Frank Costello - The Real Godfather

Frank Costello, known as "The Prime Minister of the Underworld," rose to prominence in the 1930s as the business mastermind behind Lucky Luciano's crime syndicate. He was a shrewd negotiator and master manipulator who avoided violence whenever possible, earning him the nickname "The Gentle Don." Costello's influence extended far beyond the criminal underworld, reaching into legitimate businesses and politics. He brokered labor deals, controlled horse racing and gambling operations, and had connections to politicians and law enforcement officials. Costello's reign ended in 1957 when he was the target of an assassination attempt, leaving him partially paralyzed and eventually leading to his death in 1973 at the age of 82.