Who Was The Original Godfather | Sitdown with Michael Franzese

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When asked who I think is the most successful Cosa Nostra mafia boss of all time in United States, I have a guy in mind and today I will share who that mafia boss is. Who Was The Original Godfather
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#MichaelFranzese #MobStoryMonday #CarloGambino

[@LaReginaPatrizia]

From my mob research, I would have to agree with you that Carlo Gambino was the greatest among the mob bosses. Although, my personal favorite is Lucky Luciano because he put the organization into organized crime.

[@krayzeejojo]

Beat me to it. Luciano’s bootlegging during Prohibition was on an unimaginable level.

[@theravagedgrapefruit8190]

@@krayzeejojo I personally like Owney Madden

[@sanjoaquinvalleytransparency1]

Giuseppe Morello

[@gutz323]

I would have said Luciano too.

[@chickengod9184]

100 percent Luciano.

[@jamesgladwell6967]

Joe Bonanno 37 years a boss , an original boss from the start of the 5 families , did not get whacked , "retired" to Arizona ( probably still pulled a few strings ) and passed away old and with his family . I would say that was a good run in that life

[@FreePalestineJahRastafari]

Molt likely intervened to sedate disputes but not on a commission seat

[@szymonkunda2197]

Yeah, he was successful but he was de facto kicked off the mafia, I wouldn't say an ultimate boss would be someone who gets kicked off

[@jamesgladwell6967]

@@szymonkunda2197 yes he was kicked off , mainly because Joe Colombo did not carry out an order to whack people when told to by his boss , but instead ran and told the targets , but that is that life all over . People talk about the rules , but how many bosses got there by breaking their own rules . Gambino plotted and killed Anistasia Genovese did Costello , the list goes on all the way back to the start of the comission

[@johncooper3636]

Joe Bonanno, intelligence-wise and educationally was head and shoulders over all the other dons historically. Bonanno referred to Gambino as a ¨squirrel of a man!¨ Gambino and Genovese were two of the architects of the Apalachin debacle that was held in the same location as the last commission meeting a year prior. I´m not questioning Gambino's overall acumen, but for me Joe Bonanno was the biggest and brightest. The first real international don who at one time was worth over a billion dollars. I agree with you James. An opinion only.

[@jamesgladwell6967]

@@johncooper3636 To become a boss in your mid twenties and not by killing your own boss speaks volumes , unlike most of the snakes and squirrels that came later

[@CoffeeFuelledGenius]

Earliest I’ve ever been, love your channel Mr. Franzese. You and your team make really amazing content and the stories you tell will live on forever. I’ll be showing my children this channel for sure one day. They’ll learn much about respect and what it is to grow as a person, you’re a wonderful example of that. God bless.

[@als1023]

Same

[@davidgonzalez5044]

@@michaelfranzese can you talk about mayer lanskey cause a lot of people say that he brought the mafia to another level in the business aspect

[@JustAdude291]

​@@davidgonzalez5044 I believe he has where he talks about famous Jewish gangsters. It was Lansky who saw cosa nostra as a business and (therefore) should be ran as one. He was apperantly smart as a whip. Lucky Luciano and he were close friends and if I understand correctly, he gave the ideas to Luciano to organize it into the 5 families/commission/decentralized power, the model that we see today.

[@AristotleSanchez1000]

@@JustAdude291 I think his father also said that the phone is as cop

[@JustAdude291]

@@AristotleSanchez1000 ?

[@brandonpotts54]

I think it's wild that at his funeral elected officials and high ranking police officers turned out to pay there respects. Just digging into his past and how he came up the guy truly understood how to move the chess pieces across the board. To me him and Lucky represented everything that was romanticized about the mafia by the public who was on the outside looking in.

[@ryanmanley389]

"The number one responsibility of our government, on a federal and state level, is to keep it's citizens safe. And when your failing in that, your failing in everything." A breath of real wisdom in a world that seems to have gone mad.

[@davidbarton1806]

You forgot another part not to be ruled by Foreign governments🇮🇱👹 either We the people are not in control of our government if you can't see that you really need to wake up and look into what's really been going on these 60+ years

[@HKNYN1]

Easy to say when only one group of citizens have ever been protected by the police. Spare me with the BS please.

[@ryanmanley389]

@@HKNYN1 I will spare you nothing. And what group of "citizens" would that be?

[@ryanmanley389]

@@davidbarton1806 I see many things. And I don't need to "wake up" to understand history, I'm living in it.

[@jackedkerouac4414]

This felt like an audiobook. Great visual storytelling Michael, thanks

[@ironcurtainboxing]

Carlo Gambino just seemed like the smartest guy in the room.

[@Frosty98206]

"You have to be like a Lion & a Fox If you are Like a Lion & a Fox No will ever be able to beat you" Carlo Words to his Soldati's.

[@xxthesarcasm]

Tony Accardo of the chicago outfit is probably the smartest mob boss. Never spent a day in prison.

[@bklynslipnjimmy]

Definitely brother

[@thesmugsmuggler5143]

Yeah, if you haven’t seen it, the making of the Mob Chicago was a good one on him

[@latnassacin]

My words exactly! Longest tenured, stayed in the shadows, died of natural causes!

[@puppetmaster706]

Yea he was for sure even more than Gambino bc Michael’s never talked about him so you know he respects him and secretly knows hes #1, but I respect the fact he stays loyal to NY.

[@jamesharen8607]

Yea I would agree that not ever going to jail probably meant he was espicaly smart as to how he played the game...but i don't think going to jail neccarily indicates others that did wernt just as smart if not more so...when it came to the mob in the 20th century, espicaly with Rico act and whatnot...going to jail didn't neccarily have anything to do with what you did or didn't do and you may not have been able to affect that outcome much if at all...i think that every mobster did things that could of got them sent to jail, if you look at it like if they wernt committing any crimes then you wouldn't be a mobster, just a well connected business man...but not every mobster went to jail...and just like Mike here's father, he went to jail but on trumped up charges not directly for a crime he actualy committed...but that sentence kept him off the streets where he would likely of committed legit crimes he may have or may not have been charged for...they clearly wanted him locked up so I imagine he'd of ultimately ended up in jail for something wether the charges were legit or not...I think there's a damn good argument for Mike here to be on or near the top of that list..being from the Era it was much more difficult to avoid jail on Rico than it was for another capo that existed say in capone's Era or before...and who knows what it was that kept a few of these guys from ever being locked up..maybe they wernt all that smart or savy..maybe they just got lucky or had some ace in the hole we don't even know about

[@btter710]

watching your videos is like I'm sitting down talking with my Grandfather again. thank u for doing these videos and others where u tell stories of what u experienced and knew. God bless!

[@cowboysfan782008]

I knew it would be Carlo and agree 100%. From the late 80's through the early 2000's I probably read 30 "true crime" books, mostly related to the Italian Mafia, and I was especially interested in the period from the late 60's to the Castellano hit in late 85', so I studied that period 1st, then went all the way back to the start of the I M, in the very late 1800's into the 1900's. IMO Lucky Luciano was one of the smartest mob figures, in how he played both sides with the 2 "Mustache Pete", old school black hand guy's, (Masseria & Manzano?)then got rid of them and formed the 5 family system. Vito Genovese and later Albert Anastsia were (IMO), 2 of the toughest bosses, and Carlo was definitely the #1 most effective boss, "while also being the lowest profile" Don, and that says' a hell of a lot about how well liked, respected, "and feared" he was. With Gotti I'm surprised he even lasted as long as he did, and being that Neil Delacroce was his mentor, and a "true", La Cosa Nostra figure through and through, I guess Gotti didn't take very good notes during his apprenticeship.

[@dominicjefferson3229]

Michael you have to do a video on Tony Accardo! Very reputable like Gambino in the boss position for sure, even after he retired he still had major play in the mob politics in Chicago

[@roymunson1]

Tony was arguably the greatest Mob boss of them all. He spent one night in jail his whole life. Check out the video where they subpoenaed to testify. He handled every one of them with ease and frustrated them into giving up on him. Easily up there with Bonanno, Gambino, Luciano etc and it's a testament to how he operated that hardly anyone knows who he is!

[@kschmidt1975]

I have to agree Joey Batters the Big Tuna . And Sam Giancanna.

[@nomobties]

The downside is Michael had one business meeting with Arccardo that didn’t pan out. So if he’s to do a profile on the man he’d have to research like us.

[@James_Edward59]

@@roymunson1 He’s also from the Chicago outfit though and the 5 families in New York was always the governments main target. Had they been focused on Chicago like they did on New York, I’m sure it would have been a different story especially because there were so many more members in New York which also means more people to get in trouble, more power, more money, more crime and many more members who had a lot of knowledge and information and who would talk or get caught up by the Government. When there’s that much more at play, it’s much much harder to not get caught or killed eventually. Take a gang with 5 people and then one with 100 people, which one would be easier to stay in the shadows?

[@sirdudebrian4026]

You should do a video on each American cosa nostra family

[@MrXryz]

After a long day there's nothing better than receiving a notification from your channel! Great video as always, thank you and have a good week!

[@DonnaGM49-]

Just watched this KZbin video Michael after a long day. As always great information and your honesty is quite becoming. You say it as it is. Growing up the way I did still keeps me from getting a good night's sleep. However your KZbin videos helps me to understand what I experienced and eases the anxiety a bit. I would like to know if you would give your review for the movie "Gloria"? The actress Gena Rowlands was the main character. Her husband, John Cassavetes, made the movie specifically for her. God bless you and your family in the week ahead and thank you for all that you do. Can't wait to taste your wine!

[@pereirafernando7413]

@@michaelfranzese I think the reason Feds wanted criminals to know they're there stemmed from the Sam Giancana case. They followed him anywhere, everywhere and it just irritates him. It got so bad you could say they were borderline harassing him. As a stereotypical mob man, he has a short fuse and was eventually caught on tape.

[@billbergendahl2911]

Tony Accardo, the boss of the Chicago outfit, could be in the conversation as a successful mob boss. There were five families in New York but only one in Chicago.

[@josephsierzengaIV]

Tony Accardo was the most powerful and influential LCN Boss of all time💯

[@ericjewell9151]

He was the boss for 40 years and I think I read somewhere that he only spent like one night in jail I don't know whether that is true or not

[@josephsierzengaIV]

@@ericjewell9151 yea… no longer than 1day at a time💯

[@aaronmontegrande8640]

And also remember the notable guys under his umbrella

[@rupertpupkin2660]

And Tony Accardo I believe was never charged with a crime right?

[@donnagolder7893]

“You’ve got to do the right thing.” Lord have mercy on us all. Love your discussions.

[@TheMotownPhilly]

My grandfather was full blood Sicilian and I have relatives that were... he said he had an opportunity to be a part of that life but chose to stay out and keep it straight. His uncle told him that was the smartest thing he ever did.

[@smacksmack5976]

I had the same experience

[@kurt6410]

I'd put Carlo Gambino at the top. Carlo did it right. He flew under the radar and wasn't flamboyant. In his 50 years in the mob he only served 22 months in prison for tax evasion. He died old and free.

[@maximomgwadira1687]

Took the words right out my mouth

[@roymunson1]

Don't forget about Tony Ducks Accardo. He spent 1 night in jail and ran the outfit for a long time. He has an incredible story and is right up there with any mob boss.

[@digenesakritas1107]

@@roymunson1 Tony "Batters" Accardo not Ducks.

[@roymunson1]

@@digenesakritas1107 my brain isn't running on full steam sorry. Another testament to big Tuna that i could f up his name trust me, because I think I could write a biography on him. Feel so embarrassed by saying that lol

[@roymunson1]

@@digenesakritas1107 the "where did you get the nickname batters from" at his subpoena is legendary.

[@Abruzzo333]

Carlo Gambino was so smart, he forbid people mentioning his name at meetings. It's also said that he wouldn't speak at meetings for fear of wiretaps but would instead only nod his head.

[@markparkinson6947]

"Always say less then necessary." -Law 4 of the 48 Laws of Power by Rob Greene.

[@chrislaverick6413]

I mean it is smart, or how chin made it so that you could only acknowledge him by pointing at your chin, that’s actually brilliant because it’s pretty much impossible to incriminate him on wire taps if you can’t mention his name

[@bigsurge5906]

The Nose

[@OdintheGermanShepherd]

Interesting stuff, as always great video.

[@joemurdoch4138]

You should do a netflix documentary series on the history of the mob. Your knowledge and your presentation is mesmerizing. I could listen to you for hours.

[@hilaviogutierrez2588]

Check out "Fear City" on Netflix Michael has his part in it.

[@blanketdtf]

@@hilaviogutierrez2588 Fear City is great. i loved how they put it all together and kind of set a rivalry between the FBI and Mob guys with how they set up their interviews, how the mob got away and operated and how the FBI was trying to stay one step ahead by any means. I believe Mike is also in the works of setting up a tv show surrounding his family (Franzese, not Colombo) but i’m sure the mob has a great impact on the show

[@natashalawes6038]

Carlos was the day of Astute examination . You are the day of of driven dedication.

[@pogo7465]

Just in from work, perfect time to sit down to a sit down. Enjoying your content as usual, Michael. Thank you for the education, God bless.

[@peterpellechia5985]

Michael,why did you delete my post.it was the truth and someone else says something similar to what i said

[@pereirafernando7413]

@@peterpellechia5985 ?

[@peterpellechia5985]

@@pereirafernando7413 hello

[@pereirafernando7413]

@@peterpellechia5985 hello.

[@wlittle8908]

Micheal im a new subscriber and ive followed your story for several years and found it fascinating. Your videos are addictive and very uplifting but what i love most is your Christian calling. Your video of how you came to Christ while you were in prison should serve as testimony about the forgiveness and mercy God has for everyone no matter what you did in life. May God bless you and your family in all that you do. Have a wonderful day.

[@markparkinson6947]

I'm an atheist myself, but I can relate to the lesson of learning to be forgiving of oneself, and Franzese's story proves that anyone can be redeemed if given the chance, teachings and opportunities to do so.

[@wlittle8908]

@@markparkinson6947 I wholeheartedly agree.

[@ThePc-DjHub]

Great content from you Michael! Very fascinating hearing these stories from a man that actually lived that life and survived to tell the tale! Hope the family and the business is doing well sir ! Changing your life style regardless of who you are, be it a mob guy or just an average Joe on the street is very difficult so much respect to you.

[@MotivateLearnTV]

I love your initial background music...it takes me to the classic mob days scenes...

[@Siege181]

Stumbled across your channel by accident but am now hooked! Very insightful video and have to say you’re brilliant to listen to

[@tonysalamone5458]

I agree 100% I'm suprised more ppl dont do more videos about Carlo Gambino.....Great video Michael.....but I thought Vito Genovese died of a heart attack in a prison hospital?

[@christianfrangie59]

He's got that one wrong. Carlo gambino didn't kill genovese

[@shoryukenxx]

@@christianfrangie59 Yes. Luciano, Costello, Lansky, and Gambino worked together to set up Genovese to go to prison and finally get rid of him. They all turned on Genovese at that point. Lucky Luciano gave Gambino his blessing. I believe I saw that on The Making of the Mob: New York or The Making of the Mob: Chicago.

[@CNR666]

Not many videos are done on Carlo Gambino because very little was known about him. He was the most secretive of them all. By the time the public heard about him it was a few years before he died. He was the smartest of them all. An under the radar figure who ran the whole city. If he was alive in the 80s I think he would have survived RICO. He had more connections than a subway line and always made sure not to be implicated in anything, even jaywalking. He’d be furious with figures like John Gotti for making the Mafia a public spectacle. No doubt he is strangling him in death for ruining the Gambino Family.

[@andrewshepherd5249]

Absolutely love your stories. I've always been interested in the history of the mob and it's stories from former members and current members.

[@pashanoble9359]

Carlo was already made in Sicily. He came up under Don Vito Cassiofera. Him, Johnny Torio and Tony Acardo are three bosses that come to mind, as the greatest Dons in US history.

[@timsmith1323]

Yeah his family was entrenched in the mafia over there his older brothers were mob guys as well in Sicily apparently

[@danlaichalk1709]

I thought of Accardo as well

[@jacksonbohm8610]

Exact 3 I thought of as well … I’d say accardo overall based on how long he reigned directly or indirectly but torrio definitely was incredibly smart and undoubtedly a mentor of Accardo indirectly because Capone was Accardo’s boss who learned everything he knew from Torrio

[@FEWGEE1]

Luciano made the mob what it is today. He created the five families and the commission.

[@timsmith1323]

@@FEWGEE1 he came up with the concept yes but it wouldn’t have worked without those who ended up in positions of power

[@paulmento8326]

Well said Michael...as always, GOD BLESS!

[@abdulsarker9836]

I can listen to Michael all day. What a well-spoken guy!

[@shaniazimmerman3922]

Love your videos Michael! They definitely keep me company and are great to listen to while I truck drive!

[@pereirafernando7413]

@@michaelfranzese You could check out OC Shortz. Quite a young British guy who is surprisingly well-researched about American Mob stuff.

[@brianpoirier1623]

Mr.Franzese thank you so much for the message you have sent you have changed my life as I have been involved in orginized crime in my life to support my family which recently cost me two years of my life in prison which I served on which severely hurt my family and myself.I am from long island NY and after listening to your speech you have changed my life.I am currently searching for ligitimate employment and have given up my criminal past thanks to you as you have inspired me so much.By the grace of God I will succeed.Thank you so much for your inspiration

[@aftercarecarez]

Two years of spaghetti 🍝 wars!! Good luck and best wishes! Stay positive and don’t give up when they try to stick u with that worthless Felon label!!

[@jwristen24]

Good luck to you Brian. May God be with you.

[@michaelkenney3288]

Hello Michael! We loved seeing you at Andiamo’s. Our Detroit LCN had some long serving bosses, Joe Zerilli and Jack Tocco. They both led the Detroit Combination for over 40 years each.

[@josephsierzengaIV]

Mike should Know… Anthony Zerilli married Joe Profaci’s daughter and so did Anthony Tocco.. Profaci’s daughter.! Shows how well the Detroit Family was respected, being a NY Boss proposed his daughters to the Detroit Family!💯

[@josephsierzengaIV]

Sonny Franzese was likely at those Weddings! They were a big deal in NYC in the early 1950’s!

[@patriciahardaway3899]

Mr Kenney : my goodness I'm right here so u th of the W. 8 Mile Rd. and Telegraph line and never even thought to mention Vito & Billy Jack Giacalone, related to the original Motor City Don's , " Black Bill " Tocco and Anthony Zerilli, the original founders of the Family. It has been said that their capos were urged to marry young women who were the sisters, cousins etc of other Made Men, in order to contain and keep the info re the Family within the family with blood ties . The only time in the last 50years when a lot of attention/news reports re: Detroit LCN had to do with the period of time surrounding the "disappearance" of J R Hoffa. So I think the 2 original Don's qualify !

[@Bob-ew8gn]

Michael.....I was a musician who worked playing in orchestras for frank sinatra, Tony Bennett, Liza Minelli, Jimmy Roselli and many others. I worked the Copa and may other places throughout New jersey.....I always have found that the wise guys loved the musicians....they loved to hang out with us back stage....what are your remembrances about the the orchestra guys......love your show!

[@felton2843]

Hey Mr. Franzese, just wanted to say I appreciate your content. I met you back around 2010-11 or so at Troy University. Very powerful speech. I wish you well in your growth and prosperity. You’ve inspired many, and I hope you continue to do so.

[@AlkalineAjay]

Tony Accardo maybe is a consideration for this as well? Big Tuna was around since Capone all the way until the 90s.

[@roaringsilencedr24]

Hey! I gotta say, I don't really understand why, but I'm morbidly fascinated by the stories you tell and more importantly how you tell them. I'm with you, it shouldn't be glorified. I am a firm believer that it should be known at the same time. I think you do this very well. You tell the story and you follow up with follow up consequences to these stories. Keep up the great work, man.

[@frogmanpipes9561]

I really enjoy topics like this. Could you please do a video of guys you didn't like? Or any plans for a video about the mob in Italy/Sicily?

[@harrythecreator1]

This is my fav channel hands down

[@russellbyrne-j3b]

I think Tony Accardo was the greatest mob boss. Made Vegas what it is, Got a president elected, Died in his 90s never spending a day in jail.

[@doncarlogambino2902]

At the start, when you mentioned the names and left out Carlo, I just knew it was going to be him. Thank you for your support 😊 p.s, he had Anastasia killed to take over, Genovese also knew of the plot.

[@declandonald1974]

That’s what they say apparently it wasn’t even gambino but 3 of Alberts captains arranged it but who knows

[@nickcaprio8257]

Was hoping to hear about Tommy Lucchese hopefully he’ll be in a video to come! He was legit very similar to Gambino.

[@EBR1]

I have always considered Carlo Gambino to have been the smartest of all the bosses. Like Michael said in the video, Carlo understood the importance of keeping a low profile. He also understood how to manipulate situations and conflicts into being so that he could then benefit from the outcome. He was a brilliant strategist. R.I.P Don Gambino.

[@kennethwilliams8240]

@E.B Roast Wasn't "The Chin" doing the same thing? He was keeping a low profile and i thought him playing crazy was genius.

[@mipapaioan6991]

Your advices are useful rules for every business. Loyalty, dedication, discipline, staying below radar etc. help to survive in the difficult modern business environments.

[@frankmalunga8529]

Thanks for sharing. Perfect stories to learn from and very interesting to listen to your stories.

[@tonyawhitley2657]

Great video Michael! Always love the Gambino stories! Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Cammy! See you Thursday! God bless!

[@jono8884]

I think you would have to consider Tony Accardo for both longevity, success and no prison......he ran The Outfit for 30 years.

[@anthonytony8328]

Yeah, Accardo is my pick. Accardo's GREATEST Success is keeping his family Out of the life. Heard he has 2 Grandsons the are playing or played in the NFL.

[@montecristo7527]

@@anthonytony8328 Nick Bosa plays for the 49ers idk about any other tho

[@dondajulah4168]

Exactly what I was thinking

[@dondajulah4168]

@@montecristo7527 Joey Bosa is a pretty damn good player too

[@dondajulah4168]

I would also give the edge to Accardo based on body of work. If I am not mistaken, Chicago controlled most of Vegas and had a lot of influence across the Midwest. Not that money is necessarily everything, but I would be surprised if Gambino accumulated more wealth than Accardo.

[@wewantwraiths7713]

Love your content and anything that features you Micheal! Your an absolute legend! 💯

[@danhill5619]

Thank You Michael ,I have always been interested in Aniello Dellacroce , maybe a future show

[@peterp2kkabunda198]

Beautiful story from the man who really experienced it. Awesome

[@giuseppe2395]

Carlo was dignified. He epitomized the godfather figure. When I first heard the 'godfather' term , I imagined someone who defied brashness, ostentatiousness, fame, volatility. There are a plethora of bosses mentioned over the last century and quite like his nature, he has, posthumously, remained under the radar. If anyone brought the mafia admiration, it was Don Carlo. Graceful infamy. Olives and Anchovies make a man

[@eliv721]

Joe Zerilli and Jack Tocco of Detroit as well as Tony Accordo of Chicago had longer reigns as boss than Gambino

[@declandonald1974]

This is what I mean it’s not about being the boss for 20 plus years that automatically makes you the most successful I would say you need to take the full thing in to account and without Luciano there would be no no organised Cosa nostra but as for the bosses Luciano and Frank myer and gambino were the best chin aswell but in the 20s to 50s was really Luciano and Frank and myer with Gambino eventually rising to become the boss of his own family as he was good at making money

[@F28aj]

They had longer reigns because the feds where focused on the 5 families. There was more influence power money and members in New York. NYC controlled MAJOR unions that affected the entire country. Other than the Outfit the rest of the families in america are small potatoes comparatively

[@keitht47]

Amazing content and insight as usual. Where would you rank Anthony Accardo? Former driver enforcer for Al Capone in the 20's, who later became boss of the Outfit in Chicago. Never spent a night in jail!

[@jordancooke5980]

EXACTLY. Tony Accord The Big Tuna aka Joe Batters

[@mikeohagan2206]

stay low key and stay free, its on page three of the boss manual. thanks for a great lesson michael.

[@cherrypickerguitars]

Very good pick, and super hard to disagree with. 20 yrs on the top! Amazing. Lucky L is my guy, though - seeing things completely from the outside, through the lens of “his-story”, novels, movies and modern documentaries. I LOVE your insights in to “the life”. You speak with the authority of true experience. Peace (I’m an Irish Canadian in my mid 60’s, with family ties to the Irish in Montreal and in the “old country” during “the troubles”.)

[@TasteTestTitan]

Carlo Gambino was without a doubt the true definition of Cosa Nostra.

[@erik1836]

I like your channel Michael. I am about as far as a man can be from "the life" you lived. I was married to my late wife, Alex, for 22 years 3 months and 17 days and, took care of her for all that time while she descended - due to MS and Manic Depression - in quadriplegia, mental incompetence and incontinence. And all that time I was faithful to a fault to her never once straying. So, when I ask the question I am about to ask please realize that I am sincere. How does a man, as obviously intelligent as you are, get into "the life"? I realize that to a young man it might seem glamorous but did you ever have any misgivings, any hesitation, doubts about the rightness or wrongness of being part of that world.

[@laneh2000]

He said he left medical school to help his dad get outta prison, so he joined the family business

[@swarley1981]

Hey Michael, love all your videos. Great to have inside perspective as we get so much misinformation about Cosa Nostra through the media. Being from Canada, just wondering if you have any thoughts on the Rizzuto family or more specifically Vito Rizzuto?

[@NowhereMan5691]

I waited so much for this episode. Thank you :))

[@elliesimpson1313]

Excellent video!! Your wrapup is terrific

[@omarmontes90]

Hi Michael, big fan of you work, read your books and seen your interviews. I actually just now found out you had a youtube channel because of an interview I was watching with you in it. Wanted to say thank you for continuing to spread the wealth of knowledge you have. It's fascinating to hear your personal experiences.

[@johnstahlman9767]

Speaking of powerful mob bosses of the past I'm honestly surprised there hasn't been a movie on Giuseppe Morello. He was first mob boss in the USA or at least in NYC. Ya figured someone would've done one by now

[@jamiegormer1010]

I think they only make movies about gangsters that advertised the fact they were gangsters , If they made a film about gambino ,they wouldn't really have much story line to go by ,the likes of gotti ,and Al capone.had there films scripts written by wire taps and eye witness testimony,where gambino only met with trusted people ,and all conversations where in code ,The only luxury that gambino flaunted was his license plate ,which was cb1

[@thureintun1687]

being first doesn't make it the greatest Yahoo comes in before Google, now where the f is that thing?

[@tinakelly8384]

Hi Mick there is a good argument that Tony accardo from Chicago outfit he never done a day in jail and was in power for decades

[@geofre44]

My opinion is Carlo Gambino and Tony Accardo. Great channel!

[@khelmikyahvyer6000]

Your story is such an inspiration, anyway my favorite mob boss is Lucky Luciano not because of the crimes he committed but because of the swag he always dressed up nicely

[@thezephyr7083]

I listed to the audio book about the life of Frank Costello. Really interesting “read”. I would put him in the Top 3 all-time crime bosses because he tried to stay under the radar. He ultimately failed in that goal…but he tried to always be reasonable in business dealings. And, he died of old age as a free (albeit somewhat broken) man.

[@frankg8120]

Mr. Franzese, could you maybe explain how relationships were between crews in a family? I've heard you have loyalty to family, but many stories I've heard, you have to worry more about other crews in your family. Was that maybe more dependent on what family you belonged to? Or was it the same across the board? Thanks for your great videos

[@zroy9263]

As a mafia historian, Carlo Gambino is always going to be regarded as the most successful and influential Don in history. However, Lucky Luciano also has to be mentioned because of the fact that he created the five families and the commission! Meyer Lansky also should be mentioned, although he was part of the Jewish syndicate. The man was responsible for creating Las Vegas! He was heavily involved with Luciano and the formation of the Cosa Nostra. Tony Accardo was also a criminal mastermind as well. He ruled Chicago like a true boss of all bosses. The businesses that The Outfit were involved in were mind boggling! You made a mistake Mr.Franzese, it's CAPO DI TUTTI CAPI. Not capo in the end. If I'm not mistaken.

[@1lthrnk]

I figured you would have said Charles "Lucky" Luciano

[@zroy9263]

@1lthrnk I completely understand! However, Luciano was imprisoned and then deported back to Italy. Whereas Gambino died peacefully in his bed on Long Island as the Boss of Bosses. He also built an empire that was only challenged by the old Luciano crime family aka the Genovese crime family and the Chicago Outfit. Gambino wins in my opinion through power and longevity!

[@grandmama05]

I enjoyed this video Michael. God bless you and your family.

[@rtate69]

Great story. It would be interesting to hear about Peter "The Clutching Hand" Morello.

[@ChicagoTRS]

My pick is Tony Accardo - no jail time ever, died a free man, ruled over the Chicago Outfit when they were running the country. His family got out of the life and have had very successful legitimate lives. Accardo rules the Outfit from the 50s to his death in the early 90s.

[@tomjones5650]

Joe Batters

[@IPlayOneOnT.V.]

Accardo is my pick too. But, he was the Outfit's top boss from 1943 to 1992, when he died. Also, it was said Accardo, "never spent a night in jail," not was never locked up.

[@RKsolid5586]

@@IPlayOneOnT.V. I don't know if we could call him the Outfit's "top" boss during all of those years. He reported to Paul Ricca for some of those earlier years and shared supreme power with him at least until 1970. What set Accardo apart from Ricca, was that fact that he never spent a night in jail. Accardo would be my pick as well. Accardo and Ricca, following Ricca's imprisonment and pressure on Accardo by the IRS, understood the importance of staying in the background and letting others (Giancana, Aiupa) make the day-to-day decisions.

[@IPlayOneOnT.V.]

@@RKsolid5586 With all due respect, either you don't know enough, you don't read enough, or you're just a fugazi yourself. Paul Ricca and six other Outfit guys got convicted in the 1943 "Hollywood Extortion" case. Ricca went to Leavenworth for that. From that point on Accardo was installed as the boss and was known from that point on as Chicago's top boss with the final authority in that family. However. there were reports that when Ricca got out of Leavenworth he shared power with Accardo. Look it up. I've read that over and over about the Outfit.

[@seansmith7462]

@@IPlayOneOnT.V. he was not the top boss, Paul Ricca became boss in 1931, he brought accardo in as his under boss in 1947. Ricca promoted him to co chairman in the late 50's and didn't become the sole power until Ricca retired in 1968

[@SirLuciferVampiro]

I know Chicago will always be second to NY in terms of Cosa Nostra but.....Idk Michael, there's a guy by the name of Tony Accardo who ruled Chicago successfully for close to 60 years. I'd probably put him up there with Carlo Gambino too....

[@seansmith7462]

60 years? Doesn't add up, more like half that. Become co boss with Ricca in the late 50's. Took over completely when Ricca retired in 1968. Stepped down as Chairman in the late 80's

[@SirLuciferVampiro]

@@seansmith7462 Him and Ricca pretty much have a partnership throughout their lives, a true partnership, they were never ever rival. Accardo became boss in the mid forties when Ricca went to jail. They both essentially ran the family from that time onwards throughout the 50's and 60's often time using front bosses when they want to step back from the limelight. Hell they were so close, they had breakfast together every morning for like decades. As Ricca aged in the late 60's, Accardo became sole ruler, and ran the family until he died in the early 90's.....So essentially from the 40's till the 90's, if you hear any names as bosses other than Accardo or Ricca, they were just front bosses.....

[@consciousness3975]

Love the breakdown Brother!!! Life is about lessons and finding balance…. Love Vito and Micheal’s portrayals in the GodFather …. Low key is key

[@markwils5042]

Michael, you are an excellent speaker !!

[@moshesett8580]

@Michel Franzese You are super positive, you are a blessing. The creator had to be with you during those times to make it to this time to speak about it in this time

[@AllAmericanAJ]

I’ve researched this history for a lot of years. And, I have to give the title of greatest boss to Carlo Gambino. But there is a very close second maybe even a tie who also ran his family successfully. Tony Accardo during his years running the Chicago Outfit ran it with an iron fist, and brought in more gambling money than any other boss. Like Gambino, he kept a low profile and he only ever had one conviction for tax invasion that was overturned. He passed in the early 90s at age 86, one of the few mobsters who died from old age.

[@hynzlee3382]

The only thing tony have win against don carlo is he outlived him but doesn't mean anything my guy cuz don carlo is more powerful. The gambino crime family is way more powerful than Chicago outfit and they have vast influence not just in new york but also in italy and have several big businesses in American continent. plus don carlos net worth alone stands in a whopping 400 million dollars and that is equivalent on billions of dollars today.........

[@AllAmericanAJ]

@@hynzlee3382 The Outfit held territory outside Chicago as well though, and arguably had a greater influence in Las Vegas than the Five Families in New York. And as far as power goes, New York per Lucky Luciano was divided among the Five Families to keep them from killing each other. Tony ran all of Chicago, in other words he had monolithic control unlike the Five Families who carefully worked together to construct their empires. I would compare to this, Carlo Gambino was the J.P. Morgan of the syndicate. Tony Accardo on the other hand was the Henry Ford of his time. Both successful with each having a slightly different approach.

[@hynzlee3382]

@@AllAmericanAJ that's why i say don carlo is ebove everyone else you know why? because he even compete with the 4 other families which are more powerful than Chicago outfit don vito genovese alone is probably enough to sacred and intimidate thw whole Chicago not to mention he is more violent than tony accardo cuz he even killed the real husband of her cousin wife and killed albert Anastasia a powerful boss and wellknown in the whole america. Btw and meanwhile tony accardo on the other hand don't have someone to rival with him let alone compete to his throne so he have an easy way coming up to top without problem not to mention he is al capone trusted man back then ....

[@AllAmericanAJ]

@@hynzlee3382 A thought then, imagine if Accardo had been in charge of one of the Five Families instead of head of the Outfit. Had he and Carlo had the opportunity to work closely on the Commission, their empires would have been much larger. The most violent boss isn’t always the best, and Carlo Gambino as well as Accardo was definitely not overly violent compared to Vito Genovese or Gambino’s immediate successor Paul Castellano. I put Big Paul high up on the violence spectrum because of Roy DeMeo being his number one hitman. Again, this is a very opinionated subject, but it’s a debate worth having.

[@lions2798]

Awesome story Michael - love hearing all your stories, I’m based in Melbourne, Australia and I can say you have heaps of fans here 👍🏼

[@ChicagoMobTrials]

Tony Accardo was the best Mob boss in my view, similar to Gambino

[@paulmalpus3133]

Been looking forward to this one Michael enjoyed this one, been working night shifts didn’t see it till late 🤦‍♂️

[@cahg3871]

What a breath of fresh air you are concerning crime and the role of government to protect its citizens Mr.Franzese..All the best to you and your family.I subscribed just because I respect your way of looking at life.✌️

[@HalfmcHalfguinea]

Why no mention of Tony "joe batters" accard?? Was the boss of the outfit for 50 years. Didn't do 1 day in jail. He was the greatest boss in LCN history.

[@bklynslipnjimmy]

He ran the Outfit till the day he died

[@F28aj]

If the outfit was in New York they would have locked him up like the others. The FBI went full force at the 5 families. The RICO started being used the way it is now because of them. The NY families where involved in much more and controlled most unions in ny and nj. There was also 5 families competing. Chicago had 1 organization and was run differently. The Outfit isn't very Italian In the way Cosa Nostra is.

[@chuckydall9250]

Your forgetting Tony"Joe Batters" Accardo he ran the Chicago outfit on and off until he died in 1992 he never spent a night in Prison!!

[@christophertaylor9100]

Its pretty likely he actually ran the outfit continually, with front men every so often.

[@chuckydall9250]

@@christophertaylor9100 He definitely did from what I understand when a Boss would got to Prison he would step back In as boss then pick a new boss and retire again but that boss had to run all major decisions through Tony. He was a very impressive guy he Tuna fished with Ernest Hemingway in Cuba.

[@VAcreeper]

As a sociology minor, the key to judging or, analyzing the true culture, is to judge them on the codes and morals of them in their time… So to say how Gambino would or wouldn’t have done in the 80’s or 90’s is a moot point

[@loumarin9366]

FROM MIAMI...THANK YOU MICHAEL

[@ricardogil2738]

I like ALL your sit downs be safe GOD bless you and family and the world

[@danahall7119]

I love listening to you Micheal your a great story teller very interesting & informative thank you sir !! I will continue to see your excellent videos !!

[@clubambassador3845]

I thought he was going to say Charles "Lucky" Luciano. On top of putting all the families together, he is the only gangster to cooperate with the government and not sell out anybody. He actually became an American hero that helped the allied forces win the war. Got his freedom an ran things from Cuba for awhile. He should have asked for American citizenship. He saved the world.

[@johnnyoldenjr.]

My thoughts exactly. Nobody compares to that at least to me.

[@kiraxproductions3852]

The one who ran cuba was joe bonanno, lucky ran Las Vegas after fidel castro took over cuba.

[@marcus4532]

Mafiosos who cooperated with the government without giving anybody up: Luciano, Lansky, Giancana, Accardo, Bufalino, Trafficante, Marcello, DeSimone (a lot of them did). Luciano was released, then exiled to Italy where he spent his life before (most likely) getting killed in the airport in Naples because he was going to break omerta and make a movie about his life. I don't know where you have gotten all that terrible information mate. He did not run things from Cuba, he went there once for a meeting but was deported pretty quickly when the US gov found out.

[@marcus4532]

@@kiraxproductions3852 Joe bonnano did not run Cuba, He was exiled to Tucson (Arizona), still ran his family in New York and the regime in Canada, He did not run Cuba, The Other mafia fathers hated Bonanno. The ones who had the most influence in Cuba was probably Lansky, Bufalino and Trafficante. Also Luciano had no influence in Vegas, A lot of families were in Vegas but the one with the most influence there was probably the Chicago outfit.

[@johnnyoldenjr.]

@@marcus4532 luciano died of a heart attack

[@TommyTheBull87]

Thank you and your crew for another great episode. I enjoyed this video, I agree it is sad how blue states have to suffer because of the soft on crime policy's.

[@ogbuzzy1974]

Much love from the Buscemi's Michael. Love the videos

[@suebowman7258]

I like this channel. Thank you for sharing and displaying the names.

[@christophertaylor9100]

I always saw Tony Accardo as the most successful and impressive mob boss: never busted. Never caught. Died of old age, virtually unknown

[@hynzlee3382]

Yeah its true he outlived don carlo but don carlo is more powerful and you have to remember that the gambino crime family is way more powerful than the entire Chicago outfit and don carlos net worth alone stands in 400 million dollars which having an equivalent of billions of dollars today.....

[@amandajaydexo]

Carlo Gambino was the only mafia boss to die without ever spending a day in jail from what I've seen. He was VERY intelligent. I loved learning about the history of the Mafia families and where they came from. 💯

[@pascalwajs8567]

Tony Accardo too 👍

[@victorialiao4695]

Yeah Tony Accardo

[@TinoFiumaraBeats]

Love your channel Michael, but Gambino didn't killed Vito Genovese. Carlo was the underboss of Anastasia, and he planned the hit with Vito in order to take power.

[@jacquelinekraynek6300]

Outstanding! I’m hooked !!! ❤️💕

[@bernalsilva]

michael is brilliant person. super articulate

[@vajraman2067]

Gambino was the ultimate "Gray Man" and in that regard he had the same level of discipline in his daily life that is required by and of any "spook" in the Intelligence Agencies across the world.

[@SJL30]

SONNY FRANZESE was and is the OG badass mobster. Very good at staying hidden and secretive while still getting his shizz done. True Badass

[@timsmith1323]

He was widely known and spent years in prison so can’t really say he did well staying hidden

[@SJL30]

@@timsmith1323 yea after he went to prison he started getting tracked and followed alot more like while he was out on parole. But before then in his 30's and 40's he did pretty well for himself

[@timsmith1323]

@@SJL30 he’d been in prison by that time more than once and was part of hoovers hoodlum list in his 40’s so not quite true nice attempt at a recovery though

[@SJL30]

@@timsmith1323 My bad I tried to recover, lol obviously I'm no Sonny expert. It's all good though I appreciate you correcting me. I thought he kept pretty quiet and that was why Michael always says he was framed, because they couldn't get him on anything legit due to him being to smart and staying out of the spotlight. So I read into that the wrong way. I do think he is a stud for outliving his sentence and getting out of prison at 100 yrs old.

[@luciano-km7mq]

I'd say it would be Carlo Gambino with Tommy Luchesse trailing closely behind. Of course Magaddino of the Buffalo family was the boss for over 5 decades.

[@djscotch2253]

This is why I would like you to talk about the movie Mobsters. Everyone you mention in this video is portrayed, albeit poorly, in that movie. But wow, what a cast.