Franzese was released from the federal medical center in devens, massachusetts on june 23, 2017, at the age of 100. As franzese rose within the ranks, he was estimated to have been making 58m per week from a gasoline bootlegging scheme, involving the russian mafia. Franzeses son michael is the shows executive producer, inspiration and narrator. Franzese was an associate producer of the 2002 movie this thing of ours. It is an adaptation of the 1985 nonfiction book wiseguy by nicholas pileggi, who cowrote the screenplay with scorsese. Stepson of reputed mob underboss surrenders upi archives. Apr 18, 2019 franzeses commitment to the mob is so complete that he went along with contracts on the lives of 2 of his sons, who, unlike their father, cooperated with law enforcement. Mar 27, 2019 longtime colombo underboss john sonny franzese is the living embodiment of the ultimate mob rule bragging in an interview about refusing to rat despite it making him the oldest federal. Michael franzese was born on the 27th may 1951, in brooklyn, new york city usa of american and italian descent. Find movie and film cast and crew information for mausoleum 1983 michael dugan, michael franzese on allmovie. Mobster john sonny franzese dead, age 103 about the mafia. Then, defying common sense and the covenant that bound him to the colombo family, michael.
He is represented by icm, a leading talent agency, which recently sold cbs the rights to a fourhour miniseries about his life. Former capo teams with veteran producer on a mob story at. Franzese is listed as an associate producer of the 2003 film this thing of ours, which stars james caan. Franzese was an associate producer of the 2002 movie this thing of ours franzese was born in naples and raised in new york city. In 1984, kutash was choreographer of the feature film nights of the city one of franzeses side interests was founding the movie company motion. From the time he took a blood oath that bound him body and soul to new yorks colombo crime family, franzese became a force to be reckoned with in organized crime. Franzese had met his future wife camille garcia while shooting the film in ft.
John franzese simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Nine months after that, he was on trial in queens for murder involving a suspected government informer found. But a closer look at her marriage to mafia capo michael franzese exposes more than a. Michael franzese grew up as the son of the infamous underboss of new yorks violent and feared colombo crime family. The story of the mafia prince who publicly quit the mob and lived franzese, michael on. Franzeses first felony conviction was in 1967 for planning the robbery of 4 banks. Cammy says she heard innuendos about michaels ties to the mob, but they went right over her head.
Michael franzese grew up as the son of the notorious underboss of new yorks violent and feared colombo crime family. Franzese s son michael is the shows executive producer, inspiration and narrator. Franzese was born in naples and raised in new york city. Former capo teams with veteran producer on a mob story at plaza. Franzese met with movie producers, talent agents and music record executives. In 1984, cammy, then 19, bought a oneway ticket to california and was hired as a dancer for a movie called knights of the city. Exmobster, las vegas producer says whitey bulger had it. In those days, kutash formed a vital bond with franzese. Electus has partnered with former crime boss michael franzese and producers moshe diamant and michael tadross jr. He survived countless grand jury appearances, 3 state indictments, 2 federal racketeering. A handsome italian film producer and a beautiful mexican dancer. He and camille actually met through the las vegas producer. In 1984, he met cammy garcia, a dancer who was acting in the movie, during filming in fort lauderdale, florida. God the father official trailer 1 2014 michael franzese documentary hd michael franzese, the son of john sonny franzese, an underboss.
Dec, 2011 the poignant story of a young woman married to a powerful mobster. Michael franzese, the son of john sonny franzese, an underboss of the colombo crime family, recounts his spiritual transformation. A match made on a movie set and a lavish beverly hills wedding. After 10 years in prison, this former prince of the mafia is now a man on a mission for the king of kings.
Michael pursued cammy and they were married in july 1985. Real world of mafia boss, michael franzese and his true life. Michael franzese is a former mobster who worked as a caporegime in the colombo crime family. Travolta took it to another level, wanting to be a director and whatever it was.
Michael was smitten, but knew his life stood in direct contradiction to what her and her mom believed and i respected their faith. Michael franzese list of movies and tv shows tv guide. Another favorite dining place was the russian tea room, next to carnegie hall in manhattan, where mr. He admits he started out in movies because they gave. He was young and handsome and 11 years older, to her dismay. John sonny franzese sr was an italianamerican mobster who was a longtime member and. We sat down with michael franzese, a former new york mobster. Stay in the know with the latest movie news and cast interviews at.
Wife claims sonny franzeses son destroyed his family. According to a federal report, franzese made more money for a crime family than anyone since chicago outfit boss, al capone. Michael franzese, 25 other people and nine corporations were named in charges filed thursday in broward county circuit court by the state attorneys office, authorities said. American male nonfiction writers film producers from new york state. Wife claims sonny franzeses son destroyed his family five. Cammy was a member of a prominent dance team when she was chosen to dance in the movie knights of the city, where she captured the heart of the film s executive producer, michael franzese. Michael franzese christian speaker former mob captain. Michaels amazing story and engaging delivery has brought record attendance to events all over the country. Jan 01, 2010 the way he tells it, yuppie don michael franzese found god and quit the mafia, where he had risen to the position of capo in the colombo crime family. Former mafia boss, michael franzese, along with his wife, share his testimony.
Mobbed up wiseguy explains the logical truth of jesus. Mob boss michael franzese had it allmoney, power, prestige. Knights of the city was produced in 1984 under the title cry of the city, but wasnt released until 1986. Needless to say, franzese has already sold the book to hollywood independent vision international. Michael franzese had entered a premed program in 1969 as john franzese originally did not want him to be involved in organized crime.
Better known by his nickname yuppie don, he is a former mobster, a member of the colombo crime family, who was involved in the gasoline tax rackets during the 1980 s. Franzese had eight children, 18 grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren. Michael franzese did not intend to participate in organized crime. Franzese was famous as the oldest active member of the american mafia. As franzese rose within the ranks, he was estimated to have been making 58m per week from a gasoline. Apr 05, 2012 today, michael franzese, thirtynine, is a free man, having served about a third of his sentence. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, personal life, criminal activities, etc. Michael franzese grew up the son of the notorious underboss of new yorks violent colombo crime family. He stayed home in indianapolis, where hed spent a dozen years in the witness protection program and still lives today. Former capo teams with veteran producer on a mob story. Franzese, who among other things is a movie producer, agreed to give the government his proceeds from his film, knights of the city, which depicts youthgang. Michael franzese born may 27, 1951 is an american former new york mobster and. Michael franzese was the executive producer of a movie called knights of the city. Michael s amazing story and engaging delivery has brought record.
Michael franzese, 34, a movie producer from brookville, n. February 6, 1917 february 24, 2020 was an italianamerican longtime member and underboss of the colombo crime family. Well documented with plenty of interviews and original. Former mobster michael franzese tells justin brierley how he turned from a life of mafia crime after finding god in prison and how he now shares his incredible story wherever he can. God the father official trailer 2014 michael franzese. Franzese says this time he will make that money honestlyas a hollywood film producer. It was there in 1984 that she met michael franzese, the producer of the movie. Michael blakey has 2,475 photos and videos on their instagram profile. The beginning of camille franzeses story takes on the shade of an exotic fairy tale. Try to be aware of your thinking pattern and dig deeper till you find the issue for that unpleasant. It was a life filled with power, luxuryand deadly violence.
This is a true story about mafia, money, love, loyalty and god. Michael franzese was one of the most notorious mob bosses of the 80s. Smalltown girl cammy franzese didnt plan to marry one of the most powerful mob bosses in. Cammy was a member of a prominent dance team when she was chosen to dance in the movie knights of the city, where she captured the heart of the films executive producer, michael franzese. Tom benedict knight, amanda fernando stevens, bashar rahal. The poignant story of a young woman married to a powerful mobster. Michael franzese biography facts, childhood, family life, crime. Michael, 67, flipped while facing his own prison sentence for racketeering and conspiracy and later left the mob to become a movie producer and evangelical pastor. Michael franzese born may 27, 1951 is an american former new york mobster and caporegime of the colombo crime family, and son of former underboss john franzese. Mini bio 1 michael franzese grew up the son of the notorious underboss of new yorks violent colombo crime family. Michael franzese doesnt have any movies playing in theaters. Franzese was portrayed by joseph bono in the martin scorsese film goodfellas 1990. From auto dealerships and union kickbacks to a lucrative gastax scheme and a successful venture in movie production, franzese earned millions in cash every week at his peak.
Michael franzese, a reformed exmobster with the columbo crime family, is shown in the plaza showroom on friday, may 4, 2018, where he is scheduled to debut his new show, a mob story, at the. As far as she was concerned, i was a movie producer. Exmob boss breaks down mafia scenes in movies and tv shows. He routinely refers to his fathers high position in the life. Franzese was an associate producer on the 2003 movie, this thing of ours. Presumably, this had more than a little to do with the arrest and trial of the executive producer of the film, michael franzese, a man tom brokaw called the prince of the mafia. Michael franzese, the son of john sonny franzese, an u. His son, michael, alleged that when mishler sentenced his father, franzese declared, you watch. Michael franzese answers, because most of the people who want to see me. Michael franzese was born into the business, as the son of a notorious new york mafia boss. The charges in the 177count criminal information stemmed from operation tiger tail, a 16month investigation into theft of gasoline tax money. Documentary film about the italian mafia and their organized crime activities in usa, mainly new york, between the 60s to mid 90s.
Franzese s first felony conviction was in 1967 for planning the robbery of 4 banks. Goodfellas 1990 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Electus partners with former crime boss for new mafia series. Smalltown girl cammy franzese didnt plan to marry one of the most powerful mob bosses in the country. Mausoleum 1983 michael dugan, michael franzese allmovie. An exmob boss breaks down depictions of the mafia in movies and tv shows. Anaheim woman was married to the mob orange county register.
1553 802 620 597 1212 723 702 634 627 1238 1136 798 540 962 1008 1483 1576 227 870 1108 1085 458 226 1003 1418 956 1211 372 517 560