Frank Costello Biography

Francesco Castiglia was born in 1891 and sailed to the US with his mother and sister at the age of five. In the States he grew up to become a member of a local gang by the age of thirteen, and he started using the name of Frank Costello, spending periods in jail throughout his teens.

Soon he became involved in the underworld, and he teamed up with Lucky Luciano, and they prospered in bootlegging, gambling and slot machines. Costello was considered by his fellow gangsters as an important link between the Mafia and people who dealt under the law.

When Luciano went to jail in 1936, he had to name someone as acting boss, and he chose Costello. After Luciano was deported to Italy in 1946 his associate Genovese decided to return to the States and become boss.

Costello acceded, to avoid trouble, but after an investigation into organised crime was launched by the government, Genovese wanted to get rid of him. He was safe however, as he spent much of the next few years in jail, on contempt of court and tax evasion charges.

Costello suffered a murder attempt soon after his release. He was shot in the head by hitman Vincent Gigante, who supposedly warned him by shouting before taking his shot. Costello survived, but Genovese’s position as boss was secured.

Some time after that, Costello made it clear to Genovese that he wanted peace. Genovese agreed to leave Costello alone, but made Costello give up his gambling connections, and eventually all underworld business.

Costello led a peaceful and quiet life in his final years and, in 1973, he died of a heart attack at a Manhattan hospital.