Frank Costello

Frank “the Prime Minister” Costello was the underboss of Lucky Luciano for many years until Lucky’s arrest in Italy when Costello became acting Don of the Luciano Family. He retired after Vincent “the Chin” Gigante shot him in the head but missed his skull.

After the death of Masseria and Maranzano’s deaths in 1931, Lucky Luciano appointed Vito Genovese as his underboss and Frank the consigliere to the family. The consigliere is a highly respected position, it’s the lawyer to the family and to the don. He only left the position when he was appointed acting boss by Luciano. He brought in millions of dollars a year.

Costello remained as boss until Gigante met with him in the lobby of a hotel. After they walked up to each other, Gigante said: “This is for you Frank.” He shot him but grazed his school-leaving him traumatized. This was orchestrated by Genovese to make him the boss of the family rather than Costello.

Costello died on February 18, 1973, after suffering a massive heart attack in his Manhattan home. His funeral was attended by 50 friends, relatives and law enforcement agents.