“Crazy” Joe Gallo was a murderous gangster who has been portrayed many times in books, films, and television. For one year in the early 70s, he was welcomed into New York’s elite high society.
As a juvenile delinquent he’d been declared schizophrenic, hence his nickname. In 1957, Crazy Joe allegedly murdered prominent crime figure Albert Anastasia in a barbershop.
In 1961, the Gallo crime family began a war with the Profaci family. Hostages were taken. Some of Gallo’s crew, including a brother, were killed. Joe Gallo never forgot that.
He was arrested and convicted on charges that included extortion and conspiracy.