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* EvenEvilHasStandards: He seems very angry with Tony Pro's threat to Hoffa. He even admits that if it wasn't for the mob, he would have killed him.
* BigBad: The main antagonist of the whole movie. He's Jimmy Hoffa's main rival and the one who orchestrated the conflict with him.
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* TheSociopath: Even more than Frank. He's violent, sadistic, homicidal and ruthless even by the American Mafia's standards. Furthermore, like many self-centered sociopaths, he likes to cultivate [[VillainWithGoodPublicity a good publicity]] and [[FauxAffablyEvil a superficial charm]].
to:
* TheSociopath: Even more than Frank.And how. He's violent, sadistic, homicidal and ruthless even by the American Mafia's standards. Furthermore, like many self-centered sociopaths, he likes to cultivate [[VillainWithGoodPublicity a good publicity]] and [[FauxAffablyEvil a superficial charm]].
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Deleted line(s) 236 (click to see context) :
* NonIndicativeName: Was known as the "Gentle Don", only because he preferred solving problems with business as opposed to violence. As the movie shows, this doesn't mean he's just as ruthless as the other mob bosses.
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* NonIndicativeName: Was known as the "Gentle Don", only because he preferred solving problems with business as opposed to violence. As the movie shows, this doesn't mean he's just as ruthless as the other mob bosses.
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Changed line(s) 212 (click to see context) from:
* TheSociopath: Even more than Frank. He's violent, sadistic, homicidal and ruthless, even by the American Mafia's standards. Furthermore, like many self-centered sociopaths, he likes to cultivate [[VillainWithGoodPublicity a good publicity]] and [[FauxAffablyEvil a superficial charm]].
to:
* TheSociopath: Even more than Frank. He's violent, sadistic, homicidal and ruthless, ruthless even by the American Mafia's standards. Furthermore, like many self-centered sociopaths, he likes to cultivate [[VillainWithGoodPublicity a good publicity]] and [[FauxAffablyEvil a superficial charm]].
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* KarmaHoudini: [[ZigzaggedTrope Zig-zagged]]: After Hoffa's death, Tony Pro was sentenced in the late 70s to life in prison on an unrelated murder charge, where he died in 1988. So, while he was ultimately imprisoned, he was never specifically punished for his role in Hoffa's death.
to:
* KarmaHoudini: [[ZigzaggedTrope Zig-zagged]]: KarmaHoudiniWarranty: After Hoffa's death, Tony Pro was sentenced in the late 70s to life in prison on an unrelated murder charge, where he died in 1988. So, while he was ultimately imprisoned, he was never specifically punished for his role in Hoffa's death.death... but he died anyway.
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* AlasPoorVillain: Near the end of the movie, Russell is nothing but a pitiful shadow of what he once was: he has aged in jail, has deteriorated considerably to the point of not having teeth, and has been reduced to TheAtoner.
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* {{Expy}}: He has a lot in common with [[Film/TheGodfather Vito Corleone]]. Like The Godfather, Russell is a [[AffablyEvil ruthless, yet polite, friendly]] mob boss who's very loyal to the protagonist.
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Changed line(s) 210 (click to see context) from:
* TheSociopath: Even more than Frank. He's violent, sadistic, homicidal and ruthless, even by [[TheMafia the American Mafia's standards]]. And like many sociopaths, he likes to cultivate [[VillainWithGoodPublicity a good publicity]] and [[FauxAffablyEvil a superficial charm]].
to:
* TheSociopath: Even more than Frank. He's violent, sadistic, homicidal and ruthless, even by [[TheMafia the American Mafia's standards]]. And standards. Furthermore, like many self-centered sociopaths, he likes to cultivate [[VillainWithGoodPublicity a good publicity]] and [[FauxAffablyEvil a superficial charm]].
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* DeconstructedCharacterArchetype: Of characters as [[Film/GoodFellas Henry Hill]] and [[Film/{{Casino}} Sam Rothstein]], showing just [[AlasPoorVillain how miserable and pitiful]] a man like them could become if they reached old age and lived in our times.
to:
* DeconstructedCharacterArchetype: Of characters such as [[Film/GoodFellas Henry Hill]] and [[Film/{{Casino}} Sam Rothstein]], showing just [[AlasPoorVillain how miserable and pitiful]] a man like them could become if they reached old age and lived in our times.
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* TheNapoleon: He's short and aggressive.
to:
* TheNapoleon: He's short and aggressive.violent.
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* TheSociopath: Even more than Frank. He's violent, sadistic, homicidal and ruthless, even by [[TheMafia the American Mafia's standards]]. And like many sociopaths, he likes to cultivate [[VillainWithGoodPublicity a good publicity]] and [[FauxAffablyEvil a superficial charm]].
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Changed line(s) 33 (click to see context) from:
* DeconstructedCharacterArchetype: Of the kinds of protagonists from previous Scorsese movies such as [[Film/GoodFellas Henry Hill]] and [[Film/{{Casino}} Sam Rothstein]], showing just [[AlasPoorVillain how miserable and pitiful]] a man like them could become if they reached old age and lived in our times.
to:
* DeconstructedCharacterArchetype: Of the kinds of protagonists from previous Scorsese movies such characters as [[Film/GoodFellas Henry Hill]] and [[Film/{{Casino}} Sam Rothstein]], showing just [[AlasPoorVillain how miserable and pitiful]] a man like them could become if they reached old age and lived in our times.
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* {{Expy}}: Imagine a [[UpToEleven crueler, eviler, more twisted]], '''more''' AxCrazy version of [[Film/GoodFellas Tommy [=DeVito=]]] and you have Tony Pro. The cast even joked about this, mentioning that Tony Pro is the kind of character one would expect to be played by Creator/JoePesci.
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Changed line(s) 33 (click to see context) from:
* DeconstructedCharacterArchetype: Ff the kinds of protagonists from previous Scorsese movies such as [[Film/GoodFellas Henry Hill]] and [[Film/{{Casino}} Sam Rothstein]], showing just [[AlasPoorVillain how miserable and pitiful]] a man like them could become if they reached old age and lived in our times.
to:
* DeconstructedCharacterArchetype: Ff Of the kinds of protagonists from previous Scorsese movies such as [[Film/GoodFellas Henry Hill]] and [[Film/{{Casino}} Sam Rothstein]], showing just [[AlasPoorVillain how miserable and pitiful]] a man like them could become if they reached old age and lived in our times.
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* DeconstructedCharacterArchetype: Ff the kinds of protagonists from previous Scorsese movies such as [[Film/GoodFellas Henry Hill]] and [[Film/{{Casino}} Sam Rothstein]], showing just [[AlasPoorVillain how miserable and pitiful]] a man like them could become if they reached old age and lived in our times.
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Changed line(s) 204 (click to see context) from:
* KarmaHoudini: No mention is made in the film of what happened to him after he helped orchestrate Hoffa's death. Apparently, the real Tony Pro was sentenced in the 70s to life in prison on an unrelated murder charge, where he died in 1988. So, while he was ultimately imprisoned he was never specifically punished for his role in Hoffa's death.
to:
* KarmaHoudini: No mention is made in the film of what happened to him after he helped orchestrate [[ZigzaggedTrope Zig-zagged]]: After Hoffa's death. Apparently, the real death, Tony Pro was sentenced in the late 70s to life in prison on an unrelated murder charge, where he died in 1988. So, while he was ultimately imprisoned imprisoned, he was never specifically punished for his role in Hoffa's death.
Deleted line(s) 310 (click to see context) :
* EverybodysDeadDave: While two FBI agents try questioning him in his retirement home, Frank demands to have Bill come over. They reveal to him that he's since passed away from stomach cancer, and then list off several other associates who are dead to make it clear that Frank is no longer protecting anybody, hoping he'll admit his crimes.
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"a few decades" slightly exaggerates the age difference
* HeelFaithTurn: He rediscovers his Catholic faith while in prison.
Changed line(s) 135 (click to see context) from:
* IntergenerationalFriendship: With Frank, who's a few decades younger than Russell.
to:
* IntergenerationalFriendship: With Frank, who's a few decades seventeen years younger than Russell.
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Changed line(s) 310,311 (click to see context) from:
* {{Nepotism}}: He's gotten pretty far ahead as a mob lawyer, likely due to him being Russell's cousin.[[note]]As revealed in the memoir, they actually aren't related, but Russell still allowed him to use his last name as though they were related, for some reason.[[/note]]
to:
* {{Nepotism}}: He's gotten pretty far ahead as a mob lawyer, likely due to him being Russell's cousin.[[note]]As revealed in the memoir, they actually aren't related, but Russell still allowed him to use his last name as though they were related, in order for some reason.Bill to gain respect among the mob.[[/note]]
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Changed line(s) 99 (click to see context) from:
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Despite working closely with the Mafia, Hoffa is shown to be prejudiced against Italians; among other remarks, he calls Tony Pro a "motherfucking wop cocksucker."
to:
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Despite working closely with the Mafia, Hoffa is shown to be prejudiced against Italians; among other remarks, he calls Tony Pro a "motherfucking wop cocksucker."" To be fair, it seems to be not genuine prejudice, but as a way to piss off Tony Pro. Also, his "you people" comment is more likely referring to mobsters rather than Italians in general.
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Changed line(s) 300,301 (click to see context) from:
!!"Bill Bufalino
to:
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Changed line(s) 139 (click to see context) from:
* TheMentor: He indoctrinates Frank into the mob and guides him in the organization's ways.
to:
* TheMentor: He indoctrinates Frank into the mob and guides him Frank throughout his life in the organization's ways.mob.
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[[/folder]]
[[folder:Skinny Razor]]
!!"Skinny Razor"
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/skinny_razor.jpg]]
!!!Portrayed by: Bobby Cannavale
A high-ranking capo in the Philadelphia mob. He employs Frank in a meat-trucking operation, his first task for the Mafia.
----
* DeadpanSnarker: Especially towards one guy trying to get out of paying a debt.
* TheDragon: To Angelo Bruno, the boss of his family.
* ManOfWealthAndTaste: He loves his steak.
* TheMentor: He inducts Frank into the Mob and shows him the ropes.
* MouthOfSauron: He conducts business in Angelo's stead.
* OnlyKnownByTheirNickname: He's only ever referred to as "Skinny Razor," including in the credits. His real name is Felix [=DiTullio=].[[note]]No, not ''that'' [=DiTullio=]. *Gunshot*[[/note]]
* WhateverHappenedToTheMouse: No mention is made of what happened to him.[[note]]He apparently died of natural causes at the age of sixty.[[/note]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Joe Gallo]]
!!"Crazy Joe" Gallo
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/joe_gallo.jpg]]
!!!Portrayed by: Sebastian Maniscalco
Famed loose-cannon mobster from the Colombo crime family. Frank assassinates him at Umberto's in one of the most high-profile assassinations in mafia history.
----
* AxCrazy: Gallo had schizophrenia, and was known as a ruthless and violent criminal.
* BullyingADragon: Is flippant with Russell Bufalino and mocks him for supporting the Italian-American Anti-Defamation League. It's implied that this was the final straw behind his death.
* EqualOpportunityEvil: Unlike most mobsters, he has no problem working with Hispanics and African-Americans, much to the chagrin of the rest of the mob.
* TheStarscream: He tried to usurp power by having Joe Colombo, his boss, assassinated. He survived, but was left in a coma and effectively removed from power.
* TheresNoKillLikeOverkill: Frank kills by unloading two guns on him.
* WickedCultured: While in prison, he read a lot and becoming well-versed regarding Kafka and Tolstoy.
* VillainWithGoodPublicity: Is friends with a lot of celebrities, like Don Rickles, and leads a comfortable public lifestyle.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Tony Salerno]]
!!"Fat Tony" Salerno
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tony_salerno.jpg]]
!!!Portrayed by: Domenick Lombardozzi
The Underboss of the Genovese crime family. He disapproves of Hoffa's conduct after prison, and is ultimately the one who ordered the hit.
----
* CigarChomper: Almost never seen without one.
* GreaterScopeVillain: While he doesn't appear until more than midway through the movie, he holds a lot of power and ends up ordering Jimmy Hoffa's assassination.
* LargeAndInCharge: He's not the don of the family, but is the highest-ranking member of the Genovese family whom Frank and Russell are shown interacting with. And yes, he is fat.
* MouthOfSauron: He apparently speaks for all of the "higher ups," including his own boss, Philip Lombardo.
* UndignifiedDeath: He developed prostate cancer and Type 2 Diabetes in prison, giving him urinary problems before his death.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Bill Bufalino]]
!!"Bill Bufalino
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bill_bufalino.png]]
!!!Portrayed by: Creator/RayRomano
A mob attorney who defends both Frank and Jimmy.
----
* AmoralAttorney: Is an attorney for the mob. He tells Frank he doesn't care if he's actually guilty of skimming a trucking operation, so long as he can defend him. He actually nudges Frank to admit it to him in private.
* EverybodysDeadDave: While two FBI agents try questioning him in his retirement home, Frank demands to have Bill come over. They reveal to him that he's since passed away from stomach cancer, and then list off several other associates who are dead to make it clear that Frank is no longer protecting anybody, hoping he'll admit his crimes.
* {{Nepotism}}: He's gotten pretty far ahead as a mob lawyer, likely due to him being Russell's cousin.[[note]]As revealed in the memoir, they actually aren't related, but Russell still allowed him to use his last name as though they were related, for some reason.[[/note]]
[[folder:Skinny Razor]]
!!"Skinny Razor"
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/skinny_razor.jpg]]
!!!Portrayed by: Bobby Cannavale
A high-ranking capo in the Philadelphia mob. He employs Frank in a meat-trucking operation, his first task for the Mafia.
----
* DeadpanSnarker: Especially towards one guy trying to get out of paying a debt.
* TheDragon: To Angelo Bruno, the boss of his family.
* ManOfWealthAndTaste: He loves his steak.
* TheMentor: He inducts Frank into the Mob and shows him the ropes.
* MouthOfSauron: He conducts business in Angelo's stead.
* OnlyKnownByTheirNickname: He's only ever referred to as "Skinny Razor," including in the credits. His real name is Felix [=DiTullio=].[[note]]No, not ''that'' [=DiTullio=]. *Gunshot*[[/note]]
* WhateverHappenedToTheMouse: No mention is made of what happened to him.[[note]]He apparently died of natural causes at the age of sixty.[[/note]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Joe Gallo]]
!!"Crazy Joe" Gallo
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/joe_gallo.jpg]]
!!!Portrayed by: Sebastian Maniscalco
Famed loose-cannon mobster from the Colombo crime family. Frank assassinates him at Umberto's in one of the most high-profile assassinations in mafia history.
----
* AxCrazy: Gallo had schizophrenia, and was known as a ruthless and violent criminal.
* BullyingADragon: Is flippant with Russell Bufalino and mocks him for supporting the Italian-American Anti-Defamation League. It's implied that this was the final straw behind his death.
* EqualOpportunityEvil: Unlike most mobsters, he has no problem working with Hispanics and African-Americans, much to the chagrin of the rest of the mob.
* TheStarscream: He tried to usurp power by having Joe Colombo, his boss, assassinated. He survived, but was left in a coma and effectively removed from power.
* TheresNoKillLikeOverkill: Frank kills by unloading two guns on him.
* WickedCultured: While in prison, he read a lot and becoming well-versed regarding Kafka and Tolstoy.
* VillainWithGoodPublicity: Is friends with a lot of celebrities, like Don Rickles, and leads a comfortable public lifestyle.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Tony Salerno]]
!!"Fat Tony" Salerno
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tony_salerno.jpg]]
!!!Portrayed by: Domenick Lombardozzi
The Underboss of the Genovese crime family. He disapproves of Hoffa's conduct after prison, and is ultimately the one who ordered the hit.
----
* CigarChomper: Almost never seen without one.
* GreaterScopeVillain: While he doesn't appear until more than midway through the movie, he holds a lot of power and ends up ordering Jimmy Hoffa's assassination.
* LargeAndInCharge: He's not the don of the family, but is the highest-ranking member of the Genovese family whom Frank and Russell are shown interacting with. And yes, he is fat.
* MouthOfSauron: He apparently speaks for all of the "higher ups," including his own boss, Philip Lombardo.
* UndignifiedDeath: He developed prostate cancer and Type 2 Diabetes in prison, giving him urinary problems before his death.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Bill Bufalino]]
!!"Bill Bufalino
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bill_bufalino.png]]
!!!Portrayed by: Creator/RayRomano
A mob attorney who defends both Frank and Jimmy.
----
* AmoralAttorney: Is an attorney for the mob. He tells Frank he doesn't care if he's actually guilty of skimming a trucking operation, so long as he can defend him. He actually nudges Frank to admit it to him in private.
* EverybodysDeadDave: While two FBI agents try questioning him in his retirement home, Frank demands to have Bill come over. They reveal to him that he's since passed away from stomach cancer, and then list off several other associates who are dead to make it clear that Frank is no longer protecting anybody, hoping he'll admit his crimes.
* {{Nepotism}}: He's gotten pretty far ahead as a mob lawyer, likely due to him being Russell's cousin.[[note]]As revealed in the memoir, they actually aren't related, but Russell still allowed him to use his last name as though they were related, for some reason.[[/note]]
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Changed line(s) 225,226 (click to see context) from:
* BrutalHonesty: He makes it very clear to Frank that he had no problem letting the Jewish mob kill him for blowing up their laundromat, if Russell hadn't intervened.
* DeadlyEuphemism: Assures Frank that he won't have to pay Whispers DiTullio back, since he "won't need it."
* DeadlyEuphemism: Assures Frank that he won't have to pay Whispers DiTullio back, since he "won't need it."
to:
* BrutalHonesty: He makes it very clear to Frank that he had no problem letting the Jewish mob kill him for blowing up their laundromat, if laundromat before Russell hadn't intervened.
* DeadlyEuphemism: Assures Frank that he won't have to pay WhispersDiTullio [=DiTullio=] back, since he "won't need it."
* DeadlyEuphemism: Assures Frank that he won't have to pay Whispers
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The don of the Bufalino Crime Family; he takes Frank under his wing and brings him into the mob.
to:
The don of the Bufalino Crime Family; crime family; he takes Frank under his wing and brings him into the mob.
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* TheDon: Of the Scranton Mafia.
to:
* TheDon: Of the Scranton Mafia.mob.
* ParentalIssues: Her father's all but explicit occupation as a thug and hitman bother her very much. When she figures out that he killed Hoffa, she cuts him off completely.
* KarmaHoudini: No mention is made in the film of what happened to him after he helped orchestrate Hoffa's death. Apparently, the real Tony Pro was sentenced in the 70s to life in prison on an unrelated murder charge, where he died in 1988. So, while he was ultimately imprisoned he was never specifically punished for his role in Hoffa's death.
Changed line(s) 210 (click to see context) from:
----
to:
[[folder:Angelo Bruno]]
!!Angelo Bruno
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the_irishman_harvey_keitel.jpg]]
--> ''"You don't know how good a friend you got."''
!!!Portrayed by: Creator/HarveyKeitel
The don of the Bruno-Scarfo crime family, based in Philadelphia. As a Philly resident, Frank works for his family.
----
* BrutalHonesty: He makes it very clear to Frank that he had no problem letting the Jewish mob kill him for blowing up their laundromat, if Russell hadn't intervened.
* DeadlyEuphemism: Assures Frank that he won't have to pay Whispers DiTullio back, since he "won't need it."
* TheDon: Of the Philadelphia mob. He stands out as one of the more prototypical examples of this trope in the film.
* KilledOffscreen: When he's introduced, a caption reveals that he was shot to death on March 21, 1980. This is never shown.
* ManOfWealthAndTaste: His sense of style helps with him image.
* OneSceneWonder: He has only one scene of any significance, but it's one of the more important scenes in the story.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Known as "the Gentle Don," Bruno was known for his fairness and cool head. He's willing to spare Frank after Russell vouches for him, where most other dons would have thrown him to the wolves.
* WhosOnFirst: On the topic of the laundromat:
--> '''Bruno''': ''Somebody else got an interest in that. You know who?''
--> '''Frank''': ''Who?''
--> '''Bruno''': ''I do.''
--> '''Frank''': ''Who?''
--> '''Bruno''': ''No, I do. I own the other part, not "I know somebody who owns the other part."''
[[/folder]]
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Changed line(s) 95 (click to see context) from:
* TheNapoleon: Short than most characters, he remains a tremendous force of personality.
to:
* TheNapoleon: Short Shorter than most characters, he remains a tremendous force of personality.
Changed line(s) 101 (click to see context) from:
* ScrewTheMoneyIHaveRules: He makes it clear that he has no interest in being paid off to run the union behind the scenes, but with simply getting back what's his by right.
to:
* ScrewTheMoneyIHaveRules: He makes it clear that he has no interest in being paid off to run the union Union behind the scenes, but with simply getting back what's his by right.
Changed line(s) 152 (click to see context) from:
* WhamLine: "If they can wack a President, they can wack a President of the union."
to:
* WhamLine: "If they can wack a President, they can wack a President president of the union.Union."
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!Supporting Characters
[[folder:Peggy Sheeran]]
!!Peggy Sheeran
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/peggy_sheeran.png]]
--> ''"Why haven't you called Jo?"''
!!!Portrayed by: Creator/AnnaPaquin
Frank's daughter. She is wary of her father and his friends, but idolizes Hoffa.
----
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: Her page quote. For context, it occurs just after the family hears of Hoffa's disappearance, which Frank had a direct role in. It turns out to be the last thing she ever says to her father.
* DetectEvil: Is standoffish around her father and Russell, both of whom are cold-blooded killers. Her strong friendship with Hoffa serves as a striking contrast.
* HeroWorshipper: She greatly admires Hoffa not just for being her friend, but also because she genuinely believes in what he's accomplished as a union president. [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed]] due to the fact [[InappropriateRoleModel he's also a crook and in bed with the mob]].
* IntergenerationalFriendship: A platonic one with the much-older Jimmy Hoffa.
* MeaningfulLook: While asking him why he hasn't called Jo, she gives a horrified look to her father once she realizes that he had something to do with Hoffa's disappearance.
* MoralityPet: For Frank. Ultimately [[SubvertedTrope subverted]], since she estranges herself from him even though he never mistreated her, simply because she can't stand to associate with a man like him any longer.
* PlatonicLifePartners: Befriends Hoffa as a child, and remains friends with him as an adult.
* TheQuietOne: She doesn't speak much around people, except when it comes to Hoffa.
* SilentTreatment: Gives her own father this for the last three decades of his life.
* SmallRoleBigImpact: She has very few lines and doesn't do much in the film, but she plays a pivotal role in the emotional weight of the third act.
* StunnedSilence: Witnessing her father beating the grocery store owner for shoving her played a big role into why she fears her father.
* WiseBeyondTheirYears: As a child, she's surprisingly smart and very perceptive of other people
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Tony Provenzano]]
!!"Tony Pro" Provenzano
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tony_pro.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"Don't forget, it was 'you people' that got you where you are."'']]
--> ''"What do you mean 'you people'?"''
!!!Portrayed by: Stephen Graham
A New Jersey capo in the Genovese family and the president for Teamsters Local 560. He and Hoffa form a fierce rivalry during the second act of the film, after Hoffa refuses to help get him his Pension Fund back after going to jail, and insulting him.
----
* AxCrazy: Part of Hoffa's problem with him is his tendency for violence despite being a member of the Union. He once had a Teamsters brother killed simply for running against him as Local 560 President.
* BerserkButton: Don't say "you people" when addressing him, as Hoffa found out the hard way.
* DisproportionateRetribution: He was wrong to call him a wop, but threatening Hoffa's granddaughter over that is worse.
* EvilIsPetty: He really takes being called "you people" very personally. It's the main thing for him driving his feud with Hoffa.
* FauxAffablyEvil: Even though he's really cheery and sociable around people he likes, it doesn't take a whole lot for him to drop the facade.
* JerkassHasAPoint: He is right that Hoffa got to where he is because of the Mob's help, and he is entitled to his Pension Fund share (not legally, but Hoffa is still a criminal too). Nevertheless, his reaction was out of line.
* TheNapoleon: He's short and aggressive.
* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: Assaults Hoffa during their prison meeting after the "you people" crack.
* TheRival: To Hoffa.
* TranquilFury: He's visibly fuming as Hoffa dresses him down during their Miami meeting, keeping his cool until Hoffa calls him a wop.
* VillainWithGoodPublicity: He's a psychotic killer, yet he's very popular with his Local.
* WickedCultured: He's actually a pretty good public speaker, as demonstrated when he is introduced.
* WouldHurtAChild: After getting called a wop, he threatens to rip Hoffa's granddaughter's guts out and mail them to him.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Peggy Sheeran]]
!!Peggy Sheeran
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/peggy_sheeran.png]]
--> ''"Why haven't you called Jo?"''
!!!Portrayed by: Creator/AnnaPaquin
Frank's daughter. She is wary of her father and his friends, but idolizes Hoffa.
----
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: Her page quote. For context, it occurs just after the family hears of Hoffa's disappearance, which Frank had a direct role in. It turns out to be the last thing she ever says to her father.
* DetectEvil: Is standoffish around her father and Russell, both of whom are cold-blooded killers. Her strong friendship with Hoffa serves as a striking contrast.
* HeroWorshipper: She greatly admires Hoffa not just for being her friend, but also because she genuinely believes in what he's accomplished as a union president. [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed]] due to the fact [[InappropriateRoleModel he's also a crook and in bed with the mob]].
* IntergenerationalFriendship: A platonic one with the much-older Jimmy Hoffa.
* MeaningfulLook: While asking him why he hasn't called Jo, she gives a horrified look to her father once she realizes that he had something to do with Hoffa's disappearance.
* MoralityPet: For Frank. Ultimately [[SubvertedTrope subverted]], since she estranges herself from him even though he never mistreated her, simply because she can't stand to associate with a man like him any longer.
* PlatonicLifePartners: Befriends Hoffa as a child, and remains friends with him as an adult.
* TheQuietOne: She doesn't speak much around people, except when it comes to Hoffa.
* SilentTreatment: Gives her own father this for the last three decades of his life.
* SmallRoleBigImpact: She has very few lines and doesn't do much in the film, but she plays a pivotal role in the emotional weight of the third act.
* StunnedSilence: Witnessing her father beating the grocery store owner for shoving her played a big role into why she fears her father.
* WiseBeyondTheirYears: As a child, she's surprisingly smart and very perceptive of other people
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Tony Provenzano]]
!!"Tony Pro" Provenzano
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tony_pro.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"Don't forget, it was 'you people' that got you where you are."'']]
--> ''"What do you mean 'you people'?"''
!!!Portrayed by: Stephen Graham
A New Jersey capo in the Genovese family and the president for Teamsters Local 560. He and Hoffa form a fierce rivalry during the second act of the film, after Hoffa refuses to help get him his Pension Fund back after going to jail, and insulting him.
----
* AxCrazy: Part of Hoffa's problem with him is his tendency for violence despite being a member of the Union. He once had a Teamsters brother killed simply for running against him as Local 560 President.
* BerserkButton: Don't say "you people" when addressing him, as Hoffa found out the hard way.
* DisproportionateRetribution: He was wrong to call him a wop, but threatening Hoffa's granddaughter over that is worse.
* EvilIsPetty: He really takes being called "you people" very personally. It's the main thing for him driving his feud with Hoffa.
* FauxAffablyEvil: Even though he's really cheery and sociable around people he likes, it doesn't take a whole lot for him to drop the facade.
* JerkassHasAPoint: He is right that Hoffa got to where he is because of the Mob's help, and he is entitled to his Pension Fund share (not legally, but Hoffa is still a criminal too). Nevertheless, his reaction was out of line.
* TheNapoleon: He's short and aggressive.
* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: Assaults Hoffa during their prison meeting after the "you people" crack.
* TheRival: To Hoffa.
* TranquilFury: He's visibly fuming as Hoffa dresses him down during their Miami meeting, keeping his cool until Hoffa calls him a wop.
* VillainWithGoodPublicity: He's a psychotic killer, yet he's very popular with his Local.
* WickedCultured: He's actually a pretty good public speaker, as demonstrated when he is introduced.
* WouldHurtAChild: After getting called a wop, he threatens to rip Hoffa's granddaughter's guts out and mail them to him.
[[/folder]]
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* KickTheDog : While it's understandable that he'd be angry at the grocer who shoved his daughter, practically pulverizing his hand with his foot was pure sadism on Frank's part.
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* NeverFoundTheBody: Famously so. According to Frank, his corpse was simply incinerated.
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* NeverFoundTheBody: Famously so. According to Frank, his corpse was simply incinerated.incinerated in a nearby Crematorium.
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* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Refers to Tony Pro as a "motherfucking wop cocksucker."
to:
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Refers Despite working closely with the Mafia, Hoffa is shown to be prejudiced against Italians; among other remarks, he calls Tony Pro as a "motherfucking wop cocksucker."
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I double-checked and found that they weren't speaking Sicilian in fact, but were actually speaking Italian
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Frank deeply admires Hoffa and is visibly excited to make his acquaintance, [[AscendedFanboy eventually becoming one of his closest friends]]. Unfortunately, their relationship is exactly why Frank is chosen to whack him.
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* CommonalityConnection: He bonds with Russell, an Italian-American, over their fluency in Sicilian and the fact that Russell was born in Catania, where Frank served.[[note]]In RealLife, it was in Montedoro that Russell was born and where Frank served and learned Sicilian, not Catania.[[/note]]
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* CommonalityConnection: He bonds with Russell, an Italian-American, over their fluency in Sicilian Italian and the fact that Russell was born in Catania, where Frank served.[[note]]In RealLife, it was in Montedoro that Russell was born and where Frank served and learned Sicilian, Italian, not Catania.[[/note]]
* MouthOfSauron: He's often speaking for Russell or relaying messages for him.
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* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: Throws a shopkeeper out on the street and proceeds to crush his hand with his foot.
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* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: Throws For shoving his daughter, he throws a shopkeeper out on the street and proceeds to crush his hand with his foot.
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* CommonalityConnection: He bonds with Frank, an Irish-American, over their fluency in Sicilian and the fact that Frank served in Catania, Russell's birthplace.[[note]]In RealLife, it was in Montedoro that Russell was born and where Frank served and learned Sicilian, not Catania.[[/note]]
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* CommonalityConnection: He bonds with Frank, an Irish-American, over their fluency in Sicilian Italian and the fact that Frank served in Catania, Russell's birthplace.[[note]]In RealLife, it was in Montedoro that Russell was born and where Frank served and learned Sicilian, Italian, not Catania.[[/note]]
* DeliberateValuesDissonance: He doesn't smoke or allow anyone else to with him in a car, which is treated as highly unusual, given the time period.[[note]]He used to be a heavy smoker until the mob was driven out of Cuba. On the boat back to America, a mafioso named Jimmy Blue Eyes bet him to never smoke again. He kept to the bet.[[/note]]
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* PragmaticVillainy: A very shrewd and calculating mafioso who won't allow someone to be killed unless he absolutely has to.
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* PragmaticVillainy: A very shrewd and calculating mafioso who won't allow someone to be killed sanction a hit unless he absolutely has to.
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* FaceDeathWithDignity: Knowing that his days are numbered, and despite having no one to do it for him, he sets up his own funeral arrangements, like buying a coffin.
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* DyingAlone: By the end of his life, most of Frank's mob friends have died of old age, disease or violence, his wife passes away, and his daughters want nothing to do with him. He's so alone that he has to arrange his own ''impending funeral''.
* FaceDeathWithDignity: Knowing that his days are numbered, and despite having no one to do it for him, he sets up his own funeral arrangements, like buying acoffin.coffin, and calmly awaits his death.
* FaceDeathWithDignity: Knowing that his days are numbered, and despite having no one to do it for him, he sets up his own funeral arrangements, like buying a
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* YourCheatingHeart: Leaves his wife for another woman not long after he affiliates himself with the mob.
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* AlasPoorVillain: The last half-hour of the film treats his fate with solemnity and sympathy.
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* BerserkButton: Beats the shit out of a shopkeeper for pushing his daughter.
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* FaceDeathWithDignity: Knowing that his days are numbered, and despite having no one to do it for him, he sets up his own funeral arrangements, like buying a coffin.
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* IronicEcho: Living alone at the retirement community, he has by now borrowed Jimmy's habit of leaving the door slightly open at night.
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* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: Throws a shopkeeper out on the street and proceeds to crush his hand with his foot.
* OldSoldier: He's still carrying out hits in the late 70s despite pushing sixty.
* OldSoldier: He's still carrying out hits in the late 70s despite pushing sixty.
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* CharacterTic: Always goes to bed with the door slightly ajar.
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* DealWithTheDevil: Hoffa got where he is in large part due to his dealings with the mob, which backfires on him later in life.
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* TheNapoleon: Short than most characters, he remains a tremendous force of personality.
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* ParentalSubstitute: To Chuckie O'Brien, whom he raised.
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* ScrewTheMoneyIHaveRules: He makes it clear that he has no interest in being paid off to run the union behind the scenes, but with simply getting back what's his by right.
* SharpDressedMan: "Florida, Timbuktu, I wear a suit. For a meeting." He expects the same out of anyone else.
* SharpDressedMan: "Florida, Timbuktu, I wear a suit. For a meeting." He expects the same out of anyone else.
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* TrademarkFavoriteFood: He loves ice cream.
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* AllForNothing: In spite of all his criminal dealings and all of the murders he's ordered, including those he called friends, he still ends up a feeble old man in prison full of regrets.
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* IronicEcho: Much like an earlier meeting with Frank, he struggles to eat bread with him while in prison. However, he's so old that his teeth are too weak to eat the bread without having to soak it in grape juice.
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'''Since this a character page, spoilers will be unmarked. Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned.'''
----
----
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* CommonalityConnection: He bonds with Russell, an Italian-American, over their fluency in Sicilian and the fact that Russell was born in Catania, where Frank served.
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* CommonalityConnection: He bonds with Russell, an Italian-American, over their fluency in Sicilian and the fact that Russell was born in Catania, where Frank served.[[note]]In RealLife, it was in Montedoro that Russell was born and where Frank served and learned Sicilian, not Catania.[[/note]]
* EtTuBrute: Was whacked by his close friend, Frank Sheeran.
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* CommonalityConnection: He bonds with Frank, an Irish-American, over their fluency in Sicilian and the fact that Frank served in Catania, Russell's birthplace.
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* CommonalityConnection: He bonds with Frank, an Irish-American, over their fluency in Sicilian and the fact that Frank served in Catania, Russell's birthplace.[[note]]In RealLife, it was in Montedoro that Russell was born and where Frank served and learned Sicilian, not Catania.[[/note]]
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!!Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran
Deleted line(s) 10,11 (click to see context) :
!!Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran
!!Jimmy Hoffa
Deleted line(s) 53,54 (click to see context) :
!!Jimmy Hoffa
!!Russell Bufalino
Deleted line(s) 94,95 (click to see context) :
!!Russell Bufalino
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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sheeran.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"Sooner or later, everybody put here has a date when he's going to go. That's just the way it is."'']]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"Sooner or later, everybody put here has a date when he's going to go. That's just the way it is."'']]
--> ''"When I was young, I thought house painters painted houses. What did I know? I was a working guy, a business agent for Teamster Local 107 out of South Philly. One of a thousand working stiffs, until I wasn’t no more. And then I started painting houses myself."''
* TheDriver: For Russell. One of his earlier jobs was also as a truck driver.
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* HairTriggerTemper: Downplayed in the film, but its still there. This trait is more evident in the memoir, demonstrated by him assaulting his boss at a meatpacking job and also by him attacking the referee during a boxing match with a kangaroo.
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* HairTriggerTemper: Downplayed [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]] in the film, but its it's still there. This trait is more evident in the memoir, demonstrated by him assaulting his boss at a meatpacking job and also by him attacking the referee during a boxing match with a kangaroo.
Changed line(s) 30 (click to see context) from:
* NaiveNewcomer: Subverted: He stumbles a little with the Mafia's social mores, and he gets easily fooled and scammed on a few occasions, almost getting himself killed in the process. However, he quickly learns from his mistakes and adapts to the mob life.
to:
* NaiveNewcomer: Subverted: [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]]; He stumbles a little with the Mafia's social mores, and he gets easily fooled and scammed on a few occasions, almost getting himself killed in the process. However, he quickly learns from his mistakes and adapts to the mob life.
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* PapaWolf: Deconstructed: when he assaults a shopkeeper for shoving his daughter, he winds up traumatizing her. This plays a role in her estrangement from him.
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* PapaWolf: Deconstructed: [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed]]; when he assaults a shopkeeper for shoving his daughter, he winds up traumatizing her. This plays a role in her estrangement from him.
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* TheSociopath: Subverted: As a hitman, he has little problem killing people, but killing Hoffa has him racked with guilt.
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* TheSociopath: Subverted: [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]]; As a hitman, he has little problem killing people, but killing Hoffa has him racked with guilt.
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* TheStoic: Lampshaded by Jimmy, who points out that it's impossible to tell what he's thinking by looking at him.
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* TheStoic: Lampshaded [[LampshadedTrope Lampshaded]] by Jimmy, who points out that it's impossible to tell what he's thinking by looking at him.
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hoffa.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"Well, glad to meet you too, even if it’s over the phone. I heard you paint houses."'']]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"Well, glad to meet you too, even if it’s over the phone. I heard you paint houses."'']]
--> ''"Big business and the government are trying to sow the seeds of dissent among our ranks, at a time when we need unity! We need solidarity!"''
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* HeterosexualLifePartners: He develops a very strong friendship with Frank Sheeran. Subverted by the fact that it isn't strong enough to stop Frank from killing him under orders from the mob, despite Jimmy assuming otherwise.
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* HeterosexualLifePartners: He develops a very strong friendship with Frank Sheeran. Subverted [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]] by the fact that it isn't strong enough to stop Frank from killing him under orders from the mob, despite Jimmy assuming otherwise.
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* SurroundedByIdiots: Invoked while berating his employees for bringing heat on him: "I am sitting in a room full of fucking idiots."
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* SurroundedByIdiots: Invoked [[InvokedTrope Invoked]] while berating his employees for bringing heat on him: "I him:
--> ''"I am sitting in a room full of fucking idiots.""''
--> ''"I am sitting in a room full of fucking idiots.
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bufalino.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"Either way, he’s going."'']]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"Either way, he’s going."'']]
--> ''"When I ask somebody to take care of something for me, I expect them to take care of it themselves. I don’t need two roads coming back to me."''
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* HenpeckedHusband: Downplayed; they have a fairly equal relationship, but while on a drive, his wife demands to smoke despite the fact that he quit smoking, leaving him no choice but to pull over and wait.
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* HenpeckedHusband: Downplayed; [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]]; they have a fairly equal relationship, but while on a drive, his wife demands to smoke despite the fact that he quit smoking, leaving him no choice but to pull over and wait.
* LikeASonToMe: He refers to Frank as his kid to him, even though they first met when Frank was already in his 30s.
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* OrSoIHeard: "Some people, not me, think you're demonstrating a failure to show appreciation."
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* OrSoIHeard: "Some "Listen, some people, not me, me... think you're you might be demonstrating a failure to show appreciation."
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* WhamLine: "If they can wack a President, they can wack anybody."
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* WhamLine: "If they can wack a President, they can wack anybody.a President of the union."
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[[foldercontrol]]
!Main Characters
[[folder:Frank Sheeran]]
!!Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran
!!!Portrayed By: Creator/RobertDeNiro
The titular protagonist, who works as a contract killer for the mob. He's also Jimmy Hoffa's assassin.
----
* AffablyEvil: Even though he kills people for a living, Frank is genial enough to get along with just about anybody.
* {{Angrish}}: While confronting a guy who tried lying his way out of paying a debt:
--> ''"You wanna get cute with me? All that bullshit about your mother and sick and all that dying."''
* TheAtoner: Murdering Hoffa haunts him for the rest of his life.
* BeenThereShapedHistory: At least three examples: transporting guns for the Bay of Pigs Invasion; assassinating Joe Gallo; assassinating Jimmy Hoffa.
* TheBigGuy: His towering height is mainly why he works as a hitman and an enforcer.
* BodyguardBetrayal: Hoffa mistakenly trusts Frank with his life.
* BoomHeadshot[=/=]DoubleTap: His modus operandi as an assassin.
* CommonalityConnection: He bonds with Russell, an Italian-American, over their fluency in Sicilian and the fact that Russell was born in Catania, where Frank served.
* ConsummateProfessional: He never lets personal matters affect his job, as tragically demonstrated when he kills Jimmy.
* FateWorseThanDeath: With all of his friends dead and his family estranged from him, Frank is left alone in a nursing home to ruminate over his guilt and impending death.
* GoingNative: During WWII, he becomes acquainted with Italian customs after serving in Italy, like becoming fluent in Sicilian and developing a predilection for red wine. It's this that ingratiates him with the Mafia, even though he has no Italian heritage.
* GunsAkimbo: How he dispatches of Joe Gallo.
* HairTriggerTemper: Downplayed in the film, but its still there. This trait is more evident in the memoir, demonstrated by him assaulting his boss at a meatpacking job and also by him attacking the referee during a boxing match with a kangaroo.
* IntergenerationalFriendship: With Russell Bufalino.
* TheIrishMob: He's not technically affiliated with the Irish Mob in any capacity, but being a Mafia associate with Irish heritage qualifies him for this trope.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Unlike most of his murders, Frank is visibly distraught after killing Hoffa.
* NaiveNewcomer: Subverted: He stumbles a little with the Mafia's social mores, and he gets easily fooled and scammed on a few occasions, almost getting himself killed in the process. However, he quickly learns from his mistakes and adapts to the mob life.
* TheNarrator: Of the film.
* OnlySaneMan: Frank takes it upon himself to mediate conflict or be a voice of reason during petty disputes.
* PapaWolf: Deconstructed: when he assaults a shopkeeper for shoving his daughter, he winds up traumatizing her. This plays a role in her estrangement from him.
* TheQuietOne: A man of few words who speaks in a low mumble. He's fairly laconic even as the narrator.
* TheSociopath: Subverted: As a hitman, he has little problem killing people, but killing Hoffa has him racked with guilt.
* StartOfDarkness: It was during WWII that Frank developed a coldness to taking lives; he would force [=POWs=] to build their own graves before killing them on the spot.
* TheStoic: Lampshaded by Jimmy, who points out that it's impossible to tell what he's thinking by looking at him.
* VerbalTic: Has a slight stutter.
* VillainProtagonist: He's a hitman for the mob and the film's protagonist.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Jimmy Hoffa]]
!!Jimmy Hoffa
!!!Portrayed by: Creator/AlPacino
The mob-affiliated President of the Teamsters. After being sent to prison, his relationship with the Mafia gradually deteriorates as he attempts to regain control over the Teamsters, butting heads with them in the process, all of which ultimately leads to his assassination.
----
* ALighterShadeOfBlack: While he is heavily corrupt and in cahoots with the mob (knowing full well what their methods are), he is still dedicated to his union brothers and to ensuring better treatment for the working class. Furthermore, his lighter character is affirmed by the bond he shares with Peggy, in contrast to her wariness around her own father and his gangster friends.
* BerserkButton: Being late to a meeting and insulting his ego are surefire ways to piss him off. Threatening his grand-daughter will catch you a beating.
* BodyguardBetrayal: His last words were, "C'mon Frank, let's get out of here," before Frank shoots him in the head.
* BoomHeadshot: His manner of death is two shots to the back of his head.
* BunnyEarsLawyer: He doesn't drink, loves ice cream, and always goes to bed with the door slightly open. He's also a highly effective leader of the Teamsters.
* TheCharmer: He is effortlessly endearing and skilled at winning people over (when he wants to be, at least).
* ConsummateProfessional: He has very high standards for professionalism. Subverted in that his contempt for people who don't meet them creates unnecessary conflict.
* ControlFreak: He goes to absolutely suicidal lengths to retake the Teamsters.
* CoolOldGuy: In spite of his reputation, his passionate and endearing nature earns him a lot of admirers, ranging all the way towards children.
* DeadlyEuphemism: "I heard you paint houses."
* EvilIsNotAToy: He's stunningly naive about what the mafia can do to him, and he pays dearly for it.
* FatalFlaw; {{Pride}}: The reason why he can't relinquish control of the Teamsters is simply because it's ''his'' union. Even though he's pissed off a lot of people trying to get it back, he absolutely will not back down, no matter how serious their threats become. In the end, the mob has no choice but to put him down.
* FriendToAllChildren: He bonds with Peggy, Frank's daughter, which continues into her adulthood as a platonic IntergenerationalFriendship. This is particularly striking given the distance between her and her own father.
* HappilyMarried: He and his wife are very close.
* HeterosexualLifePartners: He develops a very strong friendship with Frank Sheeran. Subverted by the fact that it isn't strong enough to stop Frank from killing him under orders from the mob, despite Jimmy assuming otherwise.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: His ControlFreak tendacies land him in prison when he commits witness tampering to acquit himself of a minor charge. His later conviction of actual fraud would compound his sentence.
* {{Jerkass}}: [[ZigZaggedTrope Zig-Zagged]]. Even though he isn't as nefarious as the mob and is fairly charismatic, Hoffa also has an unpleasently vindictive side to him. For example, he is incredibly condescending towards Tony Pro when he asks him for help, insulting him and refusing to get Pro his pension back. Furthermore, while his anger towards some of his incompetence is justified, he takes it out on otherwise innocent employees, inadvertently insulting Frank for instance (which he quickly apologizes for). Possibly the height of his dickish behavior was when he forced a flag to remain at full staff over one of his union headquarters in the wake of JFK's assassination, out of spite to the Kennedy's. In any case, Frank implies that the stress of Bobby Kennedy's relentless investigations and the ensuing trial proceedings caused him to [[TookALevelInJerkass take a level in jerkass]].
* NeverFoundTheBody: Famously so. According to Frank, his corpse was simply incinerated.
* NoIndoorVoice: Mostly when he's giving speeches of course, but he can be loud while off the podium as well.
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Refers to Tony Pro as a "motherfucking wop cocksucker."
* RetiredBadass: He's been heavily involved with Unions since his youth, and the frequent clashes he and his strikes had with the police are all representative of his toughness. By the events of the film, he's still capable of beating up guys much younger than he.
* SirSwearsALot: He has a particular fondness for "cocksucker."
* SurroundedByIdiots: Invoked while berating his employees for bringing heat on him: "I am sitting in a room full of fucking idiots."
* TheTeetotaler: He doesn't drink, and dislikes it when people around him drink.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Russell Bufalino]]
!!Russell Bufalino
!!!Portrayed by: Creator/JoePesci
The don of the Bufalino Crime Family; he takes Frank under his wing and brings him into the mob.
----
* AffablyEvil: Russell's polite, friendly, and will go out of his way to help strangers with things like car trouble. He's also had a lot of people killed.
* TheAtoner: He's evidently remorseful for his actions by the time he's in prison, regularly attending church just before he dies.
* BewareTheQuietOnes: He's a soft-spoken man who never raises his voice, but don't let that fool you: there's a quiet menace to him that one should never cross.
* CharacterTic: Is always asleep whenever Frank drives him.
* CommonalityConnection: He bonds with Frank, an Irish-American, over their fluency in Sicilian and the fact that Frank served in Catania, Russell's birthplace.
* DeadlyEuphemism: "Tell Jimmy, 'it is what it is.'"
* TheDon: Of the Scranton Mafia.
* DoubleSpeak: He's rarely direct in his instructions, yet they remain plain to see.
* HenpeckedHusband: Downplayed; they have a fairly equal relationship, but while on a drive, his wife demands to smoke despite the fact that he quit smoking, leaving him no choice but to pull over and wait.
* HeterosexualLifePartners: Solidified this with Frank after saving his life.
* IntergenerationalFriendship: With Frank, who's a few decades younger than Russell.
* LawOfInverseFertility: Unable to have children of his own, he tries to connect with Frank's daughter, with little success.
* TheMentor: He indoctrinates Frank into the mob and guides him in the organization's ways.
* MisterBig: Applies to both him and his crime family. Physically diminutive and running a pretty inconsequential organization, he nevertheless holds a lot of sway over the rest of the mob.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: In prison with Frank, he voices regret over his role in Hoffa's assassination.
* NeighborhoodFriendlyGangsters: His first meeting with Frank consists of him assisting Frank with engine trouble.
* NoodleIncident: One scene shows him returning home with blood on his shirt. No explanation is given, and his wife simply offers to wash it.
* OrSoIHeard: "Some people, not me, think you're demonstrating a failure to show appreciation."
* PragmaticVillainy: A very shrewd and calculating mafioso who won't allow someone to be killed unless he absolutely has to.
* PrecisionFStrike: Upon hearing Frank's combat experience, he delivers a Sicilian version of this trope:
--> ''"Mincia"''
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: He disparagingly refers to Allen Dorfman as a "pain-in-the-ass fucking ''jew''."
* TheQuietOne: He was known as "The Quiet Don."
* SophisticatedAsHell: He's wise and well-spoken, but is also somewhat profane.
* TranquilFury: He shows a lot of restraint after Joe Gallo insults him.
* WhamLine: "If they can wack a President, they can wack anybody."
[[/folder]]
----
!Main Characters
[[folder:Frank Sheeran]]
!!Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran
!!!Portrayed By: Creator/RobertDeNiro
The titular protagonist, who works as a contract killer for the mob. He's also Jimmy Hoffa's assassin.
----
* AffablyEvil: Even though he kills people for a living, Frank is genial enough to get along with just about anybody.
* {{Angrish}}: While confronting a guy who tried lying his way out of paying a debt:
--> ''"You wanna get cute with me? All that bullshit about your mother and sick and all that dying."''
* TheAtoner: Murdering Hoffa haunts him for the rest of his life.
* BeenThereShapedHistory: At least three examples: transporting guns for the Bay of Pigs Invasion; assassinating Joe Gallo; assassinating Jimmy Hoffa.
* TheBigGuy: His towering height is mainly why he works as a hitman and an enforcer.
* BodyguardBetrayal: Hoffa mistakenly trusts Frank with his life.
* BoomHeadshot[=/=]DoubleTap: His modus operandi as an assassin.
* CommonalityConnection: He bonds with Russell, an Italian-American, over their fluency in Sicilian and the fact that Russell was born in Catania, where Frank served.
* ConsummateProfessional: He never lets personal matters affect his job, as tragically demonstrated when he kills Jimmy.
* FateWorseThanDeath: With all of his friends dead and his family estranged from him, Frank is left alone in a nursing home to ruminate over his guilt and impending death.
* GoingNative: During WWII, he becomes acquainted with Italian customs after serving in Italy, like becoming fluent in Sicilian and developing a predilection for red wine. It's this that ingratiates him with the Mafia, even though he has no Italian heritage.
* GunsAkimbo: How he dispatches of Joe Gallo.
* HairTriggerTemper: Downplayed in the film, but its still there. This trait is more evident in the memoir, demonstrated by him assaulting his boss at a meatpacking job and also by him attacking the referee during a boxing match with a kangaroo.
* IntergenerationalFriendship: With Russell Bufalino.
* TheIrishMob: He's not technically affiliated with the Irish Mob in any capacity, but being a Mafia associate with Irish heritage qualifies him for this trope.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Unlike most of his murders, Frank is visibly distraught after killing Hoffa.
* NaiveNewcomer: Subverted: He stumbles a little with the Mafia's social mores, and he gets easily fooled and scammed on a few occasions, almost getting himself killed in the process. However, he quickly learns from his mistakes and adapts to the mob life.
* TheNarrator: Of the film.
* OnlySaneMan: Frank takes it upon himself to mediate conflict or be a voice of reason during petty disputes.
* PapaWolf: Deconstructed: when he assaults a shopkeeper for shoving his daughter, he winds up traumatizing her. This plays a role in her estrangement from him.
* TheQuietOne: A man of few words who speaks in a low mumble. He's fairly laconic even as the narrator.
* TheSociopath: Subverted: As a hitman, he has little problem killing people, but killing Hoffa has him racked with guilt.
* StartOfDarkness: It was during WWII that Frank developed a coldness to taking lives; he would force [=POWs=] to build their own graves before killing them on the spot.
* TheStoic: Lampshaded by Jimmy, who points out that it's impossible to tell what he's thinking by looking at him.
* VerbalTic: Has a slight stutter.
* VillainProtagonist: He's a hitman for the mob and the film's protagonist.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Jimmy Hoffa]]
!!Jimmy Hoffa
!!!Portrayed by: Creator/AlPacino
The mob-affiliated President of the Teamsters. After being sent to prison, his relationship with the Mafia gradually deteriorates as he attempts to regain control over the Teamsters, butting heads with them in the process, all of which ultimately leads to his assassination.
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* ALighterShadeOfBlack: While he is heavily corrupt and in cahoots with the mob (knowing full well what their methods are), he is still dedicated to his union brothers and to ensuring better treatment for the working class. Furthermore, his lighter character is affirmed by the bond he shares with Peggy, in contrast to her wariness around her own father and his gangster friends.
* BerserkButton: Being late to a meeting and insulting his ego are surefire ways to piss him off. Threatening his grand-daughter will catch you a beating.
* BodyguardBetrayal: His last words were, "C'mon Frank, let's get out of here," before Frank shoots him in the head.
* BoomHeadshot: His manner of death is two shots to the back of his head.
* BunnyEarsLawyer: He doesn't drink, loves ice cream, and always goes to bed with the door slightly open. He's also a highly effective leader of the Teamsters.
* TheCharmer: He is effortlessly endearing and skilled at winning people over (when he wants to be, at least).
* ConsummateProfessional: He has very high standards for professionalism. Subverted in that his contempt for people who don't meet them creates unnecessary conflict.
* ControlFreak: He goes to absolutely suicidal lengths to retake the Teamsters.
* CoolOldGuy: In spite of his reputation, his passionate and endearing nature earns him a lot of admirers, ranging all the way towards children.
* DeadlyEuphemism: "I heard you paint houses."
* EvilIsNotAToy: He's stunningly naive about what the mafia can do to him, and he pays dearly for it.
* FatalFlaw; {{Pride}}: The reason why he can't relinquish control of the Teamsters is simply because it's ''his'' union. Even though he's pissed off a lot of people trying to get it back, he absolutely will not back down, no matter how serious their threats become. In the end, the mob has no choice but to put him down.
* FriendToAllChildren: He bonds with Peggy, Frank's daughter, which continues into her adulthood as a platonic IntergenerationalFriendship. This is particularly striking given the distance between her and her own father.
* HappilyMarried: He and his wife are very close.
* HeterosexualLifePartners: He develops a very strong friendship with Frank Sheeran. Subverted by the fact that it isn't strong enough to stop Frank from killing him under orders from the mob, despite Jimmy assuming otherwise.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: His ControlFreak tendacies land him in prison when he commits witness tampering to acquit himself of a minor charge. His later conviction of actual fraud would compound his sentence.
* {{Jerkass}}: [[ZigZaggedTrope Zig-Zagged]]. Even though he isn't as nefarious as the mob and is fairly charismatic, Hoffa also has an unpleasently vindictive side to him. For example, he is incredibly condescending towards Tony Pro when he asks him for help, insulting him and refusing to get Pro his pension back. Furthermore, while his anger towards some of his incompetence is justified, he takes it out on otherwise innocent employees, inadvertently insulting Frank for instance (which he quickly apologizes for). Possibly the height of his dickish behavior was when he forced a flag to remain at full staff over one of his union headquarters in the wake of JFK's assassination, out of spite to the Kennedy's. In any case, Frank implies that the stress of Bobby Kennedy's relentless investigations and the ensuing trial proceedings caused him to [[TookALevelInJerkass take a level in jerkass]].
* NeverFoundTheBody: Famously so. According to Frank, his corpse was simply incinerated.
* NoIndoorVoice: Mostly when he's giving speeches of course, but he can be loud while off the podium as well.
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: Refers to Tony Pro as a "motherfucking wop cocksucker."
* RetiredBadass: He's been heavily involved with Unions since his youth, and the frequent clashes he and his strikes had with the police are all representative of his toughness. By the events of the film, he's still capable of beating up guys much younger than he.
* SirSwearsALot: He has a particular fondness for "cocksucker."
* SurroundedByIdiots: Invoked while berating his employees for bringing heat on him: "I am sitting in a room full of fucking idiots."
* TheTeetotaler: He doesn't drink, and dislikes it when people around him drink.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Russell Bufalino]]
!!Russell Bufalino
!!!Portrayed by: Creator/JoePesci
The don of the Bufalino Crime Family; he takes Frank under his wing and brings him into the mob.
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* AffablyEvil: Russell's polite, friendly, and will go out of his way to help strangers with things like car trouble. He's also had a lot of people killed.
* TheAtoner: He's evidently remorseful for his actions by the time he's in prison, regularly attending church just before he dies.
* BewareTheQuietOnes: He's a soft-spoken man who never raises his voice, but don't let that fool you: there's a quiet menace to him that one should never cross.
* CharacterTic: Is always asleep whenever Frank drives him.
* CommonalityConnection: He bonds with Frank, an Irish-American, over their fluency in Sicilian and the fact that Frank served in Catania, Russell's birthplace.
* DeadlyEuphemism: "Tell Jimmy, 'it is what it is.'"
* TheDon: Of the Scranton Mafia.
* DoubleSpeak: He's rarely direct in his instructions, yet they remain plain to see.
* HenpeckedHusband: Downplayed; they have a fairly equal relationship, but while on a drive, his wife demands to smoke despite the fact that he quit smoking, leaving him no choice but to pull over and wait.
* HeterosexualLifePartners: Solidified this with Frank after saving his life.
* IntergenerationalFriendship: With Frank, who's a few decades younger than Russell.
* LawOfInverseFertility: Unable to have children of his own, he tries to connect with Frank's daughter, with little success.
* TheMentor: He indoctrinates Frank into the mob and guides him in the organization's ways.
* MisterBig: Applies to both him and his crime family. Physically diminutive and running a pretty inconsequential organization, he nevertheless holds a lot of sway over the rest of the mob.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: In prison with Frank, he voices regret over his role in Hoffa's assassination.
* NeighborhoodFriendlyGangsters: His first meeting with Frank consists of him assisting Frank with engine trouble.
* NoodleIncident: One scene shows him returning home with blood on his shirt. No explanation is given, and his wife simply offers to wash it.
* OrSoIHeard: "Some people, not me, think you're demonstrating a failure to show appreciation."
* PragmaticVillainy: A very shrewd and calculating mafioso who won't allow someone to be killed unless he absolutely has to.
* PrecisionFStrike: Upon hearing Frank's combat experience, he delivers a Sicilian version of this trope:
--> ''"Mincia"''
* PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: He disparagingly refers to Allen Dorfman as a "pain-in-the-ass fucking ''jew''."
* TheQuietOne: He was known as "The Quiet Don."
* SophisticatedAsHell: He's wise and well-spoken, but is also somewhat profane.
* TranquilFury: He shows a lot of restraint after Joe Gallo insults him.
* WhamLine: "If they can wack a President, they can wack anybody."
[[/folder]]
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