SEASON 20 / EPISODE 365
From Mob Ties to Movie Icons with Miles Stephenson
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IN THIS CONVERSATION
The story behind the story.
On the Hollywood Godfather podcast, hosts Gianni and Jeanie welcome back filmmaker Miles Stinson, who discusses his documentary The Real Godfather about Joe Colombo and how the making of The Godfather intersected with New York’s mafia. Gianni shares stories from his youth, including receiving a radio from Carlo Gambino while quarantined at Bellevue, killing a pedophile that led to his release, and being protected and supported by Frank Costello, who later gifted him a million dollars and left him an apartment. Miles describes his family’s emphasis on education, his mentorship experiences interviewing Jon Voight for a Robert Duvall documentary, and promotes his Instagram. He announces a novel in progress about the Romanian mafia’s origins under communist Romania, outlines his research approach, and the hosts caution him about safety and offer help and contacts.
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Transcript source
The publisher supplies an automated transcript. It has not been editorially reviewed and may contain errors in names, dates or dialogue.
Open publisher transcript (text/vtt) ↗
NEW YORK · GIANNI’S PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
Carlo GambinoA New York connection. A lifetime of stories.
Carlo Gambino is part of the New York world Gianni revisits in his memoir and on the show. Recalling his childhood recovery from polio at Bellevue Hospital, Gianni says his nurse, Dolores Barone, was Gambino’s niece and looked after him during his stay. In later interviews, he describes working in New York’s mob circles and recalls Gambino’s protection. “Mentoring by the Mob: Carlo Gambino” returns to Gambino’s story and Gianni’s memories of their connection. Explore the people, work, and relationships that shaped his years before Hollywood, told through Gianni’s own recollections.
Gianni’s account · 2025 Gangsters Inc. interview ↗ Gianni’s 2019 VICE interview ↗
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