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Mafia movies are surefire hits in Hollywood. But what about the Hollywood Mafia itself?
The Mafia rose to power in America on the east coast during the Prohibition Era. After gaining ground there, they naturally decided to expand out west.
While the L.A. mob competes and even coexists with Mexican, Russian, and other crime organizations, they’re still feared and even revered. Here are a few stories better than anything in theaters about why mob bosses still get lots of respect.
The Meaning of Respect in the Mob
Before we go into these fascinating personalities, let’s talk about respect. What is it and who deserves it?
Having admiration and deference towards someone or something is the dictionary definition of respect. Like many things, respect can play out a little differently in the world of the Mafia.
Mobsters might earn respect through unconventional means. They might follow omerta when the heat is on — or go on a violent spree to keep everyone in line.
They might also be part of the community, regardless of what kinds of laws they break. It can be conflicting when the guy next door takes care of the neighborhood — and is also a notorious mob boss.
Through good deeds, criminal acts, or inspiring fear, here’s a look at why some of the worst names in crime are sought after and respected.
Bugsy Siegel
Starting the list with a bang, Bugsy Siegel is a legend among notorious legends. He started as a mob enforcer in New York before climbing the ranks to run his own rackets.
Eventually, he came to the west coast. He stuck with the classics — gambling and bootlegging alcohol.
Bugsy went on to co-found the enforcement branch of the Mafia known ominously as Murder, Inc. Through his powerful connections and ability to act out without impunity, he earned a tainted kind of respect.
Jack Dragna
To understand mob life in La La Land, one must first know who Jack Dragna is. Like Bugsy, he decided to move west to make a name for himself.
He got involved in plenty of rackets, even dabbling in politics. Over time, he gained power — and respect.
With this respect, he was able to consolidate the L.A. mob, ruling it for 20 years. When he passed away in 1957, a little bit of legendary Mafia history went with him.
Peter John Milano
When Dragna passed away, the Los Angeles family started to unravel. Frank DeSimone and Nick Licata took over after his death but they didn’t have the power — or perhaps respect — to keep it together the same way Dragna did.
Then came a round of federal prosecutions in the 70s. The west coast mob took a tumble, but they didn’t tap out.
Authorities claim that Peter John Milano quickly stepped in and consolidated power, drawing many “made”men into the family. You can’t do that without respect, and it seems Milano held onto it for decades, just like Dragna.
Orlando “Ori” Spado
You wouldn’t think that a veteran who sold Prudential Insurance would be a mob boss. You’d be wrong.
Orlando Spado these days seems like an unassuming, well-dressed gentleman. At one time, he ran with a rough crowd in Los Angeles — and has the incredible true stories to prove it.
Spado had a knack for making problems of the rich and famous disappear. The L.A. fixer became known as the Hollywood Mob Boss.
He got to rub elbows with both Hollywood royalty and also the members of several notorious crime families. People from all walks of life respected him and he was in high demand.
These days, people still respect him — and seek him out for his amazing tales of Los Angeles and true crime.
Joseph “Joe Dip” Dippolito
Joseph “Joe Dip” Dippolito fits the image of what a Mafia hit man should be. He was huge, muscular — and lethal.
He was sought out by mob boss Dragna to perform a particular hit on a rival’s loyalist. Joe did so ruthlessly, strangling the man to death and burying him in a vineyard.
These kinds of gruesome, lawless acts are shocking and evil. But in some criminal circles, this is what earns you a badge of honor.
For his work, Joe was eventually invited to become a “made man”, also known as “a man of respect”. It wasn’t long after that he earned another high-ranking title: under boss.
He gained respect through violent acts that left his hands soaking in blood. While we don’t condone these criminal actions, it’s easy to see how he earned a fearful reverence from those around him.
Respect for Big Bosses on the Big Screen
These days, the reality of the Mafia may have changed but the stories still draw us in. Former mobsters or associates, like Spado, are now sought out for their wealth of insight.
Hollywood has been putting gangsters up on the silver screen since the very earliest days of motion pictures. Flicks like Underworld from the 20s and Little Ceasar from the 30s were some of the earliest to thrill audiences.
Mob life continues to inspire Hollywood. Some of the greatest classics of all time are gangster movies.
Goodfellas, Scarface, and The Godfather have been endlessly quoted, studied, parodied and more. The criminals are sometimes seen even as unlikely heroes and underdogs.
There’s nothing glamorous about a violent world of crime. But movies have added a sheen of excitement and even respectability to this dangerous, lethal underworld.
The Hollywood Mafia and Respect
Hopefully, we’ve paid our proper respects to the Hollywood Mafia with this list. These figures loom large in Los Angeles, both on-screen and off.
Whether they earned respect through good deeds or bad, there’s no denying the L. A. underworld is a fascinating one. We can’t condone crime in any way, but one can understand how these wise guys were revered.
You need to hear more inside information from the guy who went deep into La Cosa Nostra and came out with a story to tell. Pick up an autographed copy of “The Accidental Gangster” by Ori Spado and keep reading our blog to hear even more amazing stories!
