John Gotti Balloongram -- Spy Magazine

A balloongram is delivered to John Gotti, the boss of the Gambino crime family, by a clown wearing a bulletproof clown suit. Not long after this was shot, Gotti was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of racketeering, 13 murders, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit murder, illegal gambling, extortion, tax evasion, and loansharking. Features appearances by Peter Gotti and Little Joe at the Bergin Hunt and Fish Club.

[@doncoleman3307]

"Next stop, the Gemini lounge"

[@RazPerignon]

💀

[@discrij6073]

Then Final stop the fountain avenue dump

[@robertragolia744]

Last stop lol

[@altagraciaadames3483]

Then the triangles 🔺️ club cross town

[@MyG1609]

That's super funny I would be like I quit the show bud you can go

[@robertthomas2601]

The guy who took the balloons, Norm Dupont, is serving life for murder. He was a Gambino associate who ran the Ravenite. The first guy at the Bergen Hunt and Finish was John's brother Peter who eventually became boss of the Gambinos. He died last year I think.

[@tracysimmons3860]

They had BALLS!!!

[@user-tg6be7yz8g]

AS BIG AS AN IRISH BROADS ASS

[@shutup2751]

@@user-tg6be7yz8g come on what about my father

[@jakep1979]

@@shutup2751 Lotta Bawlls!!

[@sabonesjones]

"Why would anybody be worried about being dressed as a clown going to visit John gotti wired for sound?" Lmao

[@Dooqx]

Thanks for sharing this. Gives us a rare insight in the social clubs around town in that time.

[@jakep1979]

Social club?!! he's gotta go!!

[@CalloPasta]

I really miss this era

[@tracysimmons3860]

The look on Gotti's brother's face.

[@rubamann]

He looked like just came from the walking dead movie shoot.

[@yankees29]

He died yesterday. RIP Peter.

[@mattiassvanberg3035]

Peter Gotti was the dumbest Gotti.

[@louiscsanko3673]

@@yankees29 My Condolences to Peter Gotti's Family.🙏

[@idubbzz7790]

@@mattiassvanberg3035 lmao looked like one of the 7 dwarfs dopey

[@mattdeinstadt7420]

If John was there he would’ve ate that up. He loved attention

[@bosschedda_]

Lol

[@lhdvg]

But he's not around, he's in 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😂😂😂😂

[@Kal-El207]

@@lhdvg In the studio?

[@rubamann]

John wouldn't have anything but posing for the TV.

[@mattdeinstadt7420]

@@Kal-El207 no not in the studio. I mean if he found gotti at the raven night or the Bergen hunt and fish club

[@panzio21000]

Norman Dupont is serving a life term in Gilmer federal prison in West Virginia.

[@stevenvaldez4057]

He was the keeper of the ravenite I believe. Also I think his aunt was the one where gotti will go talk in.

[@Paier]

"sounds nice to me" lmao i cant believe they did this

[@jpd782]

I can imagine Norman Dupont popping those balloons before Gotti finds them. Then John Gotti catches this episode on TV a week or so later and get's pissed off wanting to know where his balloons are. And arranges for a "Sit Down"

[@georgeloughner4190]

Ya and Gotti says "u like poppin stuff?"Well ur about to get popped!

[@blitzy3244]

HAHAHA

[@TupDigital]

Ol' reliable Normy DuPont!

[@alandemaio3043]

The clown should be on the sitdown to clarify the whole situation

[@musaphakula8639]

Piet Gotti never had the makings of a varsity athlete

[@litttv180]

😂😂😂

[@ChaseGreenGGT]

Kinda funny when you think about how this show shines a light on these guys. It almost like they wanted them to come off as harmless. When every guy in this segment is a killer.

[@shutup2751]

even the clown ? ESPECIALLY THE CLOWN !!

[@wotmate3719]

You know it‘s some serious shit when the criminals don‘t try to act tough and psychotic

[@scpmr]

"who'd whack a clown?"

[@9doe212]

2:16. !!!!! AnD fit em wit Some Cement Clown Shoes

[@ADAPTATION7]

Well, you did have a clown as the President so my guess would be almost anyone. And he wasn't even funny.

[@LeJobastre1215]

@@ADAPTATION7 look in the mirror sometime

[@ADAPTATION7]

@@LeJobastre1215 At least when I'm looking at myself in the mirror, someone good looking is staring back. Can you say the same?

[@LeJobastre1215]

@@ADAPTATION7 you're a funny guy frenchie

[@scottym6680]

They should have taken the balloons to Joey “the clown” Lambardo. Supposedly he hated his nick name.

[@Kiko-sm6ft]

rest in peace Peter Gotti aka Petey Boy

[@leopoz]

One eyed pete

[@thedavisfamily3301]

He was a clown. Peter not the clown

[@eljacko6372]

Aka the dumbest don

[@mule1783]

This video always makes me laugh when it comes up. Anyone familiar with John as a person knows how much of a sense of humor he had, he probably laughed his ass off when he heard about this lol

[@tomc8617]

John Gotti was a Grade-A moron.

[@bena.4422]

Doubtful but okay..

[@Ivna486]

No , John from what everyone that knew him loved the the lime light . And probably would have laughed at this . Now did i know em no . But it’s what I hear .

[@romanceenthusiasm7972]

What's crazy is that the associate actually accepted the balloons, I hope he did it out of a good gesture and to keep the tension and volume down of that outrageous outfit and camera crew, hell i suspect they would have popped the balloons to ensure know spy equipment nor a pipe bomb from a rival wasn't embedded within. Im pretty sure they use to get all types of crazy shit and perhaps they blew it off, but it makes you think how those federal bugs got for the wiretaps, I'm sure they were like nano or micro sized chips embedded into something so insignificant that the human eye couldn't detect at first glance. I agree humorous

[@onesimpletrick]

How did you know him?

[@mikeggg1979]

John definitely would of loved this! One thing about John he had a funny ass personality! My family knew John well they grew up in East NY I remember John as a kid just being a happy funny guy the few times I met him

[@Tarantulisimo]

Yes he's Dave Higgins. He played Craig on Malcolm In The Middle & Joe on Ellen.

[@Robhalifax]

Norman Dupont's sloppiness allowed bugs into the Ravenite.

[@groundshaker6516]

2:04 door closed 2:07 comes out with gun

[@JFKjr-gp7lf]

U right u can tell by the camera movement

[@silkystick1509]

I Wonder if they ever got a chance to see this on TV

[@louiscsanko3673]

( RIP) Mr. Dupont. The Housekeeper/ maintenance guy at the RAVENITE.🙏

[@uuuultra]

He was a hero in this house!

[@Joesdifferent]

Little Joe was hishands to the ips

[@diningroomfish5470]

When was this recorded

[@Psycho0700]

thanks Tarantulisimo i can`t find any information about him on the internet?

[@AdamPaul222]

Is that Paul from the later seasons of Cheers?

[@Lorens198x]

I love the Sergio Tacchini tracksuit at 3:15 ❤️

[@josephkeres4604]

I’m surprised they accepted them into the club. Could have had a bug inside the balloons. Lol

[@jojodawhatle]

thats JoJo Corrozzo outside the Bergin, i used to ride my bike up and down that block in the mid 80's-early 90's. the kid behind Pete Gotti in the doorway is Frank Albano, childhood buddy.

[@Dutc308]

That wasn’t Jo Jo that was John the caretaker of the bergin

[@northernking6610]

The guy in the sergio tachini tracksuit looks like hes straight from the sopranos

[@Tarantulisimo]

Wow, it's so freakin' bittersweet watchin' this, cuz The grand old Ravenite is now "Shoe", & the beloved Bergin is now "PSC Medical Supplies" on 1 side & "Dog-N-Cat House" on the other......There's nothing left. Even Arc Plumbing & Heating is no more. Damn.....

[@johniorio7951]

Yep...and it took a crew of priests a whole week to exorcise the demons at the ravenite...there were thousands of them, they looked like litttle al capones

[@jackzero99]

@Anthony2Times The last time John Gotti was free was December 1990. My guess is that it's the late 1980's.

[@larrybushey9207]

WOW!!! how have I gone my whole life and never knew this happend.

[@jimmybaldwin737]

I know. Same me 😂

[@RM-hg7eh]

When did this originally air ?

[@andyaaron4039]

Shot around 1991 for a pilot for NBC which never aired.

[@jimmybooki4281]

Hey did you loan the doorman at the Bergin social club one of your checked suit coats.You look like twins.

[@nylifestyle]

"spy tv pranks I guess" was dubbed in at the end I wonder what he really said in person..

[@Tarantulisimo]

Uncle John was already locked up, either awaiting trial or convicted, depending on when this was shot. Looks like late spring, /summer in NYC, & Uncle John was sent away in April.

[@bosschedda_]

U dudes are like the police lol

[@energyasylum997]

Props to Dave Higgins for having the balls to do that, because there’s always the chance that “you know who”, can do “you know what”, for pulling that stunt at “you where”! Lol.

[@AhmedM10106]

The balloons were wired for sound loool

[@bk-style7859]

Those balloons were wired for sound....🤣

[@johntate5050]

That clown is a made clown. To become a full member you have to 'make your custard.' That means shoving a custard pie in someone's face.

[@uuuultra]

😂😂😂

[@Tarantulisimo]

This clip is from a failed 1992 NBC TV pilot called "Spy Pranks", a Candid Camera/Punk'd style show. I think they shot this in the summer/fall of '91 or spring of '92. Either way, Uncle John was already locked up awaiting trial or about to go to trial, which is the only reason they had the balls to go through with this "prank". Plus, showing up with a huge crew of people & cameras with big NBC logos on them is an excellent deterrent to getting beat down & great protection from getting popped LoL. Junior was the acting boss at this time, & he hardly ever came to The Bergin or Ravenite anyway, especially not after all the sh*t hit the fan & everybody got locked up cuz of all the f*cking FBI bugs. By this point, the real family sitdowns had been moved & were being held at Jackie Nose's Hawaiian Moonlighters Club 4-5 blocks down Mulberry, which these idiotic clowns had no clue of at the time. By '92, the Ravenite & Bergin were both essentially done as official meeting places, & were basically just hang-outs for the boys, but I'm sure NBC knew that before attempting this stunt. Uncle Peter was just caretaker at this time, & didn't officially become boss until late '99/early 2000, after Junior went away. Thankfully, this pilot didn't work out (because the whole show is/was lame & horrible), but 10 years later, NBC tried the concept again with "Spy TV" featuring Michael Ian Black & Ali Landry. That time it lasted from like 2001-2002.

[@SuperKoreanzombie]

I agree BUT even if John Gotti Sr. Was on the streets during the visit... He wouldn't even touch these guys, John fukin loved the cameras & attention.

[@anonymous-zk3mi]

You wrong. They didn't like stupid ppl

[@Tarantulisimo]

@ yes they are

[@Tarantulisimo]

@ awwe poor hater....

[@Tarantulisimo]

@ and i wish you would stop hating

[@cabagool]

Haha absolutely brilliant this one!

[@keithsstepdad]

only footage i can find of peter gotti, anyone got any more of the gotti family?

[@Tarantulisimo]

They knew it was a pranks as soon as they saw the NBC camera crew

[@MrDts1907]

At least they didn't get harmed. I wonder what'd happen if they'd go to a Crips or Bloodz headquarters with the same prank.

[@c.c.244]

we are 103% clear in wood

[@saucelord780]

By how you sound, I can tell that you’ve never even met a real crip or blood (or any type of gang member for that matter) ever.

[@wotmate3719]

@@saucelord780 Who do you mean? And how are bloods / crips?

[@bosschedda_]

Lmaooooooooooooooo

[@2gunthagunna567]

@@wotmate3719 we nice

[@DatFunnies]

Before instagram there was balloongram folks

[@humanforfreedom9583]

Media was so much better back then

[@ronniekepler6731]

That took some serious balls

[@natemyers4946]

It's a few videos on KZbin filming the ravenite where Peter Gotti pops up lmao

[@richardsmith7322]

Norm! Get me Sammy and Frankie a cup of coffee we’re not leaving till we finish!

[@fingersmcgee2762]

if u listen u can hear music when norman open door at ravenite ,, they say they played the music inthere a little loud so people couldnt be heard when talking,,, i heard gotti was hard of hearing in one ear so thats why he always came in good on bugs because it made him talk loud as a person who is hard of hearing i know what its like ,,

[@Tarantulisimo]

I believe that's Uncle JoJo...Haven't seen him in a while, plus this is from '92.

[@virgil81nz]

That was really cool.

[@tabithiamoore8538]

Thank goodness he lived and was OK, but the site is legendary and now a shoe store. To see it as it was is a privilege

[@c.c.244]

"free Burke * ;"Jeffrey Sanker has something to say to Peter it's on the Jets you know here to *t "Jets!" ba ba ba baa,Peter speaks Courty those certain People hug tie in front of Macys with Pazuzu tagged on there rib cage saying we are 103% clear in wood" Jesus Beau Sharks . . .

[@c.c.244]

*t "I was Jesus Julius" the soul kapasa lives forever that's before it started "us,Asian Gangs ;"

[@TheWassupppp]

Courter Caputo what?

[@copheart]

It's now an ice cream place I think. The owner will give you a tour for $2!

[@theenforcer1977]

Norman Dupont is 59 and serving life in prison.

[@blitzy3244]

What did he do? He seems like he just hanged out by the door at the Ravenite in most of the footage. Also is that really his name? Lmao, sounds like they put a stereotypical WASP name for comedic affect on him.

[@vazdogs7910]

@@blitzy3244 Yes real person and in jail for murder now.

[@TuMalditaMadre]

@@blitzy3244 killed a guy that owed him (I think) $25k

[@yankees29]

Everyone from the neighborhood called the Bergin “the red doors”.

[@Tarantulisimo]

This is from a failed NBC pilot called "Spy TV Pranks". I think they shot this in the summer/fall of '91 & it aired in '92. Either way, Uncle John was already locked up awaiting trial, which is prolly Y they went thru with this prank LoL. Junior was acting boss at the time & hardly ever came 2 The Bergin or Ravenite. This pilot didn't work out as a show, but 10 years later, NBC tried again with "Spy TV" featuring Michael Ian Black & Ali Landry. That time it lasted from like 2001-2002.

[@mafiagaming1847]

Norman Dupont is serving life.

[@yankees29]

And Peter just passed away.

[@Joesdifferent]

Yeah he just died

[@mafiagaming1847]

@@Joesdifferent whaaaa no way

[@Jmatrixxxxxxxx]

I bet once they all got back in the van went down the srteet a little and looked up they would of seen those balloons floating away

[@buto88]

I've heard John actually had a pretty good sense of humor. They may have found it funny and respected the balls

[@Psycho0700]

what is the real name of little joe? can somebody tell me about

[@fucknyoucrosseyed]

Looked like Joey Galo watching the door.

[@brianbrady4496]

Peter gotti opens the door... He just died in prison.. FBI must have been like WTF

[@grantdunn88]

that guy he is speaking too at 3:12 was the caretaker of the ravenite club up until he got senteced to life in prison on a murder charge not long after this. He wasn't a made guy or anything just became the caretaker of the social club

[@buixrule]

That took some serious balls lemme tell ya.

[@aaronhub4949]

You're right, this was shot with a very non-hidden camera and a crew of three people. We figured these guys probably wouldn't shoot someone carrying a camera with a big "NBC" sticker on it. And they didn't!

[@BloodyBamPot]

aaronhub not yet 😮🤭

[@scpmr]

@Pentagon1311 Dupont reminds me of Georgie Santorelli, bartender from Bada Bing

[@christophermoltisanti9629]

Ohhhhhhhhh

[@snake6307]

Is that jojo corozzo in the yellow flannel?

[@othellocampbell6839]

That clown was playing a dangerous game.

[@GVGames1986]

Little Joe who is acting as a lookout barely acknowledges the clown lol. Yeah that was a silly stunt, but very funny.

[@IAmMrQ]

Every balloon got taken out back and popped, then sent to the landfill to never be found.

[@johnalitesbaseballbat8509]

As a person who’s been into mafia stuff for my whole life I love this shit😂😂😂

[@tomc8617]

Shit is right. Stupid as hell. I grew up in that neighborhood and am no fan of the mob. Only young punks and older morons look up to scum like that.

[@Gl6619]

@@jackbrown4120mafia content on KZbin….kind of obvious

[@damienholland8103]

@@jackbrown4120 duh lol

[@nettya151]

Thnks for the vids love watching stuff about the American Mafia just listened to the audio book the westies was great book

[@davguy2446]

Where does Maffie derive from?

[@nettya151]

What u mean Wer did the mafia come from never heard that word b4 derive lol Sicily

[@davguy2446]

@@nettya151 is that how french people say Maffie?

[@davguy2446]

@@nettya151 you wrote in your first comment Maffie

[@nettya151]

Dav Guy opps silly mistake 🤗 Ment mafia that’s how we spell it in England thanks for pointing that out

[@naskabeer950]

Where do you get the balls? I love it

[@Dr.phil12]

I wonder if Norman got yelled at by gotti for taking the balloons into the club.

[@Joesdifferent]

The Gemini lounge would have been funny

[@uuuultra]

They were all dead or in prison by then

[@lordvoldemort578]

how

[@theenforcer1977]

@aaronhub Not 91 he was in MCC waiting for trial in 91

[@mrt445]

Love the fact that back then they didn't care about showing dead bodies on tv

[@billymarino4452]

And the audience was laughing when they showed Bilotti's corpse on TV. Maybe they thought the body wasn't real but still it's like goddamn.

[@CSDonohue11]

Now that’s some G sh!t

[@snakebite2529]

That's awesome

[@heyitsme1534]

Peter gotti was such a goofball. Just a goofy looking dude.

[@BloodyBamPot]

Gotti gets back... “ hey keep em, we’ll use em to disguise our voices at the next meeting”. = most hilarious mob meeting ever

[@derrmann1800]

Peter looked aggravated I think it was best he left haha. Think he only didn't do anything because they were filming

[@crackernumber2]

accept for the old timers like jimmy brown and danny marino gotti also had loyal guys (cept for sammy bull) the fbi coudnt watch him 24/7 and he moved about pretty freely and high profile the press also shadowed him

[@johnnyboymena5736]

What is the name of the talk show host?

[@matiimier8700]

Kevin nelon

[@matiimier8700]

Kevin nelon

[@davidjohn8795]

They might pop me lol

[@carameloxx]

OH WOW WHY WILL HE GO TO THOSE PLACES I USED TO LIVE AROUND THERE

[@Nunya100]

Yoooo y’all got some ones for that. No not y’all the dude doing the clown. Then announced who they were from.

[@jrjr7554]

Is this Dave Higgins/ Craig Feldspar from Malcolm in the middle ?

[@GVGames1986]

I checked IMDB and he is still alive and working.

[@andyaaron4039]

Yes, The very same.

[@sincerity6699]

Omg he is risky .. lol wow, it’s good to look back at the old days now these are memories - Even Ravennite club is gone, it’s a woman’s clothing store - lol

[@emmanuelespataro3139]

I presently work at that clothing store. 😏👙

[@chrisjames2510]

my Papp was a friend of the gotti family but he is dead now at 71 hart attack I never met them but my dad knew john

[@phillymobspot]

ha ha...Best thing iv seen on youtube in a long time.

[@GVGames1986]

This is not something I would do, lol.

[@skx2787]

@SportsItUpCards he says clearly NICE TO ME

[@aaronhub4949]

This is 100% real. One of the people at the club pulled out a gun, and the cameraman bolted.

[@lumpenomewr]

Really?? Holy crap.

[@MegaBadboy26]

What was the name of the show? The host looks familiar

[@eerbilly]

@@MegaBadboy26 That’s Kevin Nealon. He used to be on SNL, back when it was funny. I can’t remember the name of this show for sure, but I think it was something like Prank TV or something similar.

[@MegaBadboy26]

@@eerbilly thank you

[@yankees29]

@@MegaBadboy26 it was called Spy TV.

[@bena.4422]

Dude has balls. 😂

[@stantondavid4435]

I can’t believe homey did that

[@pab1381]

I think they broke little Joe with this lol. Poor guy looked like he had no idea where to look or go 😂

[@GVGames1986]

The way Norm opens the door and the look on his face gives you somewhat of an idea why no one messed with these guys.