajmoras6914]

Maryland close enough to new York? And "It was the ol benefactor?" It could've been any underworld boss in the area that held sway with the police

[@MindofUhuru]

Great Review!

[@Bozar069]

I wish the world series was still best of 9 games. That sounds pretty amazing.

[@TheHarmmm]

Do a video on Titanic Thompson. Classic character.

[@nebojsag.5871]

Yet another time reality was stranger than fiction.

[@janeallgood9833]

even though it was based on other guys, I'm guessing his namesake was inspired for Casino.

[@j.a.weishaupt1748]

Please do one about one of the three William of Oranges. Or all three.

[@michellelewis9519]

Mr Rothstein love to do stuff out of class

[@kalmykdude]

When he cheated he expected to be paid. When he lost he refused to pay. Bye bye.

[@littleblackduck3134]

Wow Simon you really went all in with the beard ,I'm not a patreon but how about a history of beards

[@muziklandhq2882]

PeASE & Luv! Thank u 4 this information Sir.🙏🏿💚🔥

[@jessicajujubean5004]

He was one of those guys who could snap his fingers and get anything he wanted.

[@tomshady3530]

ROFL, 25% interest was a loan shark back then. WHAT AN AMATEUR compared to credit card companies!

[@devellwinston9756]

Is there any great books I can read about Arnold Rothstein?

[@americanpaisareturns9051]

Boardwalk Empire put on a good show using many of these famous mobsters.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

For the first three seasons, anyway.

[@rongarrett1366]

As long as you're doing Arnolds you should do a biography of Arnold the Pig.

[@briandoss9232]

Well. One way to go.

[@jaquesspot]

Humbly requesting a video on great American voice actor Mel Blanc. 👏 he was so influential to alot of people growing up, his rolls might surprise you

[@yoshu2]

I would love a video on Babe Ruth

[@ChamonixHouse884]

Seems like the type to creep around like the dentist with the ether.

[@muhammadaffanalbasithuxiii19]

Can you make one carlos the jackal

[@SG-rb8kx]

Can you do a video on prohibition....maybe on mega/side projects

[@Ethan7s]

Roths...tein? Interesting take.

[@williamearle6281]

Reminds me of the community's previous contributions to transforming usury into international finance, tying the loose strands of crime into a tapestry.

[@josecalderon4879]

Lmao just say the joos lol

[@hustlegrindboy]

One of histories first reported examples of when keeping it real goes wrong 😂

[@alkirk6]

I've heard Rumours that Arnold Rothstein is even atleast partially the inspiration for Red from The Black List

[@FearlessP4P1]

I love how William shea was vindicated about rothstein

[@harrisonmiller6475]

Can you do 1 on Anthony Bourdain?

[@finlayfraser9952]

Sidereal, side-ear-ial surely? Of the distant stars.

[@pamelamays4186]

A fictionalized version of Arnold Rothstein appears in the film "The Great Gatsby".

[@taylorboyd865]

Has he done one on Tammany hall

[@itsJade360]

Same day as my dad ! And mr Al Capone

[@SodyPopInSpace]

Skip to 1:14

[@lordofthefart301]

Will we getting the channel that is fictional version of biographies? Get to see the life of say Harry Potter or the Sherlock Holmes

[@tiffa808]

I hope so.

[@daivdbenson411]

You should do an episode on Owenie Madden

[@round105]

You should do the bio of the man who had the casinos. The guy they based that movie casino.

[@em1osmurf]

38 special is a smith & wesson model number. it is caliber .357.

[@trukeesey8715]

The star called "satan's head" began in NYC's latitude when the Sephardim arrived, and reached the exact minute the year of incorporation. Any wonder, then, why the chosen of satan had ruling there? Copy/paste into KZbin's searching field: SONG "ARE YOU READY" 1/1

[@chasehedges6775]

Well, as the saying goes, you have to start somewhere.

[@cameronetchells2804]

Try doing a video on Thomas Sankara, the former President of Burkina Faso, and the "Che Guevara of Africa"

[@ericdahlstrom1021]

How bout joe Zerilli or tony jack giaccaloni as future bios? Tony was one of the last people who seen Hoffa alive

[@CoalMnrsDotr]

After watching Boardwalk Empire I became interested in Rothstein. A fascinating and odd man.

[@darkchocolate1083]

How about one on General Norman Schwarzkopf(led collation forces during the Gulf War)?

[@WNYfellow]

Who is the actor who portrays Rothstein? This information is not given here - nor is it available on IMDB.

[@nolancarte6015]

He is in the Great Gatsby, but under a different name

[@nujabeslistener]

25% interest made him a loan shark? He's got nothing on banks

[@OPPOSMITE]

How were the gangsters of the past any different from anyone of our politicians today.

[@ebeneezerscrooge2942]

Whenever I try and gamble or bet the guys usually just take me for all I’m worth so I’ve grown into a shrewd businessman.

[@pault1964]

I live in the uk I had a holiday in New York and stayed in the same hotel two mafia bosses were murdered different name now was very nice