Charles “Lucky” Luciano, born Salvatore Lucania was a central figure in American organized crime during the early 20th century.
Born in Italy, he emigrated to New York in 1906, where he rapidly became involved in criminal activities.
He rose through the ranks of the Mafia, first under Joe Masseria and later becoming the “boss of all bosses” following the assassinations of Masseria and rival Salvatore Maranzano.
Luciano played a crucial role in developing a national crime syndicate.
Even though he was imprisoned in 1936, he continued to lead from his cell even assisting with waterfront security during World War II.
Deported to Italy in 1946, he moved between Rome, Cuba and Naples, maintaining influence in the crime world, particularly in drug trafficking.
He died in 1962 in Naples, but was buried in Queens, New York.
See also: John Gotti Quotes from the American Gangster and Gangster Quotes, Sayings and Captions on Love, Friends and Loyalty
In this article, I have curated the most popular quotes by Lucky Luciano.
Best Lucky Luciano Quotes
We have a problem. Our problem is you… ~ Lucky Luciano.
Can I call you back? … I’m with his wife right now. ~ Lucky Luciano.
I am an American citizen, first class. I don’t have a bade that makes me an official good guy like you, but I’m work just as honest for a living. ~ Lucky Luciano.
I don’t accept the question. To live, I gotta kill ’em both. ~ Lucky Luciano.
If you have a lot of what people want and can’t get, then you can supply the demand and shovel in the dough. ~ Lucky Luciano.
I don’t have a wife, because emotion is dangerous. ~ Lucky Luciano.
You all know how I got this scar. Maybe Joe Profaci, here… ~ Lucky Luciano.
Well, you do realize that such a coarse of action would bring about your demise? ~ Lucky Luciano.
The law of the street was take or be taken. ~ Lucky Luciano.
Famous Lucky Luciano Quotes
I always thought of Annenberg as my sort of guy. ~ Lucky Luciano.
You destroyed my father! ~ Lucky Luciano.
Top Lucky Luciano Quotes
It’s too late to be good. ~ Lucky Luciano.
The world is changing and there are new opportunities for those who are ready to join forces with those who are stronger and more experienced. ~ Lucky Luciano.
You can’t make money with a gun in your hand. ~ Lucky Luciano.
Now, I have friends. They’re not from Palermo, they’re not from Sicily… They’re not even Italians. They’re Jewish. But they’re still my friends. And I trust ’em. ~ Lucky Luciano.
Popular Lucky Luciano Quotes
Meyer, from now on, you and me gotta agree. So if I start getting a swelled head, just shoot me. It’d be a lot less painful. ~ Lucky Luciano.
Hey’re gonna fry you in the chair. Nice and slow, and I’m gonna enjoy it. ~ Lucky Luciano.
I’ve learned. Every organization needs somebody standin’ out front. Call it a figurehead, a leader, a headman, a kingpin, a president, whatever. It doesn’t much matter to me who does it. ~ Lucky Luciano.
What are you sayin, Pop? That because I’m a greasy immigrant, all I can do is clean fish? That ain’t enough! I got a right to find work that uses my brain! ~ Lucky Luciano.
Don’t worry, Joe. Maybe you knew it was gonna happen to me, maybe you didn’t. But by the old way of doin’ things… If I became boss now, I’d have to hit you in case you knew. And all of you shrug, except some of you are friends of Joe’s. And one day I might do something that upsets you, so then you’ll hit me. And then YOU’LL become boss. My friends, they’ll hate you for that. Then somebody else becomes boss, and so on, and on… You know what I call that? Stupid. Very stupid… We’re all bosses here. ~ Lucky Luciano.
So these were the 23 top Lucky Luciano quotes and sayings.
If you like these quotes and sayings, then you can also read my other posts on Jadakiss quotes and Andy Biersack quotes.
Quick Facts about Lucky Luciano
- Charles “Lucky” Luciano was a key figure in the development of organized crime and played a major role in the heroin trade.
- During Prohibition he gained fame by bootlegging alcohol using bribes and international imports to build his reputation in New York.
- Luciano was seen as the ideal mobster managing various illegal activities in New York and emphasizing the mob’s unity and secrecy.
- He founded “The Commission” a governing body for the mafia similar to the Supreme Court for dispute resolution.
- Even after being imprisoned Luciano continued to lead his mob through messages passed by visiting family counselors.
- In WWII Luciano struck a deal with the U.S. government offering mafia support in exchange for control over his mob from prison.
- His early prison release was conditional on his return to Sicily barring him from New York.
- Luciano secretly moved to Cuba to regain control of American mafia operations focusing on tourism and gambling and hosted the Havana Conference.
- His desire to return to America led to a power struggle within the American mob ultimately forcing him back to Italy.
- In a bid to regain power Luciano betrayed another mob boss leading to multiple arrests and increased police infiltration in the mafia.
Short Biography of Lucky Luciano
Charles “Lucky” Luciano an Italian-American gangster is often credited with shaping modern organized crime in the U.S.
Drawing inspiration from his life he resembles Don Corleone from “The Godfather.”
Born Salvatore Lucania in Sicily in 1897 he moved to New York City as a child seeking a way out of poverty.
Luciano turned to crime eventually leading a nationwide crime syndicate known as “The Commission.”
| Full Name | Salvatore Lucania |
|---|---|
| Born | November 24, 1897 |
| Birthplace | Lercara Friddi, Sicily, Italy |
| Died | January 26, 1962 (aged 64) Naples, Campania, Italy |
| Resting Place | Saint John’s Cemetery in Queens, New York, United States. |
| Known For | First head of the modern Genovese crime family, establishing the Commission, head of the modern American Mafia and the first and only head of the National Crime Syndicate. |
| Predecessor | Giuseppe Masseria |
| Successor | Frank Costello |
| Allegiance | Five Points Gang, National Crime Syndicate and Luciano crime family |
| Criminal Charge | Compulsory prostitution |
| Penalty | 30 to 50 years’ imprisonment |
Even though he was powerful, his reign faced a big challenge in 1936 when he was arrested in Hot Springs Arkansas on charges related to running a prostitution racket.
He was sent back to New York where he received a heavy sentence.
Luciano contributed to the WWII effort while in prison leading to his commutation and deportation to Italy in 1946.
He remained powerful until his death in 1962 and was buried in New York.
Films about Lucky Luciano
| Name of Film | Details |
|---|---|
| Marked Woman (1937) | Humphrey Bogart played the Dewey character, Eduardo Ciannelli played Luciano |
| Deported (1950) | Jeff Chandler played a character based on Luciano |
| The Valachi Papers (1972) | Angelo Infanti portrayed Luciano |
| Lucky Luciano (1973) | Gian Maria Volonté portrayed Luciano |
| Lepke (1975) | Vic Tayback portrayed Luciano |
| Brass Target (1978) | Lee Montague portrayed Luciano |
| The Cotton Club (1984) | Joe Dallesandro portrayed Luciano |
| Mobsters (1991) | Christian Slater portrayed Luciano |
| Bugsy (1991) | Bill Graham portrayed Luciano |
| Billy Bathgate (1991) | Stanley Tucci portrayed Luciano |
| White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd (TV 1991) | Robert Davi portrayed Luciano |
| The Outfit (1993) | Billy Drago portrayed Luciano |
| Sleepers (1996) | Features a character as a former hitman for Luciano |
| Hoodlum (1997) | Andy García portrayed Luciano |
| Bonanno: A Godfather’s Story (TV 1999) | Vince Corazza portrayed Luciano |
| Lansky (TV 1999) | Anthony LaPaglia portrayed Luciano |
| The Real Untouchables (TV 2001) | David Viggiano portrayed Luciano |
| Lansky (2021) | Shane McRae portrayed Luciano |
Popular Books about Lucky Luciano
| Book Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Luciano’s Luck, Jack Higgins (1981) | Fictional take on Luciano’s WWII efforts |
| The Last Testament of Lucky Luciano, Martin A. Gosch, Richard Hammer (1975) | Semi-Autobiographical, Luciano’s life story |
| Live by Night, Dennis Lehane (2012) | Luciano as a minor character in Joe Coughlin’s story |
| Lucky Santangelo novels, Jackie Collins | Named after Lucky Luciano |
TV Series about Lucky Luciano
| TV Series | Details |
|---|---|
| The Untouchables (1959–1962) | Robert Carricart portrayed Luciano |
| The Untouchables (1993–1994) | David Darlow portrayed Luciano |
| The Witness (1960–1961) | Telly Savalas portrayed Luciano |
| The Gangster Chronicles (1981) | Michael Nouri portrayed Luciano |
| Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014) | Vincent Piazza portrayed Luciano |
| The Making of the Mob: New York (2015) | Rich Graff portrayed Luciano |
| Hache (2019–2021) | Giampiero Judica portrayed Luciano |
