Casino (1995) Martin Scorsese’s 1995 dramatic thriller Casino is the quintessential ‘90s gambling film, and portrays a fictionalised take on true-life Vegas casino head Franky ‘Lefty’ Rosenthal and the Chicago mobster Anthony Spilotro. Rosenthal was a prominent Las Vegas casino executive during the ‘70s who illegally ran four casinos. Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci star in director Martin Scorsese's riveting look at how blind ambition, white-hot passion and 24-karat greed toppled an empire.
The 1995 movie Casino directed by Martin Scorsese is a cult classic but did you know the plot was inspired by a real-life story? Well you do now! The story was inspired by Frank ‘Lefty’ Rosenthal who managed the Fremont, Hacienda and Stardust casinos in Vegas for the Chicago mob in the 70’s and 80’s.
But just how much of the movie was based on real life events? Well, lets find out as we take a look through the Casino movie true events.
Casino Movie True Events
Casino 1995 Based On True Story Movie
The real-life Frank Rosenthal
All Main Characters Were Based On Real-Life Counterparts
Every main character you see in Casino is based on a real-life individual. Sam Rothstein is based on Frank Rosenthal, Nick Santoro is based on Anthony Splitotro, Ginger McKenna is based on Geri McGee and Phillip Green is based on Allen Glick.
Rosenthal Survived A Car Bombing
In the movie when Rothstein survives the car bombing is a moment taken straight from history. The only thing that stopped real-life Rosenthal from being blown to shreds was a metal stabilisation plate located underneath his drivers seat!
A Former Casino Executive was Tracked Down and Killed in his Home
One particular murder in Casino happened in real life. A former casino executive met his demise after being tracked and murdered at his home in Costa Rica. I think we’ll stick to online casinos from now on! Speaking of online casinos check out the best online casinos and feel safer in the comfort of your own home knowing you’re not going to get whacked!
Casino 1995 Based On True Story Movies
Geri’s Death Was by Overdose
Rosenthal tragically lost his ex-wife Geri from a drug overdose. Accurately portrayed in the movie as McKenna met a similar fate in the motel at the end of the movie.
Geri and Spilotro Had An Affair
Rothstein, McKenna and Santoro in the movie play a complicated and sordid love triangle. In real-life the story was very similar as Rosenthal’s ex-wife McGee and Spilotro were alleged to have had an affair. As we all know wives who stray is a code of conduct frowned heavily upon by the mob.
*Sponsored*