Frank Costello (born Francesco Castiglia; January 26, 1891 – February 18, 1973) was an Italian-American crime boss who played a pivotal role in the American Mafia. Born in Lauropoli, Italy, he moved to the United States with his family as a child. Growing up in New York City's East Harlem, Costello was introduced to gang activities by his brother and quickly became entrenched in the criminal underworld.
As a youth, Costello joined New York City gangs and formed a significant partnership with Charlie "Lucky" Luciano. During Prohibition, they were involved in extensive bootlegging operations and joined the National Crime Syndicate in 1929. From 1937, Costello served as the acting boss of the Luciano crime family, solidifying his influence within the organization.
Costello's criminal activities included robbery, theft, extortion, gambling, and narcotics. He worked alongside notable figures such as Vito Genovese, Meyer Lansky, and Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel. Their alliance prospered, especially with the passage of Prohibition in 1920. Costello became a U.S. citizen in 1925 and was deeply involved in bootlegging and bribery operations, leading to federal charges and conflicts with other gangsters.
Despite his criminal enterprises, Costello's influence extended beyond the underworld. He was a key player in organizing the National Crime Syndicate and the Big Seven, a cartel of East Coast bootleggers. His partnership with Luciano, Lansky, and other prominent gangsters shaped the structure of organized crime in America.
In the 1950s, Costello's power began to wane. He spent several years in prison for tax evasion and survived an assassination attempt ordered by Vito Genovese in 1957. Following the attempt on his life, Costello retired and relinquished control to Genovese, who then led what became known as the Genovese crime family.
Even in retirement, Costello remained influential. Known as "The Prime Minister of the Underworld," he continued to wield power and provide counsel to Mafia leaders, including Carlo Gambino and Tommy Lucchese. He maintained connections with old friends like Meyer Lansky and lived out his final years in relative peace, focusing on gardening and other personal interests.
Costello's life came to an end on February 18, 1973, following a heart attack. He was laid to rest in a private mausoleum in St. Michael's Cemetery in Queens. Despite his death, Costello's legacy endures as a defining figure in the history of organized crime in America.