Samuel Levine

Samuel "Red" Levine (born 1903) was an American mobster, one of the more colorful characters of New York's underworld. Born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York. As a youngster, he acquired the nickname "Red" due to his red hair. He was born and raised in a home on Houston Street. His last name Levine, originally Levin came from the Jewish biblical tribe of Levi, whose descendants the Levites had distinctive duties in the Temple period. ... more

Samuel "Red" Levine (born 1903) was an American mobster, one of the more colorful characters of New York's underworld. Born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York. As a youngster, he acquired the nickname "Red" due to his red hair. He was born and raised in a home on Houston Street. His last name Levine, originally Levin came from the Jewish biblical tribe of Levi, whose descendants the Levites had distinctive duties in the Temple period. His ancestry goes back to when his forefathers were a member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi. To help his family, he worked on an ice truck at age 8, and was assigned to truant schools until he lied about his age and joined the US Navy at 15. He said he was in fights on board constantly because of his hair and his Jewish heritage. He subsequently jumped ship in the Republic of Panama and ventured back to New York City. Levine was a member of the notorious Mafia gang, Murder, Inc., and is credited with being the trigger man, with Dutch Schultz... less