Guide Note:
Salvatore "Bill" Bonanno was the son of famed Prohibition-era crime boss Joseph Bonanno. After becoming involved in a mob war in the late 1960s, both Bonannos were exiled to Arizona. Bill Bonanno died of a heart attack on New Year's Day 2008 at the age of 75.
Fast Facts:
- Born: November 5, 1932
- Died: January 1, 2008
- Spouse: Rosalie Bonanno
- Served federal prison terms twice
- Co-authored book with Joseph Pistone, the real-life inspiration for the film Donnie Brasco
- Subject of bestseller Honor Thy Father by Gay Talese
- Ousted as acting head of Bonanno crime family in 1968 and exiled to Arizona
Brief Biography
As the son of crime boss Joseph Bonanno, Bill Bonanno was groomed to take over the Bonanno crime family after his father's retirement. However, when his father disappeared in the 1960s, Bill, who had been the consiglieri, became acting head of the organization. After narrowly escaping an attempt on his life, he agreed to retire from organized crime and permanently relocate to Arizona. In 1999, the younger Bonanno began capitalizing on his knowledge of organized crime and on his colorful and violent family history by co-producing a five-hour miniseries on Showtime about his father.
