Interview with Ron Fried author of Frank Costello: A Novel

LITTLE ITALY · GIANNI’S EARLY YEARS

Before Hollywood, a different kind of mentor.

Before Hollywood, there was Little Italy. In Hollywood Godfather, Gianni recalls Frank Costello taking him under his wing during his New York childhood. He presents Costello as a powerful early influence on the life that followed. Gianni says he worked for Costello as a messenger for years and viewed him as a mentor. On the podcast, he revisits this relationship in “Mentoring by the Mob: Frank Costello.” This chapter presents Gianni’s personal recollections, with links to his memoir and interview.