Who Were The Most Infamous Criminals Of The Last Century?

From John Dillinger to Pablo Escobar, the 20th century was the era when some of the world's most infamous gangsters rose to prominence, their names becoming synonymous with danger, power, and organized crime circles. The public feared them, but they were also fascinated by the men who left trails of violence, corruption, and deception in their wake. Here are 20 of the most notorious gangsters of the 20th century who continue to intrigue and horrify to this day.

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections / FBI on Wikimedia

1. Al Capone

Perhaps the most famous American mobster of the 20th century, Al Capone was the leader of the Chicago Outfit. He made his fortune bootlegging liquor during the prohibition era. As the orchestrator of the St. Valentine massacre, in which hundreds of gangsters were killed, he was an exceptionally smart but violent and dangerous man.

Chicago Bureau on Wikimedia

2. John Dillinger

John Dillinger was the leader of the Dillinger Gang during the Great Depression. A notorious bank robber, he was the architect of some of the country's most high-profile bank heists. He was imprisoned several times and escaped twice, but after being betrayed by one of his men, he was cornered and shot down by FBI agents in 1934. 

FBI on Wikimedia

3. Pablo Escobar

Colombia's infamous drug lord and leader of the Medellín Cartel, Pablo Escobar, built a massive drug empire in the 1970s and 80s, amassing an astounding amount of wealth. He resorted to extreme violence to control rivals, his war with law enforcement causing thousands of deaths. 

Colombian National Police on Wikimedia

4. Lucky Luciano

Lucky Luciano was often called the "father of modern American organized crime" because he transformed crime families into organized cooperatives with a governing body. Born in Sicily, he immigrated to NYC as a kid and quickly rose through the ranks of Italian gangs before being convicted of running a prostitution ring and sentenced to prison. He was eventually deported and spent the remainder of his life in Italy and Cuba.

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5. Henry Hill

Immortalized in the famous Scorsese film Goodfellas, based on his memoirs, Henry Hill was a mobster-turned FBI informant. He grew up idolizing gangsters and eventually worked for the Luchese crime family, participating in several major heists. He got caught dealing drugs and decided to cooperate with the FBI rather than go to prison, helping expose the inner workings of the mafia.

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6. Carlo Gambino

Carlo Gambino of the Gambino crime family ruled the American mafia for nearly 20 years. He became involved in bootlegging during Prohibition, eventually rising through the ranks and taking control of the family and even heading the Mafia's national governing body, The Commission. A fan of discretion, he managed to avoid any significant prison time and died of natural causes in his home.

New York Police Department on Wikimedia

7. Pretty Boy Floyd

Pretty Boy Floyd was an infamous bank robber in Depression-era America. He reportedly destroyed mortgage documents when robbing banks, earning him a reputation as a Robin Hood figure. He was eventually shot and killed by FBI agents in 1934. 

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8. Machine Gun Kelly

Machine Gun Kelly was a Prohibition-era American gangster. His most famous crime was the kidnapping of oil tycoon Charles F. Urschel. He demanded a ransom of $200,000, but was eventually tracked down by the FBI and arrested, spending the remainder of his days in prison.

United States Department of Justice on Wikimedia

9. Meyer Lansky

The "Mob's Accountant," Meyer Lansky, was known for his financial savvy, which he used to help transform the Mafia into a businesslike organization. He was in charge of bootlegging operations, money laundering, and gambling, developing casinos in Havana and Las Vegas. Despite being heavily monitored by the FBI, authorities never managed to convict him of anything, and he died of natural causes at the age of 80.

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10. Frank Costello

Frank Costello, nicknamed "Prime Minister of the Underworld" because of the immense influence he amassed, specialized in political corruption and gambling. He controlled extensive gambling operations in NYC and helped consolidate the Mafia under The Commission. 

Al Aumuller on Wikimedia

11. Arnold Rothstein

Arnold Rothstein, nicknamed "The Brain," because of his use of cunning and manipulation instead of violence to gain power. He got involved in organized crime despite coming from a wealthy family. He allegedly orchestrated the Black Sox Scandal of 1919, where members of the Chicago White Sox intentionally lost the World Series in exchange for bribes. 

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12. John Gotti

John Gotti was the head of the Gambino crime family in 1985. He became famous for avoiding conviction at multiple trials in the 80s, using his high-profile lifestyle and media-friendly persona to appeal to juries. He was eventually convicted of murder and other crimes in 1992 and sentenced to life in prison.

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13. Vito Genovese

Vito Genovese was the leader of the Genovese crime family in NYC. He got his start working for Lucky Luciano bootlegging liquor during Prohibition and eventually became a key player in the Mafia's governing body, The Commission. He was eventually convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to 15 years in prison, where he died.

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14. Legs Diamond

A Prohibition era gangster and bootlegger in NYC, Jack "Legs" Diamond got his nickname because of his ability to run from the law. He was famous for surviving multiple assassination attempts throughout his career, but his luck eventually ran out when he was gunned down by rival gangsters in 1931.

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15. James Coonan

James Coonan was an infamous mobster in NYC during the 70s and 80s. He was known for being exceptionally brutal and ruthless, which allowed him to consolidate Irish control in the NYC neighborhood, Hell's Kitchen, and expand his influence. He was eventually arrested for racketeering and spent several years in prison, during which time his gang's power declined. 

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16. The Kray Brothers

Ronnie and Reggie Kray, known collectively as The Kray Brothers, were notorious English gangsters who controlled London's East End in the 50s and 60s. They ran nightclubs and mingled with high society, maintaining a glamorous public image. They were eventually arrested and convicted of murder and other crimes, receiving a life sentence.

The National Archives UK on Wikimedia

17. Jacques Mesrine

Jacques Mesrine was a French criminal in the 60s and 70s who became famous for his ability to evade capture, his bold style, and media presence. He was known for his bank heists, kidnappings, prison escapes, and rebellious persona. He was eventually ambushed and shot down by French police in 1979. 

Antoine Rex on Wikimedia

18. Anthony Accardo

Anthony Accardo was the longtime boss of the Chicago Outfit, helping it expand into one of the most powerful criminal enterprises in the US. He got his nickname "Joe Batters" because of his reputation for using a baseball bat as a weapon. He rarely appeared in public, which allowed him to avoid being arrested for decades. 

Associated Press on Wikimedia

19. Bernardo Provenzano

Bernardo Provenzano was a notorious Sicilian gangster and leader of the Sicilian Mafia beginning in the 1980s. He was known for his methodical and cautious leadership style. He was finally arrested in 2006 at the age of 73, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in prison.

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20. Salvatore Rina

Salvatore Rina, or “The Beas,t” was considered the biggest gangster in the history of the Sicilian Mafia. He started his career in crime as a contract killer and rose through the ranks during Sicily's bloody mafia wars in the 1980s. He was finally arrested in 1993 after decades on the run and given multiple life terms for his involvement in the murders of more than 100 people. 

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