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Top 10 Movie Portrayals of Real Life Gangsters


you think you’re a tough guy what are

you think you’re a tough guy what are you going to strong-arm me we’ll see

you going to strong-arm me we’ll see

you going to strong-arm me we’ll see about that

about that

about that you know I think that you got the wrong

you know I think that you got the wrong

you know I think that you got the wrong impression about me I think in all

impression about me I think in all

impression about me I think in all fairness I should explain to you exactly

fairness I should explain to you exactly

fairness I should explain to you exactly what it is that I do welcome to

what it is that I do welcome to

what it is that I do welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 movie

down our picks for the top 10 movie

down our picks for the top 10 movie portrayals of real-life gangsters for

portrayals of real-life gangsters for

portrayals of real-life gangsters for this list we’ve chosen movie depictions

this list we’ve chosen movie depictions

this list we’ve chosen movie depictions of real-life criminals who were part of

of real-life criminals who were part of

of real-life criminals who were part of a gang which means those baddies who

a gang which means those baddies who

a gang which means those baddies who acted alone or as part of a twosome need

acted alone or as part of a twosome need

acted alone or as part of a twosome need not apply

not apply

not apply for instance tomorrow morning I’ll get

for instance tomorrow morning I’ll get

for instance tomorrow morning I’ll get up nice and early take a walk down over

up nice and early take a walk down over

up nice and early take a walk down over to the bank and walk in and see and if

to the bank and walk in and see and if

to the bank and walk in and see and if you don’t have my money for me I’ll

you don’t have my money for me I’ll

you don’t have my money for me I’ll crack your head wide open in front of

crack your head wide open in front of

crack your head wide open in front of everybody in the bank number 10 Sean

everybody in the bank number 10 Sean

everybody in the bank number 10 Sean Penn as Mickey Cohen gangster squad this

Penn as Mickey Cohen gangster squad this

Penn as Mickey Cohen gangster squad this is my destiny

is my destiny

is my destiny Los Angeles while the stylized film

Los Angeles while the stylized film

Los Angeles while the stylized film itself was only so-so Penn embodied the

itself was only so-so Penn embodied the

itself was only so-so Penn embodied the spirit of the ex-boxer turned gangster

spirit of the ex-boxer turned gangster

spirit of the ex-boxer turned gangster that wasn’t murder

that wasn’t murder

that wasn’t murder it’s practice I in progress

it’s practice I in progress

it’s practice I in progress as the main antagonist of the movie

as the main antagonist of the movie

as the main antagonist of the movie every time he’s on screen

every time he’s on screen

every time he’s on screen he’s a powder keg of emotion often

he’s a powder keg of emotion often

he’s a powder keg of emotion often erupting at the slightest provocation

erupting at the slightest provocation

erupting at the slightest provocation find these bastards he’s loud brash and

find these bastards he’s loud brash and

find these bastards he’s loud brash and unwilling to back down even as the cops

unwilling to back down even as the cops

unwilling to back down even as the cops are closing in on him

pen strikes a perfect balance between

pen strikes a perfect balance between cocky and calculating when portraying

cocky and calculating when portraying

cocky and calculating when portraying this Jewish mafia member and king of the

this Jewish mafia member and king of the

this Jewish mafia member and king of the Sunset Strip these guys are a special

Sunset Strip these guys are a special

Sunset Strip these guys are a special brand the hardcase is not interested in

brand the hardcase is not interested in

brand the hardcase is not interested in money cop is not for sales like a dog

money cop is not for sales like a dog

money cop is not for sales like a dog with rabies there’s no medicine for it

with rabies there’s no medicine for it

with rabies there’s no medicine for it you just got it

you just got it

you just got it put him down number 9 Robert De Niro as

put him down number 9 Robert De Niro as

put him down number 9 Robert De Niro as Al Capone The Untouchables

Al Capone The Untouchables

Al Capone The Untouchables some people say reform is here safe put

some people say reform is here safe put

some people say reform is here safe put that man in jail what does he think he

that man in jail what does he think he

that man in jail what does he think he is doing what I hope I’m doing in his

is doing what I hope I’m doing in his

is doing what I hope I’m doing in his when your English papers got a point is

when your English papers got a point is

when your English papers got a point is I’m responding to the will of the people

I’m responding to the will of the people

I’m responding to the will of the people rod steiger’s depiction in the 1959

rod steiger’s depiction in the 1959

rod steiger’s depiction in the 1959 biopic was a complex unglamorous

biopic was a complex unglamorous

biopic was a complex unglamorous portrayal of Capone but leave it to De

portrayal of Capone but leave it to De

portrayal of Capone but leave it to De Niro to blow anyone else out of the

Niro to blow anyone else out of the

Niro to blow anyone else out of the water I get nowhere unless the team wins

standing out in a film like this isn’t a

standing out in a film like this isn’t a cakewalk

cakewalk

cakewalk with billy drago also giving a great

with billy drago also giving a great

with billy drago also giving a great performance as the real-life Frank Nitti

performance as the real-life Frank Nitti

performance as the real-life Frank Nitti but Nero is truly terrifying as this

but Nero is truly terrifying as this

but Nero is truly terrifying as this Prohibition era criminal mastermind I

Prohibition era criminal mastermind I

Prohibition era criminal mastermind I want that son of a bitch thing I wanted

want that son of a bitch thing I wanted

want that son of a bitch thing I wanted dead which I wanted that I’ll change

dead which I wanted that I’ll change

dead which I wanted that I’ll change what am I alone in this world did I ask

what am I alone in this world did I ask

what am I alone in this world did I ask you want your trial is over did I ask

you want your trial is over did I ask

you want your trial is over did I ask what you don’t believe using rough

what you don’t believe using rough

what you don’t believe using rough dialogue and a commanding nature to

dialogue and a commanding nature to

dialogue and a commanding nature to intimidate agent Eliot Ness but also

intimidate agent Eliot Ness but also

intimidate agent Eliot Ness but also standing tall as a high profile member

standing tall as a high profile member

standing tall as a high profile member of society

of society

of society [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] number eight Tim Roth as Dutch Schultz

number eight Tim Roth as Dutch Schultz

number eight Tim Roth as Dutch Schultz hoodlum Oh feel nothing there’s a toss

hoodlum Oh feel nothing there’s a toss

hoodlum Oh feel nothing there’s a toss up in this film between Roth’s

up in this film between Roth’s

up in this film between Roth’s performance and Laurence Fishburne’s

performance and Laurence Fishburne’s

performance and Laurence Fishburne’s portrayal of Ellsworth bumpy Johnson now

portrayal of Ellsworth bumpy Johnson now

portrayal of Ellsworth bumpy Johnson now you know I’m the bag but Roth edges them

you know I’m the bag but Roth edges them

you know I’m the bag but Roth edges them out even though Schultz is the associate

out even though Schultz is the associate

out even though Schultz is the associate of mob boss Lucky Luciano it’s hard to

of mob boss Lucky Luciano it’s hard to

of mob boss Lucky Luciano it’s hard to believe this guy is taking orders from

believe this guy is taking orders from

believe this guy is taking orders from anyone

big boss no brains

big boss no brains he’s wild on screen and there’s

he’s wild on screen and there’s

he’s wild on screen and there’s something about his character that’s

something about his character that’s

something about his character that’s slightly unhinged

slightly unhinged

slightly unhinged it seems the Dutch is the one calling

it seems the Dutch is the one calling

it seems the Dutch is the one calling all the shots as he orders hits and

all the shots as he orders hits and

all the shots as he orders hits and tries to double-cross his boss

you’ll move Hoffa will be acquitted

you’ll move Hoffa will be acquitted because Hoffa is innocent officious and

because Hoffa is innocent officious and

because Hoffa is innocent officious and unsubstantiated charges that face me

unsubstantiated charges that face me

unsubstantiated charges that face me here number seven

here number seven

here number seven Jack Nicholson as Jimmy Hoffa Hoffa even

Jack Nicholson as Jimmy Hoffa Hoffa even

Jack Nicholson as Jimmy Hoffa Hoffa even though the movie only met with fair

though the movie only met with fair

though the movie only met with fair reviews Nicholson perfectly embodies

reviews Nicholson perfectly embodies

reviews Nicholson perfectly embodies this larger-than-life Teamsters boss I

this larger-than-life Teamsters boss I

this larger-than-life Teamsters boss I heard that mostly told in flashbacks it

heard that mostly told in flashbacks it

heard that mostly told in flashbacks it tells the story of how Hoffa came to be

tells the story of how Hoffa came to be

tells the story of how Hoffa came to be such a powerful political figure and

such a powerful political figure and

such a powerful political figure and enemy to JFK among others Nicholson is

enemy to JFK among others Nicholson is

enemy to JFK among others Nicholson is quietly menacing and it’s easy to tell

quietly menacing and it’s easy to tell

quietly menacing and it’s easy to tell he’s not someone to be messed with

he’s not someone to be messed with

he’s not someone to be messed with someone to give you a piece of advice

someone to give you a piece of advice

someone to give you a piece of advice don’t ask for something but it’s a

don’t ask for something but it’s a

don’t ask for something but it’s a burden to you if you get it he brings

burden to you if you get it he brings

burden to you if you get it he brings his trademark poker face to the role

his trademark poker face to the role

his trademark poker face to the role making it impossible to guess what he’s

making it impossible to guess what he’s

making it impossible to guess what he’s thinking hey you know what they used to

thinking hey you know what they used to

thinking hey you know what they used to say any old days tell me now because I’m

say any old days tell me now because I’m

say any old days tell me now because I’m gonna find out about it anyway number

gonna find out about it anyway number

gonna find out about it anyway number six

six

six Al Pacino as Benjamin lefty Ruggiero

Al Pacino as Benjamin lefty Ruggiero

Al Pacino as Benjamin lefty Ruggiero Donnie Brasco well let me just say go

Donnie Brasco well let me just say go

Donnie Brasco well let me just say go ahead try and sell it you want to be a

ahead try and sell it you want to be a

ahead try and sell it you want to be a dumpy give it a shot don’t ski

dumpy give it a shot don’t ski

dumpy give it a shot don’t ski you call me donkey ruiji arrow would

you call me donkey ruiji arrow would

you call me donkey ruiji arrow would strictly be the bad guy in any other

strictly be the bad guy in any other

strictly be the bad guy in any other film but in this portrayal his character

film but in this portrayal his character

film but in this portrayal his character is much more complex

is much more complex

is much more complex you’re gonna walk out on me

you’re gonna walk out on me

you’re gonna walk out on me you walk out on me I walked out on you

you walk out on me I walked out on you

you walk out on me I walked out on you his friendship with undercover agent

his friendship with undercover agent

his friendship with undercover agent Donnie Brasco shows that he’s more than

Donnie Brasco shows that he’s more than

Donnie Brasco shows that he’s more than a killer he’s a low on the totem pole

a killer he’s a low on the totem pole

a killer he’s a low on the totem pole mafia man who’s been passed over for

mafia man who’s been passed over for

mafia man who’s been passed over for promotions and has a son at home who’s

promotions and has a son at home who’s

promotions and has a son at home who’s struggling with drug addiction Pacino’s

struggling with drug addiction Pacino’s

struggling with drug addiction Pacino’s Ruggiero is a man with everyday problems

Ruggiero is a man with everyday problems

Ruggiero is a man with everyday problems so it’s almost easy to understand why he

so it’s almost easy to understand why he

so it’s almost easy to understand why he does what he does disgusting

does what he does disgusting

does what he does disgusting yeah you just said it yeah just are you

yeah you just said it yeah just are you

yeah you just said it yeah just are you not number 5

not number 5

not number 5 Warren Beatty as Benjamin Bugsy Siegel

Warren Beatty as Benjamin Bugsy Siegel

Warren Beatty as Benjamin Bugsy Siegel Bugsy Benjamin is in the Bible and

Bugsy Benjamin is in the Bible and

Bugsy Benjamin is in the Bible and second I’ll see all of you at the

second I’ll see all of you at the

second I’ll see all of you at the opening of the Flamingo it’s Christmas

opening of the Flamingo it’s Christmas

opening of the Flamingo it’s Christmas Day okay when you’ve also portrayed the

Day okay when you’ve also portrayed the

Day okay when you’ve also portrayed the iconic Clyde Barrow playing the tough

iconic Clyde Barrow playing the tough

iconic Clyde Barrow playing the tough guy starts to come naturally I owe you

guy starts to come naturally I owe you

guy starts to come naturally I owe you my life then I’d say that’s a fair

my life then I’d say that’s a fair

my life then I’d say that’s a fair assessment god bless you Ben at least

assessment god bless you Ben at least

assessment god bless you Ben at least that’s the case with Beatty when he

that’s the case with Beatty when he

that’s the case with Beatty when he depicts mobster turned hotelier turned

depicts mobster turned hotelier turned

depicts mobster turned hotelier turned Vegas big shot Bugsy Siegel baby plays

Vegas big shot Bugsy Siegel baby plays

Vegas big shot Bugsy Siegel baby plays Bugsy as a man with vision others can’t

Bugsy as a man with vision others can’t

Bugsy as a man with vision others can’t see who decides to start a hotel casino

see who decides to start a hotel casino

see who decides to start a hotel casino in the desolate terrain of Las Vegas

he’s a complicated man trying to keep

he’s a complicated man trying to keep the love of his woman while gambling on

the love of his woman while gambling on

the love of his woman while gambling on their future but that doesn’t make him

their future but that doesn’t make him

their future but that doesn’t make him soft but you know something that’s for

soft but you know something that’s for

soft but you know something that’s for summer and Jerry I don’t think you have

summer and Jerry I don’t think you have

summer and Jerry I don’t think you have to worry about summer

number four Daniel day-lewis as bill the

number four Daniel day-lewis as bill the butcher cutting Gangs of New York

butcher cutting Gangs of New York

butcher cutting Gangs of New York Amsterdam I’m New York Dave Lewis is one

Amsterdam I’m New York Dave Lewis is one

Amsterdam I’m New York Dave Lewis is one of those actors that completely

of those actors that completely

of those actors that completely transforms himself on screen and he’s

transforms himself on screen and he’s

transforms himself on screen and he’s almost unrecognizable as the butcher on

almost unrecognizable as the butcher on

almost unrecognizable as the butcher on my challenge by the ancient laws of

my challenge by the ancient laws of

my challenge by the ancient laws of combat

combat

combat we have met at this chosen ground to

we have met at this chosen ground to

we have met at this chosen ground to settle for good know who holds sway over

settle for good know who holds sway over

settle for good know who holds sway over the five points his demeanor is

the five points his demeanor is

the five points his demeanor is completely changed and he comes across

completely changed and he comes across

completely changed and he comes across as a caged animal ready to attack at any

as a caged animal ready to attack at any

as a caged animal ready to attack at any moment and his best scenes are when he’s

moment and his best scenes are when he’s

moment and his best scenes are when he’s doing his worst apologies my dear pick

doing his worst apologies my dear pick

doing his worst apologies my dear pick it up though the character is not

it up though the character is not

it up though the character is not exactly a true to history portrayal of

exactly a true to history portrayal of

exactly a true to history portrayal of the real bill the butcher whose family

the real bill the butcher whose family

the real bill the butcher whose family name was Poole not cutting the roll

name was Poole not cutting the roll

name was Poole not cutting the roll still earned day-lewis the third Oscar

still earned day-lewis the third Oscar

still earned day-lewis the third Oscar nod of his career number three

nod of his career number three

nod of his career number three Robert De Niro as Sam ace Rothstein

Robert De Niro as Sam ace Rothstein

Robert De Niro as Sam ace Rothstein Casino this is not the way to treat

Casino this is not the way to treat

Casino this is not the way to treat people listen if you didn’t know you’d

people listen if you didn’t know you’d

people listen if you didn’t know you’d be a scam you too dumb to keep this job

be a scam you too dumb to keep this job

be a scam you too dumb to keep this job if you did know you were in on either

if you did know you were in on either

if you did know you were in on either way you’re out get out go on let’s go in

way you’re out get out go on let’s go in

way you’re out get out go on let’s go in his second spot on our list De Niro

his second spot on our list De Niro

his second spot on our list De Niro displays again that he and his

displays again that he and his

displays again that he and his Goodfellas co-star Joe Pesci have great

Goodfellas co-star Joe Pesci have great

Goodfellas co-star Joe Pesci have great chemistry as they portray business

chemistry as they portray business

chemistry as they portray business partners in the Las Vegas casino

partners in the Las Vegas casino

partners in the Las Vegas casino industry I just got to tell you it’s no

industry I just got to tell you it’s no

industry I just got to tell you it’s no joke guys it’s no joke you gotta you

joke guys it’s no joke you gotta you

joke guys it’s no joke you gotta you gotta keep a low profile

gotta keep a low profile

gotta keep a low profile it’s not like back home right off the

it’s not like back home right off the

it’s not like back home right off the bat they don’t like guys like this and

bat they don’t like guys like this and

bat they don’t like guys like this and the sheriff’s a real cowboy even the cop

the sheriff’s a real cowboy even the cop

the sheriff’s a real cowboy even the cop is aren’t afraid to bury people on the

is aren’t afraid to bury people on the

is aren’t afraid to bury people on the desert here as a gambling handicapper De

desert here as a gambling handicapper De

desert here as a gambling handicapper De Niro depicts Rothstein as someone

Niro depicts Rothstein as someone

Niro depicts Rothstein as someone calculating methodical and more

calculating methodical and more

calculating methodical and more conservative than his partner go on I

conservative than his partner go on I

conservative than his partner go on I want you to put an equal

want you to put an equal

want you to put an equal blueberries in each month an equal

blueberries in each month an equal

blueberries in each month an equal amount of blueberries in each muffin I

amount of blueberries in each muffin I

amount of blueberries in each muffin I don’t care how long it takes Sam doesn’t

don’t care how long it takes Sam doesn’t

don’t care how long it takes Sam doesn’t let anything slide past him though and

let anything slide past him though and

let anything slide past him though and his attention to detail needs him as the

his attention to detail needs him as the

his attention to detail needs him as the only one unscathed

they had other ideas for me see you are

they had other ideas for me see you are what you are in this world number two

what you are in this world number two

what you are in this world number two Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas

Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas

Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas American Gangster he is somebody as

American Gangster he is somebody as

American Gangster he is somebody as Harlem heroin dealer turned kingpin

Harlem heroin dealer turned kingpin

Harlem heroin dealer turned kingpin Frank Lucas Washington gives one of the

Frank Lucas Washington gives one of the

Frank Lucas Washington gives one of the strongest performances of his career

strongest performances of his career

strongest performances of his career everybody

he takes Lucas’s Scarface like tail and

he takes Lucas’s Scarface like tail and paints it as the classic American

paints it as the classic American

paints it as the classic American success story of working hard to achieve

success story of working hard to achieve

success story of working hard to achieve your dreams but in this case working

your dreams but in this case working

your dreams but in this case working hard means hiding heroin underneath the

hard means hiding heroin underneath the

hard means hiding heroin underneath the coffins of soldiers on their way back

coffins of soldiers on their way back

coffins of soldiers on their way back from Vietnam you think you’re going to

from Vietnam you think you’re going to

from Vietnam you think you’re going to take a hundred kilos of heroin into the

take a hundred kilos of heroin into the

take a hundred kilos of heroin into the US and you don’t work for anyone someone

US and you don’t work for anyone someone

US and you don’t work for anyone someone is good too about that that’s right the

is good too about that that’s right the

is good too about that that’s right the movie may have fictionalized some

movie may have fictionalized some

movie may have fictionalized some aspects of Lucas’s life but every bit of

aspects of Lucas’s life but every bit of

aspects of Lucas’s life but every bit of this performance is believable I took

this performance is believable I took

this performance is believable I took care home so how long’s gonna take care

care home so how long’s gonna take care

care home so how long’s gonna take care of me you can believe that before we let

of me you can believe that before we let

of me you can believe that before we let our number one pick out of the slammer

our number one pick out of the slammer

our number one pick out of the slammer here are a few honorable mentions these

here are a few honorable mentions these

here are a few honorable mentions these complications with Diego the stolen cars

complications with Diego the stolen cars

complications with Diego the stolen cars getting him released from the cops this

getting him released from the cops this

getting him released from the cops this causes me much inconvenience if 50 kilos

causes me much inconvenience if 50 kilos

causes me much inconvenience if 50 kilos could have been a big problem huh I

could have been a big problem huh I

could have been a big problem huh I don’t like problems you bullshitting me

don’t like problems you bullshitting me

don’t like problems you bullshitting me first thing my father ever taught me was

first thing my father ever taught me was

first thing my father ever taught me was you never bullshit a West Indian

you never bullshit a West Indian

you never bullshit a West Indian bullshit out his areas worse than you my

bullshit out his areas worse than you my

bullshit out his areas worse than you my mom she from Grenada

you’re gonna tell me who robbed me

you’re gonna tell me who robbed me [Music]

[Music]

[Music] because if you don’t if you don’t I’m

because if you don’t if you don’t I’m

because if you don’t if you don’t I’m gonna kill every person in that book

gonna kill every person in that book

gonna kill every person in that book starting with your mother your sister

starting with your mother your sister

starting with your mother your sister your girlfriend that niece of yours

your girlfriend that niece of yours

your girlfriend that niece of yours Gabrielle just $2,000

Gabrielle just $2,000

Gabrielle just $2,000 once my commission number one ray liotta

once my commission number one ray liotta

once my commission number one ray liotta as Henry Hill Goodfellas he’s the man

as Henry Hill Goodfellas he’s the man

as Henry Hill Goodfellas he’s the man who became an FBI informant and helped

who became an FBI informant and helped

who became an FBI informant and helped take down 50 of his mob pals and it’s

take down 50 of his mob pals and it’s

take down 50 of his mob pals and it’s Liotta’s depiction of Hill as an

Liotta’s depiction of Hill as an

Liotta’s depiction of Hill as an outsider that makes this performance so

outsider that makes this performance so

outsider that makes this performance so memorable Jimmy and I could never be

memorable Jimmy and I could never be

memorable Jimmy and I could never be made because we had Irish blood didn’t

made because we had Irish blood didn’t

made because we had Irish blood didn’t even matter that my mother was Sicilian

even matter that my mother was Sicilian

even matter that my mother was Sicilian to become a member of a crew you’ve got

to become a member of a crew you’ve got

to become a member of a crew you’ve got to be 100% Italian so they can trace all

to be 100% Italian so they can trace all

to be 100% Italian so they can trace all your relatives back to the old country

your relatives back to the old country

your relatives back to the old country you are sympathized with a man who grew

you are sympathized with a man who grew

you are sympathized with a man who grew up in mafia culture and proudly

up in mafia culture and proudly

up in mafia culture and proudly proclaims at the beginning of the film

proclaims at the beginning of the film

proclaims at the beginning of the film as far back as I can remember I always

as far back as I can remember I always

as far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a gangster

even the real life he’ll praise Liotta’s

even the real life he’ll praise Liotta’s performance often appearing in the media

performance often appearing in the media

performance often appearing in the media in support of the film we don’t want to

in support of the film we don’t want to

in support of the film we don’t want to know what he would have done had he not

know what he would have done had he not

know what he would have done had he not liked it do you agree with our list

liked it do you agree with our list

liked it do you agree with our list which gangster seemed real to you I was

which gangster seemed real to you I was

which gangster seemed real to you I was raised on a farm in Mooresville Indiana

raised on a farm in Mooresville Indiana

raised on a farm in Mooresville Indiana my mama died when I was 3 my daddy beat

my mama died when I was 3 my daddy beat

my mama died when I was 3 my daddy beat the hell out of me because he didn’t

the hell out of me because he didn’t

the hell out of me because he didn’t know no better way to raise me a more

know no better way to raise me a more

know no better way to raise me a more tough guy top 10s published every day be

tough guy top 10s published every day be

tough guy top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com

sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com

sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com you’re warned don’t ever go over my head

you’re warned don’t ever go over my head

you’re warned don’t ever go over my head again you motherf ker you

”

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