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Sammy Gravano: Mafia Leader and Whistleblower
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Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano, born on March 12, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, is a former high-ranking member of the Gambino crime family who became one of the most infamous mobsters-turned-informants in American history. As reported by various sources, Gravano rose from a street gang member to the position of underboss in the Gambino family before ultimately turning state's evidence against John Gotti, leading to the crime boss's life imprisonment.

 

Early Life of Crime in Brooklyn

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Salvatore Gravano, later known as "Sammy the Bull," was born on March 12, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, to Sicilian immigrant parents Giorlando and Caterina Gravano.
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Growing up in Bensonhurst, a neighborhood entrenched with mafia influence, Gravano was exposed to organized crime from an early age.
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His father worked as a painter before health issues led the family to open a dress factory.
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Gravano's childhood was marked by tragedy, as two of his siblings died of pneumonia before he was born.
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This upbringing in a tight-knit Italian-American community would later influence his path into the criminal underworld, eventually leading to his association with the Gambino crime family and figures like John Gotti, Gene Gotti, and Frank DeCicco.
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Gambino Crime Family Breakthrough

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Sammy Gravano's breakthrough in the Gambino crime family came in 1985 when he participated in the assassination of boss Paul Castellano alongside John Gotti, Frank DeCicco, and others
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This pivotal event catapulted Gravano into the upper echelons of the organization, leading to his rapid rise through the ranks. Gotti, impressed by Gravano's loyalty and effectiveness, promoted him to captain shortly after taking control of the family
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Gravano's close association with Gotti, as well as other key figures like Gene Gotti and Frank Locascio, solidified his position within the Gambino hierarchy, setting the stage for his eventual ascension to underboss
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Sammy Gravano (Photos)

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Sammy Gravano's Mafia Rise and Downfall

Sammy Gravano's life in organized crime spanned several decades, marked by significant events that shaped both his career and the landscape of the Gambino crime family. The following timeline highlights key moments in Gravano's life, including his associations with prominent Mafia figures.
YearEvent
1945Born on March 12 in Brooklyn, New York
1968Becomes associated with the Colombo crime family
1976Joins the Gambino crime family
1985Participates in the assassination of Paul Castellano alongside John Gotti and Frank DeCicco
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1986Promoted to captain in the Gambino family under John Gotti's leadership
1988Becomes underboss of the Gambino family
1990Arrested alongside John Gotti and Frank Locascio
1991Agrees to cooperate with federal authorities, breaking omertà
1992Testifies against John Gotti, leading to Gotti's conviction
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1994Released from prison and enters Witness Protection Program
1995Leaves Witness Protection and moves to Arizona
2000Arrested for running an Ecstasy drug ring
2017Released from prison on September 18
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2020Launches YouTube channel and podcast "Our Thing"
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This timeline illustrates Gravano's rise within the Gambino family, his close association with John Gotti, and the dramatic turn of events that led to his cooperation with authorities and subsequent life after the Mafia.
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Filmography: Gravano's Character on Screen

Sammy Gravano's life and involvement with the Gambino crime family have been the subject of various documentaries and dramatizations. The following table highlights some notable productions featuring Gravano's story, including his relationships with John Gotti, Gene Gotti, and other key figures in the Mafia.
TitleYearTypeNotable Portrayals
Gotti1996TV MovieWilliam Forsythe as Sammy Gravano
Witness to the Mob1998TV MovieNicholas Turturro as Sammy Gravano
Boss of Bosses2001TV MovieSonny Marinelli as Sammy Gravano
Get Gotti2023DocuseriesFeatures interviews with Gravano
Families of the Mafia2020-2022Reality TVFeatures Gravano and his family
These productions often depict Gravano's rise in the Gambino family, his relationship with John Gotti, and his eventual decision to testify against his former associates, including Frank Locascio
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While not all productions directly portray figures like Frank DeCicco or Gene Gotti, they typically provide context about the broader Gambino crime family dynamics during Gravano's tenure.
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Sammy Gravano's Interviews (Videos)

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Personal Life: Mafia Underboss

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Sammy Gravano's personal life was deeply intertwined with his criminal activities in the Gambino crime family. He married Debra Scibetta in 1971, and they had two children, Karen and Gerard. Despite his violent lifestyle, Gravano maintained a facade of normalcy, running legitimate businesses alongside his criminal enterprises. His daughter Karen has described their family life as seemingly ordinary, with Gravano attending school events and family dinners
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However, his close associations with John Gotti, Gene Gotti, and Frank DeCicco often blurred the lines between his personal and professional lives. Gravano's decision to cooperate with the FBI in 1991, testifying against John Gotti and Frank Locascio, shattered his family's stability and led to their entry into the Witness Protection Program, fundamentally altering their lives forever
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Closing Thoughts on Sammy Gravano

Sammy Gravano's life story, from his rise in the Gambino crime family to his eventual cooperation with authorities, represents a complex chapter in American organized crime history. His journey intertwined with influential figures like Carlo Gambino, John Gotti, and Frank Costello, shaping the landscape of the mafia for decades. The impact of Gravano's actions extended beyond his own life, affecting his children Karen Gravano and Gerard Gravano, as well as associates like Nicholas Scibetta and Eddie Garafola. The legacy of the Gambino family, led by figures such as Carlo Gambino, Thomas Gambino, and Joseph Gambino, was forever altered by Gravano's testimony. His decision to break omertà not only brought down John Gotti but also signaled a significant shift in the power dynamics of organized crime. The story of Sammy Gravano, from his early days with Alphonsio Gravano to his role as underboss under John Gotti, serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of a life in the mafia, affecting families like the Gravanos and Gambinos for generations.
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