We are fascinated with mobsters and those affected by them, both in real life and on screen. "There's the reality of organized crime that nobody is in love with, and there's the mythologized version that everyone is in love with," said Ron Kuby, a lawyer who defended the late John Gotti. The cast of HBO's "The Sopranos," from left, Tony Sirico, Steve Van Zandt, James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli and Vincent Pastore. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/19/showbiz/gallery/james-gandolfini" target="_blank">Gandolfini</a> died on June 19, 2013 from a heart attack at age 51.
We are fascinated with mobsters and those affected by them, both in real life and on screen. "There's the reality of organized crime that nobody is in love with, and there's the mythologized version that everyone is in love with," said Ron Kuby, a lawyer who defended the late John Gotti. The cast of HBO's "The Sopranos," from left, Tony Sirico, Steve Van Zandt, James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli and Vincent Pastore. Gandolfini died on June 19, 2013 from a heart attack at age 51.
Getty Images
James "Whitey" Bulger, the reputed former head of Boston's Winter Hill Gang, was convicted on August 12, 2013 of racketeering and 11 counts of murder.
James "Whitey" Bulger, the reputed former head of Boston's Winter Hill Gang, was convicted on August 12, 2013 of racketeering and 11 counts of murder.
United States Marshal Service
Jimmy Hoffa was last seen outside the Machus Red Fox restaurant in suburban Detroit in 1975. He'd gone there to meet with reputed Detroit mob enforcer Anthony Giacalone and Anthony Provenzano, a New Jersey Teamsters boss, to settle a beef. There have been more than a dozen digs for Hoffa's remains since he vanished, most recently in a field near Detroit. Once again, authorities came up empty-handed.
Jimmy Hoffa was last seen outside the Machus Red Fox restaurant in suburban Detroit in 1975. He'd gone there to meet with reputed Detroit mob enforcer Anthony Giacalone and Anthony Provenzano, a New Jersey Teamsters boss, to settle a beef. There have been more than a dozen digs for Hoffa's remains since he vanished, most recently in a field near Detroit. Once again, authorities came up empty-handed.
Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
New York Mafia chief John Gotti was known as the "Dapper Don" for his expensive suits and "Teflon Don" due to government charges failing to stick in three trials. He was later convicted of murder and racketeering. He died of cancer at age 61 in 2002 while serving a life sentence.
New York Mafia chief John Gotti was known as the "Dapper Don" for his expensive suits and "Teflon Don" due to government charges failing to stick in three trials. He was later convicted of murder and racketeering. He died of cancer at age 61 in 2002 while serving a life sentence.
Getty Images
Marlon Brando plays the supreme don in "The Godfather" (1972), directed by Frances Ford Coppola and based on Mario Puzo's best-selling novel. Puzo stitched together slices of reality, weaving a tale so colorful that the FBI's wiretaps later captured real mobsters quoting from the book and subsequent movie.
Marlon Brando plays the supreme don in "The Godfather" (1972), directed by Frances Ford Coppola and based on Mario Puzo's best-selling novel. Puzo stitched together slices of reality, weaving a tale so colorful that the FBI's wiretaps later captured real mobsters quoting from the book and subsequent movie.
Paramount Pictures
Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, at center with two unidentified men, established crime syndicate-controlled gambling in Las Vegas.
Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, at center with two unidentified men, established crime syndicate-controlled gambling in Las Vegas.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
From left, Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Paul Sorvino and Joe Pesci in the mob drama "Goodfellas" (1990).
From left, Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Paul Sorvino and Joe Pesci in the mob drama "Goodfellas" (1990).
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
In "Married to the Mob" (1988), Dean Stockwell plays a mob boss who courts Michelle Pfeiffer's character, who is trying to escape the Mafia life after her husband is killed.
In "Married to the Mob" (1988), Dean Stockwell plays a mob boss who courts Michelle Pfeiffer's character, who is trying to escape the Mafia life after her husband is killed.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios
Vinny "The Chin" Gigante, shown here in 1997 while on trial in New York. Before his conviction for murder conspiracy and labor racketeering, Gigante was famous for mumbling to himself while walking the streets of Manhattan in a bathrobe. In 2003, he pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice charges for false claims of mental illness.
Vinny "The Chin" Gigante, shown here in 1997 while on trial in New York. Before his conviction for murder conspiracy and labor racketeering, Gigante was famous for mumbling to himself while walking the streets of Manhattan in a bathrobe. In 2003, he pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice charges for false claims of mental illness.
BOB STRONG/AFP/Getty Images
Lorraine Bracco plays Tony Soprano's psychiatrist in "The Sopranos." She made a career out of mob dramas, also playing Henry Hill's wife in "Goodfellas."
Lorraine Bracco plays Tony Soprano's psychiatrist in "The Sopranos." She made a career out of mob dramas, also playing Henry Hill's wife in "Goodfellas."
HBO
Steve Buscemi plays Atlantic City mobster Nucky Thompson in HBO's "Boardwalk Empire."
Steve Buscemi plays Atlantic City mobster Nucky Thompson in HBO's "Boardwalk Empire."
HBO