Mickey Cohen was a notorious gangster who rose from a small-time enforcer during the Prohibition era to becoming a powerful kingpin on the West Coast. Born on September 4, 1914, in New York, he was raised by Orthodox Jewish parents who had emigrated from Kiev, Ukraine. From a young age, Cohen was exposed to a life of crime and quickly became involved in the underworld.
During the Prohibition, Cohen worked as a muscle for the Chicago Outfit, a notorious criminal organization, alongside another up-and-coming mafia boss, Al Capone. He quickly gained a reputation for his ruthless tactics and willingness to use violence to achieve his goals. Despite his young age, Cohen quickly climbed the ranks within the criminal underworld, establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with.
After the end of Prohibition, Cohen continued his criminal activities, expanding his operations to the West Coast. He became known for his involvement in various illegal activities, including gambling, extortion, and drug trafficking. His rise to power was swift, and soon he became one of the most feared and respected figures in the criminal underworld.
However, Cohen's criminal empire eventually caught up with him, and he was arrested for tax evasion in 1951. He served a four-year jail sentence but returned to his old ways upon his release. Despite his best efforts to stay out of trouble, Cohen was arrested again six years later for his continued involvement in criminal activities.
Throughout his career, Cohen had many run-ins with the law, but he always managed to evade serious consequences. His connections within the underworld and his reputation for violence made him a formidable adversary for law enforcement officials.
Despite his criminal activities, Cohen remained close to his family, often providing for them and ensuring their well-being. He had a complicated relationship with his wife and children, who were caught up in the dangerous world he inhabited.
After his death in 1976, Mickey Cohen's legacy lived on in the criminal underworld. He was remembered as a ruthless and cunning gangster who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most powerful figures in organized crime. His name became synonymous with the Jewish Mafia, alongside other infamous figures such as Meyer Lansky and Bugsy Siegel.