| REEL FACE: | REAL FACE: |
Robert De Niro
Born: August 17, 1943 Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA | Frank 'Lefty' Rosenthal
Born: June 12, 1929 Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA Death: October 13, 2008, Miami Beach (heart attack) |
Joe Pesci
Born: February 9, 1943 Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, USA | Anthony 'The Ant' Spilotro
Born: May 19, 1938 Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA Death: June 14, 1986, Bensenville, Illinois (beaten to death) |
Sharon Stone
Born: March 10, 1958 Birthplace: Meadville, Pennsylvania, USA | Geraldine McGee Rosenthal
Born: May 16, 1936 Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA Death: November 9, 1982, Los Angeles (drug overdose) |
Frank Vincent
Born: April 15, 1937 Birthplace: North Adams, Massachusetts, USA Death: September 13, 2017, New Jersey, USA (heart attack) | Frank Cullotta
Born: December 14, 1938 Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA |
Unlike the portrayal in the movie Casino where Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro) runs only one casino, the Tangiers, in real life Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal ran four casinos simultaneously, including the Stardust, Hacienda, Fremont and Marina for the Chicago mafia. For legal reasons, the Stardust was renamed the Tangiers in the film. -Las Vegas Sun
According to Frank Rosenthal himself, yes, this did occur but not under the circumstances portrayed in the movie Casino. The two men who were electronically signaling each other were part of a larger group that had been scamming all the casinos for an extended period of time. The actions taken were meant as a message to the group to deter any of the others from coming back to do the same. -Miami Herald
The Casino movie true story reveals that Sam and Ginger Rothstein's real-life counterparts, Frank and Geraldine Rosenthal, had a daughter named Stephanie and a son name Steven. Geraldine also had a daughter from a previous relationship with her high school love, Lenny Marmor (James Woods' character in the movie). Robin Marmor was born on December 27, 1957, and was eleven years old when her mother met Frank. She was not depicted in the movie. To learn more about Frank Rosenthal's wife and family, read Nicholas Pileggi's book Casino, which was the basis for the Martin Scorsese movie.
Yes. In December 1979, Tony Spilotro, the real-life Nicky Santoro, was blacklisted by the Nevada Gaming Commission, preventing him from entering any casino.
Yes. In 1966, Tony and Nancy Spilotro (the real Nicky and Jennifer Santoro) adopted their only son, Vincent. -The Battle for Las Vegas: The Law vs. The Mob
Yes, the real Nicky Santoro, Tony Spilotro, did sleep with Frank Rosenthal's wife, which ultimately played a part in his demise. Nicholas Calabrese testified in the Operation Family Secrets trial in 2007 that mob hit man John Fecarotta told him that Spilotro was targeted for his affair with Rosenthal's wife. -Chicago Tribune
Yes. The real Sam, Frank Rosenthal, did have a hearing with the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Furthermore, he argued with the chairman, the current Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and was denied a gaming license. In 1988, he was officially put in the "Black Book" (List of Persons Excluded from Licensed Gaming Establishments in the State of Nevada). -Las Vegas Sun
Yes he did. The Frank Rosenthal Show was taped at the Stardust and brought in many big-name guests, including Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Wayne Newton, Liberace and O.J. Simpson. For those of you who are curious, he claims to have never juggled on the show. -FrankRosenthal.com
Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, the real Sam, is credited with putting sports betting in Las Vegas casinos. In 1976, he set up the first sports book in the Stardust, which featured six large televisions. -USA Today
Yes. According to Frank, the real story is that he filed for the divorce and for full custody of their children. Geri did not contest it. Their divorce was finalized on January 16, 1981. -FrankRosenthal.com
No. The Casino movie character Artie Piscano was based on Carl "Tuffy" DeLuna. The raid on his home happened on February 14, 1979. Unlike what is depicted in the movie, Tuffy did not die of a heart attack during the raid. He was sentenced to prison for his participation in skimming Las Vegas casinos and was released in 1998. He died ten years later on July 21, 2008 in Kansas City, Missouri. -The Chicago Syndicate
Yes. The true story behind Geri Rosenthal (Ginger in the movie) reveals that her interaction with these people ultimately led to her untimely death. On November 9, 1982, at the age of 46, she died in an LA motel from a drug overdose of valium, cocaine and whiskey. She is buried in Mount Sinai Cemetery in Los Angeles.
According to Nicholas Pileggi, author of the book Casino, Frank Rosenthal was extremely meticulous. He did regulate the number of blueberries per muffin, with each muffin containing at least ten blueberries. -NY Times
Watch video featuring interviews with Frank Rosenthal, the real Sam Rothstein, portrayed by Robert De Niro in the movie. Also, see footage of Tony Spilotro, the real Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci).
WATCH Frank Rosenthal InterviewWatch Frank Rosenthal interviews and
historic video featuring mobster Anthony
Spilotro, portrayed by Joe Pesci in the
movie Casino. |
WATCH Casino TrailerWatch the Casino movie trailer
for the film starring Robert De Niro, Joe
Pesci and Sharon Stone. Directed by Martin
Scorcese, Casino tells the story
of sports handicapper Frank 'Lefty'
Rosenthal in mob-run Las Vegas during the
1970's. |