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Anthony John Spilotro (May 19, 1938 – June 14, 1986), better known as “Tony the Ant,” was an American mobster and a top member of the Chicago Outfit. He controlled much of Las Vegas’s criminal activity in the 1970s and early 1980s. Spilotro managed the Outfit’s illegal casino profits, known as the “skim,” from four major Strip casinos: the Stardust, Fremont, Hacienda, and Marina. Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal handled daily operations. After moving to Las Vegas in 1971, Spilotro formed the “Hole in the Wall Gang,” a well-known burglary crew.
His life inspired the character Nicky Santoro, played by Joe Pesci, in Martin Scorsese’s 1995 film Casino.
Here are some key facts about Tony Spilotro:
| Real Name | Anthony John Spilotro |
| Nickname | Tony the Ant |
| Date of Birth | May 19, 1938 |
| Date of Death | June 14, 1986 |
| Age at Death | 48 years old |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Wife | Nancy Stuart (married 1960s – his death) |
| Son | Vincent Spilotro (born 1960s; has spoken publicly about his father) |
| Most Famous Role | Chicago Outfit enforcer in Las Vegas; leader of Hole in the Wall Gang |
| Cultural Legacy | Inspiration for Nicky Santoro in Casino (1995) |
Tony the Ant Spilotro Biography
Tony Spilotro was born Anthony John Spilotro on May 19, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the fourth of six children of Italian immigrants Pasquale “Patsy” Spilotro Sr. and Antoinette Spilotro. His father owned Patsy’s Restaurant, which was popular with Chicago Outfit members like Sam Giancana and Frank Nitti. His brother Patrick Jr. chose a different path and became a dentist.
Spilotro got the nickname “Tony the Ant” in the 1970s after FBI agent William Roemer called him “that little pissant” in a public statement. Since the media could not use the vulgar term, they shortened it to “the Ant.” He once reportedly told a federal judge he would “kick his ass” during a hearing.
In 1971, the Chicago Outfit sent Spilotro to Las Vegas to protect their casino skimming operations at the Stardust, Fremont, Hacienda, and Marina casinos. The mob secretly controlled these casinos through straw owners and Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal. Spilotro’s main job was to intimidate and collect the skim, but he soon expanded his role. Finding oversight boring, he started the “Hole in the Wall Gang” in the mid-1970s. This group of burglars, including his childhood friend Frank Cullotta, Wayne Matecki, and Ernest Davino, robbed homes and businesses by drilling through walls and ceilings.
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Spilotro’s time in Las Vegas was marked by violence and chaos. He was suspected in several murders, including William “Action” Jackson and others linked to casino skimming disputes. In 1978, he survived a car bomb meant for Rosenthal. His affair with Geri McGee, Rosenthal’s wife, created more personal problems. By the early 1980s, Chicago Outfit leaders became frustrated with Spilotro’s reckless actions, legal issues, and failure to keep Las Vegas operations quiet.
In July 1982, Frank Cullotta was arrested and became an FBI informant. He testified against Spilotro in several cases. In June 1986, Tony and his brother Michael disappeared from Michael’s home in Oak Park, Illinois. On June 22, their bodies were found buried in a shallow grave in a cornfield near Enos, Indiana. Autopsies showed they were beaten to death with blunt objects, possibly bats or hammers. Outfit leaders, including Joseph Aiuppa and Tony Accardo, ordered the murders because they saw Spilotro as a liability.
No one was ever convicted for the Spilotro brothers’ murders, but several Outfit members were linked to the 2007 Family Secrets trial. Nicholas Calabrese admitted to helping plan the killings and said the brothers were lured to a basement in Bensenville, thinking Michael would be inducted into the Outfit. They were beaten and buried alive.
Update
As of January 2026, Tony Spilotro has been dead for almost 40 years (he died on June 14, 1986, at age 48). Here are some updates and notes on his legacy:
- No new arrests, confessions, or legal developments related to his murder have emerged since the 2007 Family Secrets trial.
- His son, Vincent Spilotro, has sometimes spoken in public to defend his father’s memory.
- The Las Vegas Mob Experience at the Tropicana, which opened in the 2010s, and other mob museums still feature exhibits about Spilotro.
- Spilotro’s name still comes up in true-crime podcasts, books, and Las Vegas mob tours.
Son
Tony Spilotro had one known son, Vincent Spilotro, born in the 1960s to Tony and his wife, Nancy Stuart. Vincent has lived a private life but has occasionally spoken publicly about his father, particularly in interviews around the Las Vegas Mob Experience and Casino-related retrospectives. In a 2010 Maxim magazine interview, Vincent claimed the real target of the 1986 murder was his uncle Michael, and Tony was killed to eliminate any chance of revenge. Vincent has defended his father’s reputation, portraying him as loyal to the Outfit rather than reckless. No other children are publicly documented. Vincent has stayed out of organised crime and maintains a low profile as of 2026.
Movies
Tony Spilotro never acted in movies, but his life inspired several major portrayals:
- Casino (1995) – Martin Scorsese’s film, based on Nicholas Pileggi’s book Casino. Joe Pesci plays Nicky Santoro, a character based directly on Spilotro. The movie shows his Las Vegas operations, the Hole in the Wall Gang burglaries, his temper, and his violent death.
- Crime Story (1986–1988) – This NBC series was loosely inspired by Spilotro. The character Ray Luca, played by Anthony Denison, is based on his early life and connections to the Outfit.
- Many documentaries and true-crime specials, such as A&E Biography and the History Channel, have covered Spilotro’s life. They often use archival footage and interviews with Frank Cullotta.
Death
Tony Spilotro and his brother Michael disappeared on June 14, 1986, after leaving Michael’s home in Oak Park, Illinois. Michael’s wife, Anne, reported them missing on June 16. Their car was found a few days later at a motel near O’Hare Airport. On June 22, their bodies were found in a shallow grave in a cornfield near Enos, Indiana, one on top of the other and stripped to their undershorts. Autopsies showed they were beaten to death with blunt objects, likely bats or hammers, and buried alive. They had been dead since June 14.
The murders were ordered by Chicago Outfit leaders (including Tony Accardo and Joseph Aiuppa) who viewed Spilotro as a liability due to his legal troubles, recklessness, and media attention. Nicholas Calabrese later confessed to helping plan the killings in a Bensenville basement, where the brothers were lured under the pretence of Michael’s induction into the Outfit.
Wife
Tony Spilotro was married to Nancy Stuart from the 1960s until he died in 1986. Nancy kept a low profile during his years in Las Vegas and rarely spoke in public. After his murder, she had little contact with authorities and continued to live privately. She has not remarried publicly and has stayed out of the media. As of 2026, there are no recent updates about her life or status.
