Albert Anastasia
Ruthless mob boss and co-founder of Murder, Inc.
Albert Anastasia was an Italian-American mobster and crime boss. He later changed his surname to Anastasia. During the Castellammarese War, Anastasia participated in the murder of Masseria on April 15, 1931, alongside other gunmen. He later became a leader of Murder, Inc., the enforcement arm of the National Crime Syndicate.
- known_for
- Co-founder of Murder, Inc.; waterfront control
Lore & Background
He later changed his surname to Anastasia. During the Castellammarese War, Anastasia participated in the murder of Masseria on April 15, 1931, alongside other gunmen.
Reader's Guide
As a co-founder of Murder, Inc., he oversaw a group of contract killers responsible for thousands of murders. His control of New York City's waterfront through dockworker unions gave him significant economic and political power. Anastasia's legacy is tied to the violent consolidation of the modern American Mafia and the institutionalization of organized crime in labor unions.
Did You Know?
- He participated in the murder of crime boss Giuseppe Masseria on April 15, 1931.
- He was nicknamed the 'Mad Hatter' and 'Lord High Executioner.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Albert Anastasia?
Umberto "Albert" Anastasia was an Italian-American gangster, hitman, and crime boss active in mid-20th century New York. He is best remembered as a co-founder of Murder, Inc. and as the head of what later became the Gambino crime family.
What was Albert Anastasia's role in Murder, Inc.?
Anastasia helped establish Murder, Inc. as the organized hit squad for the American Mafia, serving as one of its principal architects. He personally carried out and oversaw numerous contract killings on behalf of the mob's leadership.
Which crime family did Albert Anastasia lead?
He served as boss of the family that would later be known as the Gambino crime family, one of New York's Five Families. His leadership placed him among the most powerful figures in the post-war Italian-American underworld.
What territory did Albert Anastasia control?
For most of his criminal career, Anastasia held a grip on New York City's waterfront, managing the labor unions and smuggling operations tied to the docks. This waterfront empire gave him enormous economic power and influence over the city's criminal landscape.
How did Albert Anastasia's story end?
In 1957, Anastasia was lured to a barbershop in Brooklyn and shot dead by two hitmen. His assassination was ordered by his own family members, who saw him as a liability and a threat to their own positions.
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