Johnny Depp might have played Donnie Brasco in the Academy Award-nominated film, but the real-life hero is Joe Pistone. Pistone came up on the mean streets of Patterson, New Jersey before going deep undercover and spending six years inside the Bonanno and Columbo crime families. In the new podcast “Deep Cover-The Real Donnie Brasco,” Joe Pistone shares the true stories of his time with The Mob to his friend, and our host, actor Leo Rossi. If you loved the Sopranos--“Fuhggedaboutit”--this is The Real Donnie Brasco. Learn more at deepcoverpodcast.com
Reality vs. Fiction Part 4, B.T.S. of Donnie Brasco
On this season finale of Deep Cover, Joe and Leo deep dive into your final movie questions to reveal fiction from fact. Joe shares more of Donnie Brasco’s day-to-day life, particularly from the last impactful moments with Sonny Black and Lefty Ruggiero. From the Japanese Steakhouse fight to the thwarted hit by Donnie the made man– what was a true story and what was fabricated by the brilliant Paul Attanasio? Listen to learn more and stay tuned at the end to hear what’s in store for the forthcoming season!
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Episode Notes:
[00:00] Introduction with Joe and Leo
[02:09] Movie clip: Don the Jeweler
[03:20] Joe shares how he knew so much in real life about diamonds during his first meet with Lefty Ruggiero
[06:40] Joe’s Cadillac and blending in as broke
[10:32] Movie clip: He says it’s a fugazi.
[12:00] Joe shares the seeds of the fake diamonds scene.
[15:16] Movie clip: This is Lefty’s car
[16:19] Movie clip: Donnie Brasco fights a DA at the airport to save his cover
[17:45] Joe shares the truth about the shocking encounter
[19:06] Movie clip: Lefty hates the cold
[20:57] Joe details what really happened with the air conditioner debate
[24:54] Movie clip: Donnie refuses to take off his shoes
[26:11] Joe sets the record straight about the Japanese Steakhouse fight
[28:09] Movie clip: “You think I’m a f******g rat?”
[29:56] The federal boat and dramatic licensing byway of Paul Attanasio
[33:33] Truth or false: the ending of the movie Deep Cover
[35:15] True Story: FBI agents told Sonny Black and Lefty Ruggiero that Donnie Brasco was a cop
[37:40] Next season guests: Former undercover cop and beauty agent, Lisa Lockwood, Retired NYPD Ralph Friedman, former U.S. Customs Bob Starkman
[39:54] Happy New Year– until next time!
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10 Jan 2023
Jules Interview - Joe's Handler & Donnie's Rabbi
On this special episode of Deep Cover, Joe and Leo speak to former FBI boss, Jules Bonavolonta, who was Head of Organized Crime and Narcotics in New York during the Deep Cover investigation. Jules takes us down memory lane from the Vietnam War to his self-negotiations from the Army into the coveted federal agency.
But it’s really his untold stories about life-or-death moments with Joe Pistone, Lefty, Santo Trafficante, and the bureaucracy that will make you understand the severity of the undercover operation. Just how much trust and friendship played a major role in their success? You don’t want to miss this one.
JOIN THE MOTION LOUNGE!
For the first time, we are offering a subscription plan. For just $5.99 a month you will join the Motion Lounge and get:
Season Exclusives, such as the complete collection of tapes Joseph D. Pistone recorded while in deep cover with New York's most notorious crime families.
AD Free Podcast Episodes (Two Days Early)
Unedited Video Episodes & Behind-the-Scenes Content
Member-only Bonus Episodes
Member-only AMA's
Family-first access and discounts to live events.
Join now by clicking THIS LINK!
Have a question about this episode, a tape, or a past episode? Ask it here.
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Connect with us on social using the links below:
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Twitter: @deepcoverpodcast
Episode Notes:
[00:00] Introducing guest, ex-FBI agent, Jules Bonavolonta
[02:00] The Garden State Trio: Bonavolonta, Leo and Joe.
[03:10] On Anthony Imperiale, former New Jersey state senator
[05:20] On using “dramatic licensing” with the truth for movies and tv
[06:50] On the reaction of family and friends after joining the FBI
[09:00] Why Bonavolonta threatened to leave the military during the Vietnam War and made it in the FBI
[19:20] How Bonavolonta met Joe Pisone while running the organized crime division
[21:15] What’s a successful organized crime? Jules speaks on monitoring Joe in the mafia
[24:52] Joe explains to Bonavolonta what he does all day with Sunny Black and Lefty
[27:10] Jules details how much Lefty trusted Joe up until his trial testimony
[29:09] Jules and Joe relive the moment the mafia gave Joe a contract to kill Bruno Indelicato
[33:55] The infamous argument between Jules and Joe prior to his meeting with Santo Trafficante
[41:55] When the mafia found out that Donnie Brasco is Joe Pistone– an open contract
[44:04] Jules can kill you with his hands
[47:00] Outro
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3 Jan 2023
Reality vs. Fiction, Part 3
On this episode of Deep Cover, Leo Rossi walks Joe Pistone through a few more scenes of his Hollywood blockbuster, “Donnie Brasco.” Joe shares intimate details about real-life challenges with his wife, Maggie, while undercover, reveals the subtle brilliance of a scene between Donnie and Lefty, and other insights. He also shares some unrelated stories about the Sicilian Mafioso turned informant, Luigi Ronsisvalle, and a drug deal gone bad in Pensacola, Florida. This one’s full of suspense!
JOIN THE MOTION LOUNGE!
For the first time, we are offering a subscription plan. For just $5.99 a month you will join the Motion Lounge and get:
Season Exclusives, such as the complete collection of tapes Joseph D. Pistone recorded while in deep cover with New York's most notorious crime families.
AD Free Podcast Episodes (Two Days Early)
Unedited Video Episodes & Behind-the-Scenes Content
Member-only Bonus Episodes
Member-only AMA's
Family-first access and discounts to live events.
Join now by clicking THIS LINK!
Have a question about this episode, a tape, or a past episode? Ask it here.
Not ready to join the mob? Connect with us on social using the links below:
Connect with us on social using the links below:
Instagram: @deepcoverpod
Facebook: @deepcoverpodcast
Twitter: @deepcoverpodcast
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520 ratings
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