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From his rise... In the heart of Harlem, a legend was born - Bumpy Johnson. Discover the life and legacy of the notorious gangster in this short history lesson.
- 1 min
- 14.6K
- Billionaire Lifestyle
Step into the mesmerizing world of New York's underworld with "The Untold Story of Bumpy Johnson," a gripping documentary that unveils the enigmatic life and legacy of Harlem's notorious...
- 37 min
- 1719
- MAFIA BIOGRAPHY
- The Early Life of Bumpy Johnson
- How The Future Crime Boss Entered The Gang Wars of Harlem
- Bumpy Johnson’s Reign as The Harlem Godfather
- The Harlem Godfather’s Turbulent Final Years
- The Enduring Legacy of Bumpy Johnson
Ellsworth Raymond Johnson was born in Charleston, South Carolina on October 31, 1905. Due to a slight deformation of his skull, he was given the nickname “Bumpy” at a young age — and it stuck. When Johnson was 10 years old, his brother William was accused of killing a white man in Charleston. Fearing a reprisal, Johnson’s parents moved most of thei...
Bumpy Johnson’s criminal career soon flourished as he graduated to armed robbery, extortion, and pimping. But he wasn’t able to avoid punishment and was in and out of reform schools and prisons for much of his 20s. After serving two and a half years on a grand larceny charge, Bumpy Johnson got out of prison in 1932 with no money or occupation. But ...
With Bumpy Johnson as the Godfather of Harlem, anything that happened in the crime world of the neighborhood had to get his seal of approval first. As Mayme Johnson wrote, “If you wanted to do anything in Harlem, anything at all, you’d better stop and see Bumpy because he ran the place. Want to open a number spot on the Avenue? Go see Bumpy. Thinki...
But no matter how smoothly he ran his crime business, Johnson still spent his fair share of time in prison. In 1951, he received his longest sentence, a 15-year term for selling heroin that eventually saw him sent to Alcatraz. Interestingly enough, the Harlem Godfather was eight years into his prison sentence in Alcatraz on June 11, 1962, when Fran...
In the years after Bumpy Johnson died, he remained an iconic figure in Harlem history. But despite his massive influence and power, the “Godfather of Harlem” has largely stayed out of the national public consciousness in ways that other infamous gangsters have not. So why is that? Some believe that Johnson has been brushed off because he was a powe...
With the Italian mob controlling his old turf in Harlem, Bumpy had to fight hard to regain control of the neighborhood and take on the powerful Genovese crime family. The series follows his struggles as he attempts to reclaim what was once his home turf and restore it to its former glory.
Mar 29, 2022 · For more than 30 years, Bumpy Johnson was famous for being one of New York City’s most revered and feared crime bosses. His wife called him the “Harlem Godfather,” and for good reason. Known ...
- 12 min
- 1.2M
- Urban Legends Mag TV
Feb 8, 2024 · Through Hewlett, Johnson became a highly regarded bodyguard for high-rolling illegal gamblers in Harlem. Eventually, Johnson's extracurricular activities — burglary, pimping, etc. — would land ...
People also ask
Who was Bumpy Johnson?
Is Bumpy Johnson The Godfather of Harlem?
Did Bumpy Johnson leave Harlem?
What happened to Bumpy Johnson?
As Johnson grew older, his parents worried about his short temper and insolence towards white people, and in 1919 he was sent to live with his older sister Mabel in Harlem. Johnson dropped out of high school and began working in casual jobs.
