The Godfather

The Godfather Carlo Gambino was the boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City from 1957 until his death in 1976, consolidating power after the Apalachin Meeting and becoming one of the most influential Mafia leaders in American history, widely believed to be the inspiration for the character Vito Corleone in "The Godfather." He was indicted on various charges over the years but largely avoided conviction, partly through skilled legal maneuvering and a low public profile. He died of a heart attack at his home in Massapequa, New York, in October 1976, while still in power.