Henry Hill: The Goodfellas Mob Informant

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Introduction
Early Life: A Brooklyn Childhood of Crime
Breakthrough to Criminal Notoriety
Henry Hill (Photos)
Life Events Timeline
Goodfellas on Screen
Goodfellas Awards and Honors
Henry Hill's Interviews (Videos)
Personal Life of Hidden Crime
Closing Thoughts on Henry Hill

Henry Hill: The Goodfellas Mob Informant

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Henry Hill Jr., an American mobster associated with the Lucchese crime family from 1955 to 1980, became a prominent FBI informant whose life story inspired Martin Scorsese's iconic film "Goodfellas." Born in Brooklyn in 1943, Hill's journey from street-level criminal to federal witness exposed the inner workings of organized crime and left an indelible mark on popular culture.

Early Life: A Brooklyn Childhood of Crime

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Henry Hill Jr. was born on June 11, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, to a working-class family. His father, Henry Hill Sr., was an Irish-American electrician, while his mother, Carmela Costa, was a Sicilian immigrant

. Growing up in Brownsville, a neighborhood dominated by the Lucchese crime family, Hill was exposed to the world of organized crime from an early age

. As a dyslexic child struggling in school, Hill found himself drawn to the glamorous lifestyle of local mobsters

. At just 11 years old, he began running errands for Paul Vario, a caporegime in the Lucchese family, at a nearby cabstand

. This early introduction to the criminal underworld would set the stage for Hill's future as a central character in one of America's most notorious mob families, eventually leading to his involvement in major crimes, including the infamous Air France robbery, and his later life as an informant that inspired books and movies

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Breakthrough to Criminal Notoriety

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Henry Hill's breakthrough in organized crime came through his association with the Lucchese family and involvement in major heists. His participation in the 1967 Air France robbery, where he and his associates stole $420,000, established him as a rising figure in the mob world

. Hill's criminal career escalated with drug trafficking, which he continued even while in prison

. His story gained widespread attention after he became an FBI informant and entered the Witness Protection Program, leading to Nicholas Pileggi's book "Wiseguy" and Martin Scorsese's film "Goodfellas," where Ray Liotta portrayed Hill alongside Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci

. This Hollywood adaptation cemented Hill's status as a central character in American mob lore, depicting his life of crime, including his relationships with Jimmy Burke and Tommy DeSimone, and his frequent presence at Robert's Lounge, a mob hangout

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Henry Hill (Photos)

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Life Events Timeline

Henry Hill's life was marked by significant events that molded his journey from a young mobster to an FBI informant and cultural figure. The following timeline highlights key moments in Hill's life:

Year	Event
1943	Born in Brooklyn, New York 1
1955	Begins working for Paul Vario and the Lucchese family 1
1967	Participates in the Air France robbery 2
1978	Involved in the Lufthansa heist 3
1980	Arrested on narcotics charges; becomes FBI informant and enters Witness Protection Program 1
1986	Nicholas Pileggi publishes "Wiseguy," based on Hill's life 3
1987	Expelled from Witness Protection Program for drug possession 1
1990	"Goodfellas" released, with Ray Liotta portraying Hill 1
2002	Publishes "The Wiseguy Cookbook" 1
2007	Opens (and quickly closes) restaurant named "Wiseguys" 4
2012	Dies at age 69 in Los Angeles 1

This timeline encapsulates Hill's transformation from a street-level criminal associated with figures like Jimmy Burke and Tommy DeSimone, to a central character in one of the most famous mob stories in American culture.

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Goodfellas on Screen

"Goodfellas" has become a landmark in the crime film genre, with its portrayal of Henry Hill's life in the mob inspiring several other productions. Here's a table of key films and documentaries related to Hill's story:

Title	Year	Type	Notable Details
Goodfellas	1990	Film	Directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Ray Liotta as Henry Hill, Robert De Niro as Jimmy Conway, and Joe Pesci as Tommy DeVito 1
The Real Goodfella	2006	Documentary	Features interviews with the real Henry Hill 2
The Big Heist	2001	TV Movie	Focuses on the Lufthansa heist, with Nick Sandow as Henry Hill 3
My Tale of Two Cities	2008	Documentary	Includes an appearance by Henry Hill discussing his life after witness protection 3

This table showcases the enduring impact of Hill's story on popular culture, from Scorsese's critically acclaimed "Goodfellas" to documentaries exploring the real-life events and their aftermath

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Goodfellas Awards and Honors

"Goodfellas" received widespread critical acclaim and numerous accolades for its portrayal of Henry Hill's life in organized crime. The film's success is reflected in its impressive list of awards and nominations.

Award	Category	Recipient	Result
Academy Awards	Best Picture	Irwin Winkler	Nominated
Academy Awards	Best Director	Martin Scorsese	Nominated
Academy Awards	Best Supporting Actor	Joe Pesci	Won
Academy Awards	Best Supporting Actress	Lorraine Bracco	Nominated
Academy Awards	Best Adapted Screenplay	Nicholas Pileggi, Martin Scorsese	Nominated
Golden Globe Awards	Best Motion Picture - Drama	-	Nominated
BAFTA Awards	Best Film	-	Won
BAFTA Awards	Best Director	Martin Scorsese	Won
New York Film Critics Circle	Best Film	-	Won
Los Angeles Film Critics Association	Best Film	-	Won

The film's success, particularly Joe Pesci's Oscar win for his portrayal of Tommy DeVito, cemented "Goodfellas" as a classic in the crime genre

. Its impact extended beyond awards, with the film being inducted into the National Film Registry in 2000 for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance

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Henry Hill's Interviews (Videos)

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Personal Life of Hidden Crime

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Henry Hill's personal life was deeply intertwined with his criminal activities and subsequent fame. He married Karen Friedman in 1965, and their relationship became a central part of his story, with Karen even becoming involved in his drug trafficking operations

. After entering the Witness Protection Program in 1980, Hill struggled with substance abuse issues, particularly cocaine and alcohol addiction

. His marriage to Karen ended in divorce in 1989, just before the release of "Goodfellas"

. In his later years, Hill attempted to capitalize on his notoriety, making frequent guest appearances on Howard Stern's radio show and collaborating on several books about his life in the mob

. Despite his efforts to reform, Hill continued to face legal troubles and struggled with addiction until his death in 2012 at the age of 69

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Closing Thoughts on Henry Hill

Henry Hill's life, marked by crime, drugs, and his association with the Lucchese family, remains a captivating tale of the American underworld. From his early days running errands for mobsters to his involvement in major heists like the Air France robbery, Hill's journey epitomizes the rise and fall of a wiseguy. His relationships with infamous figures like Jimmy Burke and Tommy DeSimone, and his frequent presence at Robert's Lounge, paint a vivid picture of mob life. Hill's eventual turn as an FBI informant and entry into the Witness Protection Program transformed him from a mobster to a central character in popular culture. The adaptation of his story into a book by Nicholas Pileggi and the subsequent film "Goodfellas," featuring Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci, cemented Hill's place in cinematic history. Despite his attempts to leave his criminal past behind, Hill's struggles with cocaine addiction and his status as a frequent guest on media outlets kept him in the public eye. His life story, from crime to Hollywood, continues to fascinate, serving as a stark reminder of the allure and consequences of organized crime