He is well known for his friendship and mentorship of FBI undercover agent Joseph D. Pistone, who Ruggiero knew as Donnie Brasco. Evil-doer Donnie beats the owner and takes his Porsche as repayment. "[14] The Playlist called it one of Pacino's best performances, writing "though Scent of A Woman, Two Bits and even (relatively) Heat showcased Pacino at his most exuberantly grandiose, Brasco brings him back to a performance of stealth and nuance".[21]. Michael Madsen, Bruno Kirby, James Russo, and Anne Heche appeared in supporting roles. "[6] Ruggiero was the epitome of a wiseguy and had the respect of other mobsters. Sonny Black also orders Lefty to kill Nicky for lying about a drug deal and suspecting he snitched on the crew in Florida. If you are going to edit a lot, then make yourself a user and login. Was having a moustache really not allowed at the time? See production, box office & company info, (book "Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia"), Siskel & Ebert: The Empire Strikes Back: Special Edition/When We Were Kings/Blood & Wine/Lost Highway/Margaret's Museum. Donnie Brasco. Pistone was a consultant on Donnie Brasco to add authenticity to the fictionalized portrayals and settings. Over the next few months, both men avoided the Bonanno bosses. Ramona shares her experiences growing up in that life and how she now strives for normalcy as she is a mom to four beautiful children. Boy could I not be more wrong. He has served as an executive producer on movies relating to the Mafia, including the 2006 film 10th & Wolf. It Appears That The Worst Kind Of Black Lung Disease In Coal Miners Is On The Rise, Judge Rules 30-Year-Old Must Finally Move Out Of His Parents' House, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Weeks went by and Ruggiero and Pistone hadnt heard from the Milwaukee mob boss. Soon "Lefty" made Donnie Brasco his new business associate. ', Then:Zeljko Ivanek played Tim Curley, an FBI associate. Downsizing the Mob - Slate Magazine [2] After the 1979 murder of Carmine Galante, Pistone reported to captain Dominick "Sonny Black" Napolitano. He befriends a small-time hoodlum called Lefty, who he forms a genuine friendship with . First of all, I want to add that I LOVE Pacino's work. [4] Pistone detailed his undercover experience in his 1988 book Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia, the basis of the 1997 film about his life. The next day the FBI visited Black in New York. I couldn't help but feel anguish for him, because I knew that he would suffer the consequences of Donnie's real identity when it would have come to light. Ruggiero admitted to Pistone that he felt threatened while in the presence of Balistrieri. Black was furious and threatened to kill agent Robb. "[13] Entertainment Weekly called it a "wonderfully dense, clever, and moving gangland thriller," and gave it an A, also praising Paul Attanasio's screenplay as "a rich, satisfying gumbo of back stabbing, shady business maneuvers, and mayhem. "[16] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone praised the film, saying that "Donnie Brasco is one terrific movie. Since then, he appeared in tons of films, including 'Sideways,' 'Shoot 'Em Up,' 'Fred Claus,' 'Rock of Ages' and 'Cosmopolis.' Furthermore, he lied to the bosses when he said Pistone had made $250,000 in a heroin deal and had not shared the money with the family. By 1977, Ruggiero owed Marangello $160,000. His life was used in an episode of FBI: The Untold Stories. Suspecting a setup, Sonny Black and his crew return to New York and gun down Sonny Red and two other mobsters in an ambush. He was played by Al Pacino, who also portrayed Michael Corleone in the Godfather film series, John Milton in The Devil's Advocate, Big Boy in Dick Tracy, Tony Montana in Scarface, David Fisk in Righteous Kill, Shylock in The Merchant of Venice, Richard III in Looking for Richard, Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way, Walter Burke in The Recruit, Willy Bank in Ocean's Thirteen, Roy Cohn in Angels in America, and Wilhelm Zuchs in Hunters. FBI agents reveal Donnie's true identity as an undercover FBI agent to Sonny Black. Congressmen taking bribes. [4] Ruggiero joined the Bonanno family organization as a young man, serving as a street soldier under caporegime Michael Sabella. With the deal gone south, the Bonanno bosses were looking for someone to blame. In January 2006, Donnie Brasco was released as part of a DVD mob box set along with Snatch, Bugsy and The American Gangster. [1] By dodging this bullet, the family kept its leadership intact and was able to consolidate its power once again. After Galante's murder, Philip Rastelli took over, running the organization from prison. If found guilty he would be killed. [21][22] The evidence collected by Pistone led to over 200 indictments and over 100 convictions of Mafia members. [11], In November 1982, Ruggiero, along with Santora, Antonio Tomasulo, and Anthony "Fat Tony" Rabito, was convicted in a six-week jury trial for racketeering conspiracy, and received a 15-year prison sentence. After the FBI pulled Pistone from his deep cover in mid-1981, his evidence led to the imprisonment of over a hundred leading Mafiosi leading to the implosion of the American Mafia. [5][6] He is of Calabrian and Sicilian heritage, and grew up in Paterson, New Jersey,[3][5] where he attended Eastside High School. For the Spanish-language television series based on the film, see, "Donnie Brasco: Out from the Shadows", featurette appearing on, The Playlist. Was having a moustache really not allowed at the time? His first Mafia mentor, Tony Mirra, had just been released from prison. What is the first song during the opening credits? [25][26], Pistone lives in an undisclosed location with his wife Maggie and their three daughters, under assumed names. Watching nature documentaries.Having Donnie over to his house for dinner. Up next, he has roles in 'Into the Woods' and 'Mortdecai,' and is rumored to have a small part in Kevin Smith's new horror movie 'Tusk.' What is a skipper, wiseguy and connected guy? Amazon, the Amazon logo, MYHABIT, and the MYHABIT logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Balistrieri had in fact discovered that Conte was an FBI informant, but did not bother to inform the Bonanno bosses or Ruggiero. Lefty: [standing next to Donnie's car at night] There's the boss. Donnie Brasco - Donnie meets Lefty - that's a Fugazi - give it to someone who don't know -Al PacinoDonnie Brasco 1997 Directed by Mike Newell starring Johnny. On May 5, 1981, Indelicato and two other rebel capos, Philip Giaccone and Dominick Trinchera, were lured to a meeting and murdered.[7]. -340-66637-4. While they are in a jail cell, Lefty notes that in order for the police to perform a raid that quickly, someone would have had to rat them out. All the members of Sonny Black's crew aside from Donnie were Soldatos.Skipper is another term for a Caporegime "Capo" or Captain. [6][1] For the undercover operation, the false identity of Donald "Donnie" Brasco was created, with a backstory that involved work as a low-level jewel thief. He has such a commanding presence on screen and nobody in cinematic history can scream as well as him (though Gene Hackman is damn good). [5] Pacino and Depp were ultimately cast in the co-starring roles, and Pistone was hired as a consultant to help them develop their characters. Maggie shovels snow and complains about the cold at the same time that Lefty and Donnie are in Florida, reading. Donnie Brasco (1997) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by Mike Newell . Joseph Pistone retired from the FBI after Operation Donnie Brasco was shut down and received a $500 check for his efforts. When, after an absence of several years, Al Pacino returned to the screen in Sea of Love (1989), he . Ruggiero relished life as a mobster. Now in 1979, Pistone had entered his fourth-year undercover. Crimes Ruggiero was also called, but on his way, the Feds picked him up and he was taken into protective custody. [1] In Florida, Pistone worked with another FBI agent working undercover as Tony Rossi. [3], On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Donnie Brasco has an approval rating of 88% based on 57 reviews, with an average rating of 7.80/10. In the film, some of the men in the mob are referred to as a skipper, connected guy or wiseguy. Personality confrontational, proud, crude. Donnie is an associate, as he is not a member and proving to the Bonannos he is a good earner.Wiseguy is a soldier or Soldato a made man in a crime family. Donnie Brasco is a 1997 American crime drama film directed by Mike Newell, and starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp. Lefty: Bullshit. **We go live to tape as we had some technical difficulties**. [6], Shortly thereafter, on August 17, 1981, Napolitano was murdered for having allowed an FBI agent to infiltrate the family; he was shot dead and his hands were cut off. [nb 1], In the 1997 film Donnie Brasco, Benjamin Ruggiero was portrayed by Al Pacino. Donnie Brasco 1997 R 2h 7m IMDb RATING 7.7 /10 316K YOUR RATING Rate POPULARITY 2,272 166 Play trailer 0:37 1 Video 99+ Photos Biography Crime Drama An FBI undercover agent infiltrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life, at the expense of his regular one. Pistone is asked by his FBI supervisor to incorporate Miami-based undercover FBI Agent Richie Gazzo into the Donnie Brasco operation. [35], In May 2020, Pistone started a podcast called Deep Cover: The Real Donnie Brasco. The SopranosCon CEO Is Making It a Reality. Ruggiero once nearly discovered Brasco's true identity. [11] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale. Physical Strength She is an actress, known for Donnie Brasco (1997), Law & Order (1990) and Safe (1995). Up next, Nelson stars in 'The Homesman,' directed by Tommy Lee Jones. What I found was this second hand mobster, an ambitious and highly committed to the "family" man that wanted to climb the ranks and rise as the new boss, but couldn't, and not for the same reason Henry Hill and Jimmy Conway couldn't, not for a blood matter, but because he wasn't respected. An FBI undercover agent infiltrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life, at the expense of his regular one.An FBI undercover agent infiltrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life, at the expense of his regular one.An FBI undercover agent infiltrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life, at the expense of his regular one. In November 1982, Ruggiero was sentenced to 15 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy; he was released in April 1993 before his death from cancer. His whole life was consumed by being a wiseguy, by being a member of the Mafia.. Depp also played Captain Jack Sparrow in all four 'Pirates of the Caribbean' films, and recently starred in 'The Lone Ranger' and 'Transcendence.' Lefty finds Bruno's hideout and takes Donnie there. So, you know, I had no way of getting rid of a wire.. Donnie Brasco - All The Tropes Yes, yes, and let me explain myself. And, under him, there's the skipper. They are not members of a family or "made" and rarely get access to serious mafia secrets and or information. [3] He died on November 24, 1994. Type of Villain When Lefty was arrested he was in a car being driven to a meeting. When Pistone's operation was ended on July 26, 1981, the FBI intercepted and arrested Ruggiero on August 29, 1981. Here played Lefty Ruggiero, an aging mobster looking for a way back to prominence when he meets Donnie Brasco (who is really FBI Agent Joe Pistone). Now 78, Pistone is arguably the most influential law enforcement officer in American history, exceeding the likes of Wyatt Earp and Eliot Ness. While Pistone was in Florida, Bonanno boss Carmine Galante was murdered in the courtyard of a Brooklyn restaurant. This is Thesecret1070. Depp was previously known for starring in the Tim Burton films 'Edward Scissorhands' and 'Ed Wood,' as well as films like 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape' and 'Benny and Joon.'. [15][16] About Napolitano's fate, Pistone had stated, "My intention in all of this was to put people in jail, not get them killed". Product Information. Donnie Brasco (1997) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb With his family in attendance, Pistone attends a small private ceremony for his service, being awarded a medal and a $500 check. (Blacks body would be found almost a year later on Aug. 12, 1982). The Bonannos blamed Black and Ruggiero for letting an informant into their ranks. Ramona Rizzo, Karen Gravano, Micky Ward (The Fighter Inspiration) and me. Donnie Brasco - Donnie meets Lefty - that's a Fugazi - give it to Getty ImagesJoseph Pistone after the undercover investigation. In 1978 New York City, Lefty Ruggiero, an aging enforcer in the Bonanno crime family, meets Joe Pistone, a young undercover FBI agent posing as jewel thief "Donnie Brasco". Napolitano later contacted Pistone, whom he hoped to make a made man,[8] to murder Alphonse "Sonny Red" Indelicato's son, Anthony "Bruno" Indelicato,[9] who had previously evaded death after missing a May 1981 meeting which left Indelicato, Phillip Giaccone, and Dominick Trinchera dead. The Lefty depicted in this film was actually based off several different mobsters Joe Pistone met while infiltrating the Bonnano family, including soldier Anthony Mirra as well as Dominick "Sonny Black" Napolitano. Donnie Brasco (1997) - User Reviews - IMDb All right?". [5][6] DiGiaimo brought it to Levinson's Baltimore Pictures, as well as producers Mark Johnson and Gail Mutrux, who then turned to Paul Attanasio to write the script. Pistone was a pioneer in long-term undercover work. [7], Donnie Brasco premiered in Century City, California on February 24, 1997. Joe Pistone (Johnny Depp) is an FBI mole who integrates himself into the Mafia pecking order by posing as "jewel man" Donnie Brasco. Gangland Graveyard", "Joe Pistone talks about Donnie Brasco on 'Inside the American Mob', "WP Has a "Sit-Down" with Joe Pistone/Donnie Brasco", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joseph_D._Pistone&oldid=1152490938, This page was last edited on 30 April 2023, at 15:21. Lefty hates above all to be made a fool - to be made a "dumski." Donnie Brasco (1997) - Frequently Asked Questions - IMDb They tried calling but Balistrieri never returned their calls. You can see him next as the villain Rhino in 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2,' and he'll star in 'Love and Mercy,' 'Madame Bovary' and 'The Congress. Donnie Brasco (1997) - IMDb Hi. External Reviews They report to the higher ups, and are like mini bosses of their territories and neighborhoods. [5] Frears was adamant about casting Pacino to play Lefty. Before leaving the apartment, he kisses his wife and places all of his valuables in a drawer. Pistone was not allowed to defend himself because he was not yet a full mob member. They told him of Donnie Brascos true identity, showing him pictures of Pistone posing with his badge and other agents. Lefty first met Joe Pistone under the alias of "Donnie Brasco" when he was posing as a jewel thief and suspected a diamond dealer might have ripped Lefty off by selling him a fake ring. The film earned $11.6 million from 1,503 theaters during its opening weekend. ', Now:Madsen reunited with his 'Reservoir Dogs' director Quentin Tarantino for both 'Kill Bill' films, and appeared in 'Sin City.' Pistone's behavior increasingly becomes more like that of the criminal he pretends to be, even hitting Maggie when she talks back to him. Lefty Ruggiero in my mind was the ultimate wiseguy. Over the last few weeks, Pistone gathered all the final pieces of information on the Mafia he could from Ruggiero and Black. | Fox Show.'. We also had former Mafia captain Michael Franzese who was making between $5 million to $8 million a week (yes a week) back in the 80s. In 1992, Ruggiero was released 11 years into his prison sentence due to illness. User Reviews An imposing mafia hit man, one Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero needs some advice on a jewel he as been given as collateral. Pistone finally found his ticket into the New York Mafia after Mirra introduced him to Benjamin Lefty Guns Ruggiero. Donnie Brasco. As I look at the ravaged state of New Yorks Five Families and its Mafia Commission today, I feel more than satisfied that my unfinished business is finally finished. The above quote was made by former undercover FBI agent Joseph Pistone, better known by his alias Donnie Brasco. Donnie Brasco and Her Current Life Ramona shares her experiences growing up in that life and how she now strives for normalcy as she is a mom to four beautiful children. An FBI undercover agent infiltrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life, at the expense of his regular one. He kisses Annette goodnight, and after she goes in her bedroom he sneaks around to a drawer where he keeps his personal items. While Donnie puts his life at risk, his real life crumbles as he never sees his wife or children. 1982)", "6 GET JAIL TERMS IN RACKETS CASE TIED TO MOBSTERS", UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. BENJAMIN RUGGIERO, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lefty_Ruggiero&oldid=1152492513, "Lefty", "Lefty Guns", "Mister Violence", "Hefty Lefty", "Horse Cock" and "Lefty Two Guns", Pistone, Joseph D.; & Woodley, Richard (1999). Knowing the fatal consequences that await him for unknowingly letting an FBI agent infiltrate the crime family, Lefty leaves behind his valuables and tells his wife that if Donnie calls to tell him "if it was going to be anyone, I'm glad it was him", before he is called to a meeting with his crew. His film output in recent years hasn't been as impressive as his earlier work, with roles in 'Jack and Jill' with Adam Sandler and 'Stand Up Guys.' FBIUndercover agent Joseph Pistone as Donnie Brasco. Pistone, Joseph D.; & Brandt, Charles (2007). The Bonanno family told Ruggiero that he would have to repay Marangello before he could become a made man. Ramona Rizzo, Former Mob Wife Says Donnie Brasco Was Full of Sh*t ", "F.B.I. The contract was dropped by Paul Castellano, who headed the Commission, as he thought killing a federal agent would "attract too much attention". Donnie Brasco: Yeah, it's like in the army. For six long years, Joseph Pistone abandoned his personal life and worked his way up the rungs of the Bonanno crime family as Donnie Brasco. 10 and at the Office of Naval Intelligence for three years before being sworn into the FBI on July 7, 1969, and assigned to Jacksonville, Florida. Mustache Pete refers to member of the Sicilian mafia who migrated to the U.S. in the early 20th century. Something had happened. But the undercover man also knows, throughout "Donnie Brasco," that Lefty will be the one to pay the price for Donnie's treachery when the FBI scam is eventually exposed. The quick change in emotion clearly states he was trying to cheat Lefty. Madsen was previously well known for roles in 'Reservoir Dogs,' 'Wyatt Earp' and the family film 'Free Willy. November 24, 1994, is the most commonly cited death date, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia, "Long mob war over jewelry collection likely to leave 'Mob Wives' star less than bedazzled", "TIGHT-HIT FAMILY CLOSE CUZ CHOSEN TO KILL 'BRASCO' WISEGUY", "FAMILY TIES MADE IT EASY TO WHACK CUZ: MOB THUG", "United States v. Napolitano, 552 F. Supp. Ruggiero earned his nickname "Lefty" from tossing dice left-handed while playing craps. [2], Pistone was responsible for a lucrative business venture in Holiday, Florida, when he opened and operated the King's Court Bottle Club. [1] While Pistone was undercover, he informed on the activities of the Mafia during some of the most volatile power struggles in organized crime. However, Black got in first. He was described by the real Joseph Pistone as a 24/7 gangster. He popped up on shows like 'CSI: Miami,' '24' and had a stint on 'Celebrity Big Brother' in the UK. Born October 19, 1951 Add photos, demo reels Add to list More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Photos Known for Donnie Brasco 7.7 Annette 1997 Law & Order 7.8 TV Series Diane Wharsey Origin Ronnie Farer was born on 19 October 1951 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA. And Donnie grows increasingly fond of the irresistible Lefty. (music by) Cinematography by Peter Sova . Joseph Dominick Pistone (born September 17, 1939) is an American former FBI agent who worked undercover as Donnie Brasco between September 1976 and July 1981,[nb 1] as part of an infiltration primarily into the Bonanno crime family, and to a lesser extent the Colombo crime family, two of the Five Families of the Mafia in New York City. "I represent you. I didn't want it to, I genuinely wished the best to him because I felt for him, but I also knew it was inevitable, and when the moment came, he knew, and the scene was simply heartbreaking. What are the differences between the theatrical version and Special Edition? See the Cast of 'Donnie Brasco' Then and Now - ScreenCrush More recently, she appeared in the films 'Arthur Newman' and 'Nothing Left to Fear,' and had roles on the short-lived NBC shows 'Save Me' and 'The Michael J. From 2006 to 2008, she starred in the series 'Men in Trees,' and from 2009 to 2011, she co-starred with Thomas Jane in acclaimed HBO series 'Hung.' [1] Nonetheless, Pistone's work later helped convince the FBI that using undercover agents in lieu of relying exclusively on informants was a crucial tool in law enforcement. Released in 1997, 'Donnie Brasco' starred Johnny Depp as an FBI agent who goes undercover to infiltrate a crime family and is befriended by hitman Lefty Ruggiero, played by Al Pacino. Ramonas path intersected with them and other notable players in the mob. Meaning he took the mob code of Omert (code of silence) very seriously. He also starred on the miniseries 'The Capture of the Green River Killer' and 'Hatfields and McCoys,' and reunited with Depp again in 2009 for 'Public Enemies.' He finds his loyalties divided when Lefty Ruggiero, a jaded hit man, takes him on as a protg and places real trust in him. Edit, Mike Newell's mafia drama was released as an extended version initially exclusively in the USA. March 05, 19973:30 AM. Donnie Brasco Ending Explained: Explaining the True Story Behind the Movie Now:Russo reunited with Johnny Depp for the thriller 'The Ninth Gate,' and has appeared on the shows 'CSI,' 'CSI: Miami' and 'Dark Blue.' [1] Although Pistone resigned from the FBI in 1986, he continued to testify when called upon,[23] including at the Pizza Connection Trial. Ruggiero reportedly owned a cigarette boat that he kept docked on the East River in New York. Joe Pistone is an undercover FBI agent ordered to infiltrate the mob as Donnie Brasco. Then leaves and goes to die. A TriStar Pictures release. Black was promoted to underboss, which put him second-in-command only to the Bonanno family boss, Rusty Restelli. An FBI undercover agent infiltrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life, at the expense of his regular one.An FBI undercover agent infiltrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life, at the expense of his regular one.An FBI undercover agent infiltrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life, at the expense of his regular one. Sonny Black went to the meeting and as expected he was killed.It is debated whether or not Lefty was going to be killed. '. Pistone was an undercover FBI agent posing as an expert jewel thief named Donnie Brasco. He went into the bar under his apartment and left his valuables with the bartender whom he trusted. In order to convince his mob buddies of his authenticity, he would have to know little things as to what makes it real or fake.Another clue as to the ring being fake is the nightclub owner's attitude toward Donnie. After months of planning, in September 1976, Pistone started his undercover operationan operation that was initially intended to last for around six months turned into several years. Without a leader, the Bonanno family almost fell into anarchy. Lefty teaches Donnie the rules of the Mafia and introduces him to members of his crew, including Sonny Black, Nicky, Paulie, and rival crew leader Sonny Red. On July 26, 1981, the Donnie Brasco operation came to an end. Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia (Hodder & Stoughton. However, his character here (Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero) is a stark contrast from his earlier gangster roles. Ruggiero had never served time in prison; he had been arrested many times, but never jailed. When the FBI decides that it is time to pull the plug on the operation, Donnie realizes that, if he walks away, Ruggiero will certainly be the one punished. And why would he want to kill the whole Sonny Black crew? First of all, I want to add that I LOVE Pacino's work. Lefty is not some mafia kingpin. Mirra and Napolitano were murdered shortly afterwards. Next, read about how Little Caesar Salvatore Maranzano created the American Mafia. Donnie Brasco Review | Movie - Empire Ruggiero then split his take 50-50 with his capo (captain) Mike Sabella, who finally split his 25-percent with the Bonanno bosses. But in January 1981, on the night of the Las Vegas function, the police raided Knights Court. Along with fellow undercover agent Edgar Robb, they had the club renovated, installing listening devices and cameras behind the walls. Once I got to know Lefty pretty good and he got to the point where he trusted me and would talk around me and take me into his confidence regarding the Mafia business and who was who and what was going on, he got the impression that I had the ability to make a lot of money for him.. Unlike the movie where Lefty still loved Donnie. 1979. He had a reputation as a killer but on a daily basis was not prone to violence. What is a skipper, wiseguy and connected guy? He features prominently in episode 1 "Stayin' Alive in the '70s" and is the main focus of episode 2, "Operation Donnie Brasco". Ruggiero and Cersani were lookouts and were sent in after to clean up the massacre and dispose of the bodies, along with Napolitano, James Episcopia and Robert Caposio. He can scare the hell out of you with just one crazed look in his eye and he never gives a flat performance (well, except in Revolution). Edit, "A Stranger on Earth" by Dinah Washington. I know that even tho the movie suggests in the end that Lefty gets whacked by his mob family because he was the one to guarantee for Donnie aka Pistone, that's not factually right, that it was actually Sonny Black who was killed and that Lefty got "saved" by the FBI who wanted him to cooperate and then served some years and died of cancer. Donnie Brasco [Patrick Doyle] Donnie And Lefty (OST Soundtrack) Despite all this, I'm still gonna use the fictionalized ending of this beautiful character. In April 1981, all three rival capos were gunned down and the civil war was quickly over. Yes, yes, and let me explain myself. What was the significance of the matchbook Sonny gives Lefty just before the boat scene? Why did Sonny Red sabotage the Florida operation? As a part-owner, Ruggiero was able to put himself on the company payroll with a $5,000-a-month "no-show" job. Now:Nelson caught his big break a few years later in the Coen brothers' 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?,' and he starred in 'The Good Girl,' 'Minority Report,' 'Wonderland' and 'The Incredible Hulk.' Daniel Rennie is a freelance writer residing in Melbourne, Australia. Pistones ruse as a good earner, funneling FBI money into Mob hands made him a trusted and respected associate. Lower in the ranks, there was a change in leadership for Ruggiero and Pistone.