Henry Hill

Henry Hill Jr.
Born	(1943-06-11) June 11, 1943 New York City, U.S.
Died	June 12, 2012(2012-06-12) (aged 69)
Occupation(s)	Criminal, FBI informant
Years active	1955–1980
Known for	Affiliation with Lucchese crime family; Lufthansa heist; Informant leading to 50 convictions

Henry Hill Jr. (June 11, 1943 – June 12, 2012) was an American criminal affiliated with the Lucchese crime family in New York City from 1955 until his arrest on drug charges in 1980. Following his arrest, he became an FBI informant, whose cooperation resulted in fifty convictions, including those of caporegime Paul Vario and associate James Burke. Hill was placed into the United States Federal Witness Protection Program but was removed from it in 1987.

Hill's life served as the basis for Nicholas Pileggi's true crime book Wiseguy: Life in a Mafia Family and the celebrated 1990 film Goodfellas, where Ray Liotta portrayed him. Additionally, the crime comedy My Blue Heaven, with a screenplay partially written by Pileggi’s wife Nora Ephron, offers a fictionalized account inspired by his story.

Early life

Henry Hill Jr. was born on June 11, 1943, in New York City. He was the son of Henry Hill Sr., an Irish-American electrician, and Carmela Costa, who immigrated from Sicily, Italy. Raised in the working-class neighborhood of Brownsville, Brooklyn, Hill faced academic challenges due to dyslexia.

From a young age, he looked up to local mob figures who frequented a nearby cabstand, notably Lucchese captain Paul Vario. At eleven years old, Hill began part-time work at this cabstand, running errands for businesses serving as fronts for Vario’s operations. By thirteen, he had met James "Jimmy the Gent" Burke, a notorious hijacker and associate of the Lucchese family.

In 1957, thanks to connections through Paul Vario’s brother and son, Hill obtained a sought-after union card from the bricklayers' local union. This card placed him on a contractor’s payroll with a weekly wage of $190 (in 1957 dollars). Although he only received a portion of this income, the union card allowed him to collect policy bets and loan repayments for Vario’s crew. Hill soon left high school to dedicate himself fully to working for the Varios.

Hill’s early criminal undertakings involved acts of arson targeting a rival cabstand operated by a newcomer from Alabama; alongside Tuddy Vario, he smashed windows and set fires to intimidate competitors.

At sixteen, Hill experienced his first arrest for attempting to use a stolen credit card. He chose not to cooperate with authorities during questioning, which earned him respect from both Vario and Burke. Like Hill, Burke was of Irish heritage and thus unable to become a "made man," but both were trusted associates who contributed financially and maintained silence.

At seventeen in 1960, Hill joined the United States Army, serving in the 82nd Airborne Division. Throughout his three-year enlistment, he maintained ties with mob contacts while engaging in side enterprises such as selling surplus food and untaxed cigarettes. He spent two months confined in the stockade due to car theft and involvement in bar fights before returning to New York in 1963.

Upon his return, Hill expanded his criminal activities into arson, intimidation tactics, organized vehicle thefts, and truck hijackings—offenses that marked the most infamous period of his criminal career.

In 1965, through Paul Vario’s introduction, Hill met Karen Friedman. Although their relationship started with difficulties, they began dating within New York’s nightlife scene that highlighted Hill’s lavish lifestyle. The couple eventually married in North Carolina with numerous mob associates present at their wedding.

Air France Heist

Just before midnight on April 6, 1967, Hill and Lucchese affiliate Tommy DeSimone arrived at the Air France cargo terminal within John F. Kennedy International Airport carrying an empty suitcase—the largest one Hill could obtain. Their inside contact, Robert McMahon, advised them to enter casually, as it was common for individuals to collect misplaced luggage. DeSimone and Hill accessed the unsecured area without opposition and used a duplicate key to unlock the door. With the aid of a small flashlight, they transferred seven bags into the suitcase and departed with a haul valued at (approximately $3.6 million in today's terms). The theft went unnoticed immediately—no alarms were triggered, no shots fired, and no injuries occurred. The crime came to light the following Monday when a Wells Fargo vehicle arrived to retrieve the cash destined for the French American Banking Corporation. Hill later believed this successful heist earned him significant respect within the broader Mafia network.

Restaurant Ownership and the Killing of William "Billy Batts" Bentvena

Hill invested his share from the robbery into acquiring The Suite, a restaurant located on Queens Boulevard, originally intending to establish a legitimate enterprise separate from mob affiliations. Nevertheless, within a few months, members of both Lucchese and Gambino factions—including prominent Gambino figures—frequented it as a mob gathering spot.

According to Wiseguy, upon William "Billy Batts" Bentvena’s release from prison in 1970, a welcome-back event at Robert's Lounge escalated tensions after Bentvena mocked DeSimone with jokes about shoe shining. Two weeks later, on June 11, 1970, Bentvena was ambushed and struck with a pistol by DeSimone at The Suite. Prior to assaulting him, DeSimone reportedly shouted, "Shine these fucking shoes!"

Following the attack, DeSimone, Burke, and Hill placed Bentvena's body in Hill’s car trunk. They stopped at DeSimone’s mother’s residence to retrieve a shovel and lime but realized Bentvena was still alive after hearing noises from the trunk. They halted the vehicle and fatally beat him using a shovel and tire iron. Bentvena’s remains were interred at a dog kennel owned by an acquaintance of Burke's in Upstate New York. When that kennel was sold three months later, Burke instructed Hill and DeSimone to exhume and relocate the corpse.

In Wiseguy, Hill recounted that Bentvena’s body was ultimately crushed in a car crusher at Clyde Brooks’ junkyard in New Jersey. However, in Goodfellas commentary, Hill mentions an initial burial in Robert’s Lounge basement before the remains were later destroyed.

Drug Operations

In November 1972, Burke and Hill were apprehended in Tampa, Florida, for assaulting Gaspar Ciaccio, who allegedly owed substantial gambling debts to union leader Casey Rosado. Convicted of extortion, both received ten-year sentences at United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg. While incarcerated, Hill encountered an inmate from Pittsburgh who instructed him in techniques for smuggling drugs into prison.

During Hill’s imprisonment, his wife Karen engaged in an affair with Vario. DeSimone attempted to rape Karen and physically assaulted her when she resisted. It is believed that Vario subsequently informed the Gambino family about DeSimone’s role in Bentvena’s murder, which contributed to DeSimone’s eventual assassination.

After being paroled on July 12, 1978, Hill resumed his illicit activities by entering the narcotics trade. Despite restrictions imposed by the Lucchese family against drug trafficking, Burke eventually became involved as well. Utilizing contacts established during incarceration, Hill distributed wholesale quantities of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and quaaludes, generating considerable revenue. However, one of his young couriers disclosed Hill’s Lucchese ties to narcotics agents Daniel Mann and William Broder, triggering extensive surveillance efforts.

Although thousands of wiretaps were conducted, Hill and his associates employed coded language during their conversations. An example of this encrypted communication is evident from a wiretap dated March 29:

Lufthansa heist

On December 11, 1978, nearly $5.875 million—comprising $5 million in cash and $875,000 worth of jewelry—was taken from the Lufthansa cargo terminal at Kennedy Airport, representing the largest cash theft on U.S. soil at that time. The plot originated when bookmaker Martin Krugman informed Hill that Lufthansa moved currency through the terminal; Burke then devised the robbery plan. Hill was not directly involved in executing the heist.

Basketball fixing

Hill, alongside two gamblers from Pittsburgh, orchestrated the 1978–79 Boston College basketball point-shaving scandal by enlisting Boston College center Rick Kuhn, a high school acquaintance of one gambler, who subsequently persuaded other teammates to participate in the scheme.

Hill also asserted that he had an NBA referee on his payroll who officiated games at Madison Square Garden during the 1970s. This referee had accrued gambling debts related to horse racing.

1980 arrest

In 1980, narcotics trafficking charges led to Hill’s arrest. Fearing assassination by former associates—Vario due to drug dealings and Burke to prevent exposure of the Lufthansa heist—Hill discovered through wiretaps and surveillance recordings that Burke planned to have him eliminated.

Following his release on bail, Burke attempted to arrange a meeting at an unfamiliar bar but instead met Hill at his sweatshop with Karen to discuss plans involving a Florida-based hit. Hill suspected this was a trap.

Edward A. McDonald, head of the Brooklyn Organized Crime Strike Force, detained Hill as a key witness in the Lufthansa robbery investigation. Confronted with a potential long prison term, Hill agreed to cooperate as an informant and formally joined the Strike Force on May 27, 1980.

Informant and the witness protection program

To avoid prosecution and threats from his criminal network, Hill testified against former associates, resulting in fifty convictions. In 1980, Hill, along with his wife Karen and their children Gregg and Gina, entered the U.S. Marshals' Witness Protection Program, adopting new identities and relocating multiple times.

Jimmy Burke received a twelve-year sentence for his role in the Boston College point-shaving scandal and was later given life imprisonment for murdering con artist Richard Eaton. He passed away from cancer on April 13, 1996, aged 64, while incarcerated.

Paul Vario was sentenced to four years for aiding Hill in obtaining a no-show position to secure parole and later received ten years for extorting air freight companies at JFK Airport. He died from respiratory failure on November 22, 1988, at age 73 while serving time at FCI Federal Prison in Fort Worth.

Hill's bigamy, subsequent arrests, and divorce

In autumn 1981, Hill (later known as Martin Lewis) married Sherry Anders in Virginia City, Nevada, despite still being legally married, which caused considerable personal turmoil. In 1987, he was convicted of cocaine trafficking in federal court in Seattle and was expelled from the witness protection program. His wife Karen filed for divorce in 1990 after twenty-three years of marriage; the divorce was finalized in 2002.

In August 2004, Hill was apprehended at North Platte Regional Airport in Nebraska after leaving luggage containing drug paraphernalia behind. On September 26, 2005, he was sentenced to 180 days for attempted methamphetamine possession.

On March 26, 2009, Hill received two years' probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor public intoxication. Later that year, on December 14, he was arrested in Fairview Heights, Illinois, for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest—charges he attributed to alcohol-related problems.

Later years

Following his initial divorce, Hill wed Kelly Alor and subsequently married Lisa Caserta. The couple resided in Topanga Canyon, close to Malibu, California. Both spouses appeared in various documentaries and media outlets, including The Howard Stern Show, where Hill was often seen under the influence. During this timeframe, he also became a father for the third time.

Goodfellas film

The 1990 crime drama Goodfellas, directed by Martin Scorsese and adapted from the 1985 book Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi, depicts Hill's ascent and decline from 1955 through 1980 within the Lucchese crime family. Actor Ray Liotta portrayed Hill. Originally named Wise Guy, the title was changed to Goodfellas to prevent confusion with the unrelated TV series Wiseguy. Hill received $480,000 payment two weeks prior to filming.

Robert De Niro, cast as Jimmy Conway (a character based on Burke), regularly sought Hill's advice on his character's mannerisms. Liotta prepared for his role by analyzing FBI recordings of Hill's speech and met him only a few weeks before the film’s premiere; Hill expressed positive views about the movie.

Other media appearances and activity

The 1990 movie My Blue Heaven drew inspiration from Hill's life, with its screenplay penned by Nora Ephron, wife of Pileggi. The 2001 television film The Big Heist focused on the Lufthansa heist and featured Nick Sandow as Hill.

In 2004, Hill was interviewed by Charlie Rose on 60 Minutes. To commemorate the film’s 20th anniversary in 2010, he hosted an exclusive screening at the Museum of the American Gangster. On June 8, 2011, a program about Hill aired on the National Geographic Channel's Locked Up Abroad.

Hill and Ray Liotta participated in a photo shoot for Entertainment Weekly in 2006. Shortly thereafter, Liotta encouraged Hill to seek alcohol rehabilitation, which he entered two days later.

During a 2008 interview with the BBC, Hill responded to critiques regarding profiting from his story through books and consulting on Goodfellas, asserting that he was "doing the right thing now."

Hill appeared in episode three of the 2008 crime documentary series The Irish Mob, where he recounted his criminal exploits and partnership with Jimmy Burke, emphasizing their involvement in the Lufthansa heist.

In August 2011, Hill took part in AMC's "Mob Week," discussing iconic films such as The Godfather and Goodfellas alongside other former mobsters.

The ESPN-produced documentary 30 for 30: Playing for the Mob (2014) explored how Hill and his associates orchestrated the Boston College basketball point-shaving scandal during 1978–79. Narrated by Liotta, it served as a complement to references made in the film.

Books

In October 2002, Hill released The Wiseguy Cookbook: My Favorite Recipes from My Life as a Goodfella to Cooking on the Run, blending memoirs from his youth, mob experiences, and time as a fugitive with recipes inspired by family traditions and mob life. For instance, he recounted his final meal before arrest as rolled veal cutlets, accompanied by sauce featuring pork butt, veal shanks, baked ziti, and green beans sautéed with olive oil and garlic.

Hill teamed up with author Daniel Simone in 2012 to write The Lufthansa Heist, a factual account of the 1978 Lufthansa robbery at Kennedy Airport, which was published in August 2015.

Additional significant works by Hill include:

• A Goodfella's Guide to New York: Your Personal Tour Through the Mob's Notorious Haunts, Hair-Raising Crime Scenes, and Infamous Hot Spots (2003)
• Gangsters and Goodfellas: Wiseguys, Witness Protection, and Life on the Run (2004)

Restaurants

Hill had a brief tenure as a chef at an Italian dining establishment located in North Platte, Nebraska, where he also promoted his spaghetti sauce, Sunday Gravy, through online channels. In October 2007, he launched Wiseguys restaurant in West Haven, Connecticut, but the venue was forced to close the following month after a fire incident.

Death

On June 12, 2012, just one day after celebrating his 69th birthday, Hill passed away in a Los Angeles hospital due to complications related to heart disease. His partner of six years, Lisa Caserta, revealed that he had been battling illness for an extended period and that his heart ultimately failed. She mentioned that Hill had recently experienced a heart attack and succumbed to health issues stemming from long-term heart conditions connected to smoking. Hill’s family was by his side when he died. He was cremated the very next day.