Who was Tony Spilotro? Tony Spilotro, born Anthony John Spilotro, was a notorious American mobster and a high-ranking member of the Chicago Outfit. Born on May 19, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, he grew up in a tough neighborhood where his parents ran a restaurant frequented by mobsters. Spilotro's criminal career began early, leading him to drop out of high school and dive into the world of organized crime. Known for his violent methods and ruthless tactics, he became a key figure in managing the Outfit's operations in Las Vegas. His life, marked by numerous arrests, brutal murders, and eventual betrayal, has been immortalized in books and films, most notably in Martin Scorsese's Casino.
Key Takeaways:
- Tony Spilotro, a notorious mobster, rose to power in the Chicago Outfit and Las Vegas, leaving a violent legacy that continues to captivate audiences through books, films, and popular culture.
- Despite his small stature, Tony Spilotro's brutal reputation and violent career have left a lasting impact on organized crime history and popular culture, inspiring iconic portrayals in movies like "Casino."
Early Life and Family Background
Tony Spilotro's life began in a tough Chicago neighborhood, surrounded by influences that would shape his future.
- Early Life: Born Anthony John Spilotro on May 19, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, he was the fourth of six boys in his family.
- Family Background: His parents, Pasquale "Patsy" Spilotro Sr. and Antoinette Spilotro, were Italian immigrants who ran an eatery, Patsy's Restaurant, which became a hangout for local mobsters.
- Mobster Hangout: Patsy's Restaurant, located at 949 Northwestern Avenue, was famous for its homemade meatballs and regularly hosted notable mob figures like Sam Giancana and Frank Nitti.
- Criminal Involvement: Tony and his brothers, including Vincent, Victor, Michael, and John, engaged in petty crimes such as shoplifting and purse-snatching from an early age.
Rise in the Criminal World
Tony's early brushes with the law set the stage for his deeper involvement in organized crime.
- First Arrest: At 16, Tony was arrested for attempting to steal a shirt. He was fined and placed on probation, but this did not deter him.
- Education: He dropped out of Steinmetz High School in 1954 to focus on his criminal career and later attended a trade school with his brother Michael and Frank Cullotta.
- Marriage: In 1960, Tony married Nancy Stuart, a local waitress who worked in a mob hangout. They had an adopted son named Vincent.
- Mob Involvement: By his early 20s, Tony had become a "made" man in 1963. He was sent to Las Vegas by the early 1970s to act as the mob representative.
Las Vegas Operations
Tony's move to Las Vegas marked a significant chapter in his criminal career, where he managed the mob's casino profits.
- Las Vegas Operations: Tony managed the Outfit's illegal casino profits, known as the "skim," from four major casinos—Stardust, Fremont, Hacienda, and Marina.
- Leadership: He led the Hole in the Wall Gang, a burglary crew he formed in Las Vegas in 1971, notorious for its daring burglaries and violent tactics.
- Violent Extracurricular Activities: Tony was responsible for nearly two dozen murders in Illinois and Nevada, using brutal methods like torture and beatings.
- M&M Murders: One infamous incident involved putting a thief's head in a vise, tightening it until his eye burst from his skull.
Legal Troubles and Downfall
Tony's violent activities and increasing scrutiny from law enforcement led to numerous arrests and trials.
- Arrests and Trials: Tony was arrested multiple times, including in 1981 for a burglary charge. He beat the charges but faced increasing scrutiny.
- Affair and Betrayal: His alleged affair with the wife of his old friend Lefty Rosenthal strained relationships within the Outfit.
- Las Vegas Police Arrests: In 1986, Las Vegas police arrested Tony and other gang members for multiple burglaries, marking the beginning of the end for his reign.
- Murder and Disappearance: In June 1986, Tony and his brother Michael were called back to the Midwest for a conference. Their battered bodies were found several days later in an Indiana cornfield.
The End of Tony Spilotro
The brutal end of Tony and his brother marked the conclusion of his violent career.
- Cause of Death: The autopsy revealed both brothers died from blunt force trauma. They were identified by dental charts supplied by their dentist brother, Patrick Spilotro.
- Family Plot Burial: The Spilotro brothers were buried in a family plot at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois, on June 27, 1986.
- Outfit's Decision: The Outfit decided to replace Tony in Las Vegas with Donald "The Wizard of Odds" Angelini due to his problematic handling of Las Vegas concerns.
- Family Secrets Trials: In 2007, a federal court found James Marcello responsible for the murder of the Spilotro brothers, facilitated by testimony from former mobsters-turned-informants.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Tony Spilotro's life and violent career have left a lasting impact on popular culture and organized crime history.
- Casino Movie Adaptation: The character Nicky Santoro in Martin Scorsese's Casino was based on Tony Spilotro, dramatizing his violent exploits.
- Physical Appearance: Despite his small stature, standing at just five feet six inches tall, Tony was known for his intimidating blue eyes and confident demeanor.
- Nickname: He was nicknamed "Tony the Ant" by the media due to his small stature and the FBI's reference to him as "that little pissant".
- Mobster Reputation: Tony was revered and feared within the mob for his savage tendencies and numerous beatings and killings attributed to him.
The Chicago Outfit and Informants
Tony's rise and fall within the Chicago Outfit were marked by internal conflicts and the rise of informants.
- Chicago Outfit Involvement: Tony's rapid rise within the Chicago Outfit made him a high-ranking member responsible for managing operations in Las Vegas.
- Frank Cullotta's Testimony: Frank Cullotta, a former associate, testified against Tony, implicating him in several crimes, including the M&M murders.
- Las Vegas Control: During the early 1970s, the mob controlled virtually every casino worth controlling in Las Vegas, with Tony playing a crucial role.
- Blacklisted from Casinos: Tony was blacklisted from casinos due to his violent activities, making it difficult for him to enforce his position effectively.
Final Days and Aftermath
The final days of Tony Spilotro's life were marked by increasing pressure and his eventual murder.
- Informant Activity: Increasing scrutiny from law enforcement and the rise of informants led to Tony's downfall.
- Final Days: In the months leading up to his death, Tony faced increasing pressure from his superiors, who decided to replace him in Las Vegas.
- Murder Order: The decision to kill Tony was likely made during a meeting at the Czech Lodge in North Riverside, Illinois.
- Burial Site Discovery: The bodies of Tony and his brother Michael were discovered in a cornfield in Enos, Indiana, on June 22, 1986.
Legacy in Popular Culture
Tony Spilotro's life continues to fascinate audiences through various forms of media.
- Autopsy Results: The autopsy confirmed both brothers died from blunt force trauma. Their bodies were identified through dental charts supplied by their dentist brother, Patrick Spilotro.
- Family Legacy: Despite his violent legacy, Tony's family continued to be involved in various activities. His brother Victor was inducted into the Chicago Outfit a year after Tony's death.
- Cultural Impact: Tony's life has been extensively documented in true crime books and films, including Nicholas Pileggi's Casino and Martin Scorsese's adaptation.
- Legacy in Popular Culture: The character Nicky Santoro in Casino remains one of the most iconic portrayals of a mobster in popular culture, mirroring Tony's real-life story.
The Legacy of Tony Spilotro
Tony Spilotro's life paints a vivid picture of the dark underbelly of organized crime. Born into a family with deep mob connections, he quickly climbed the ranks of the Chicago Outfit. His violent methods and ruthless tactics earned him a fearsome reputation. Spilotro's operations in Las Vegas, particularly with the Hole in the Wall Gang, showcased his audacity and brutality. However, his reckless actions and strained relationships within the mob led to his downfall. The infamous M&M murders, his affair with Lefty Rosenthal's wife, and increasing law enforcement scrutiny sealed his fate. In 1986, Spilotro and his brother Michael met a gruesome end, their bodies found in an Indiana cornfield. His story, immortalized in films like Casino, remains a stark reminder of the perilous life of a mobster. Spilotro's legacy continues to captivate those intrigued by the world of organized crime.
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