Quick Wiki
- Full Name Francis Joseph Sheeran
- Birth Date Oct 25, 1920
- Age 104 Years, 2 Months
- Death Date 2003-12-14
- Birthplace Darby, Pennsylvania,
- Occupation Labor union official
- Spouses Mary Sheeran (m. 1946; div. 1968)
- Birth Date October 25, 1920
Frank Sheeran | Biography
Frank 'The Irishman' Sheeran was a notorious hitman and key figure in the Teamsters, known for his friendship with Jimmy Hoffa and claimed murder of Hoffa.
Who is Frank Sheeran?
Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran was a notorious figure associated with the Mafia and a prominent union leader within the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Born on October 25, 1920, in Camden, New Jersey, Sheeran grew up in a working-class Irish Catholic family and served as a soldier in World War II, where he experienced heavy combat and developed a chilling detachment to killing. After the war, he became entangled in organized crime, ultimately serving as a hitman and gaining notoriety for his brutal methods and connections with powerful mob figures.
Sheeran's most infamous association was with Teamster president Jimmy Hoffa, with whom he developed a close bond in the 1950s. As Hoffa's trusted enforcer, Sheeran used intimidation and violence to protect Hoffa's interests within the union. However, when Hoffa was imprisoned, Sheeran's loyalties shifted toward the Bufalino crime family and their new union chief. After Hoffa's release, Sheeran was allegedly ordered to kill him, a claim he made in later years that would cement his place in mob history. His life story gained widespread attention with the release of the book "I Heard You Paint Houses," which revealed his confessions and was adapted into the acclaimed film "The Irishman" directed by Martin Scorsese.
Early Life and Education
Frank Sheeran was born on October 25, 1920, in Camden, New Jersey, into an Irish Catholic working-class family. Raised in a small borough near Philadelphia, his upbringing was deeply rooted in traditional values that shaped his character. Sheeran's early years were marked by the struggles of the average American worker, providing him a firsthand view of the challenges faced by laborers during that tumultuous period in American history. This environment would later play a pivotal role in his connection to labor unions and organized crime, as he sought both financial stability and a sense of belonging.
In 1941, at the age of 21, Sheeran enlisted in the U.S. Army. His military service during World War II profoundly impacted his life, as he became a member of the 45th Infantry Division and participated in several major battles across Europe, including the invasion of Sicily and the Battle of the Bulge. By the end of the conflict, he had logged an astonishing 411 days in combat, a testament to his resilience and determination. The brutal realities of war desensitized him to violence, laying the groundwork for his future as a hitman. Sheeran's educational experiences, intertwined with his military training, honed skills that would later facilitate his infiltration into organized crime.
Military Career and Transition to Crime
Frank Sheeran's military career began in 1941 when he enlisted in the army, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Serving in the 45th Infantry Division, he fought valiantly in several key battles across Europe, including the invasion of Sicily and the Battle of the Bulge. Sheeran proved to be an exceptionally experienced soldier, accruing 411 days of combat by the time he was discharged in 1945. His exposure to the brutal realities of war, including carrying out revenge killings and being involved in atrocities, emotionally desensitized him to violence, thereby laying the foundation for his future as a hitman for the mafia.
Upon returning from combat, Sheeran transitioned into civilian life as a truck driver but soon became embroiled in local crime after a violent incident involving two men. This shift steered him toward working with loan sharks, eventually leading to a pivotal meeting with Pennsylvania crime boss Russell Bufalino in 1955. This encounter marked the beginning of Sheeran’s deep involvement in organized crime, where he quickly became known as "the muscle" for Bufalino's crew. As he climbed the ranks of the mafia and forged a significant relationship with Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa, Sheeran’s life of crime took shape, making his previous military experiences both relevant and instrumental in his new career path.
Rise Within the Mafia and Friendship with Hoffa
Frank Sheeran, known as "The Irishman," rose through the ranks of organized crime in the United States, becoming a feared hitman for the mafia and a significant figure in the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. His journey began in the aftermath of World War II, where he transitioned from military service to a life entwined with criminal activities. After meeting Pennsylvania crime boss Russell Bufalino, Sheeran's role expanded, leading to encounters with prominent figures in the labor union and mafia worlds, including the infamous Jimmy Hoffa. Their relationship was built on mutual loyalty, with Sheeran serving as Hoffa's enforcer, intimidating potential threats to his friend's power within the Teamsters.
Over the years, Sheeran's deepening ties with Hoffa and the mafia culminated in a tragic betrayal. While Hoffa was incarcerated, Sheeran's allegiance shifted primarily to Bufalino and the new union chief, Frank Fitzsimmons. Upon Hoffa's release in 1972, he found himself sidelined from his leadership position, prompting desperate attempts to regain his influence. Ultimately, in a shocking turn of events, Sheeran claimed responsibility for Hoffa's assassination in 1975. His admission, detailed in Charles Brandt's book "I Heard You Paint Houses," chronicles the complex intertwining of loyalty, betrayal, and violence that marked both their lives and the larger narrative of organized crime in America.
Confessions and the Infamous Book
Frank Sheeran, infamously known as "The Irishman," made shocking revelations about his life as a mob hitman and his relationship with the notorious Teamsters leader, Jimmy Hoffa. His story, detailed in the book *I Heard You Paint Houses* by his lawyer Charles Brandt, brought to light chilling confessions, including his admission to killing Hoffa. This phrase not only symbolizes his mob affiliations but serves as a cryptic reference to his criminal acts. Sheeran claimed to have killed multiple individuals under mob orders, showcasing the depth of corruption entwined with organized crime and labor unions during his era.
In addition to Hoffa's murder, Sheeran made bold assertions regarding significant events in American history, such as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He suggested that the mob orchestrated the killing to eliminate Robert F. Kennedy's relentless pursuit of justice against organized crime. These confessions, captured through years of recorded interviews, offer a glimpse into the dark underbelly of labor unions and their infiltration by criminal elements. Sheeran's life story culminates in a narrative that intertwines loyalty, betrayal, and the moral depravity of a man shaped by violence and criminal enterprise.
Personal Life: Married with Children
Frank Sheeran married after being discharged from the military, embarking on a life as a family man while also navigating the tumultuous world of organized crime. His marriage produced several children, which perhaps added layers to his complex character as he balanced domestic life with his clandestine criminal activities. Raised in a working-class Irish Catholic family, Sheeran's upbringing influenced his sense of loyalty and dedication, traits that he later transferred to both his family and his criminal affiliations.
Sheeran's marriage and family life were also intertwined with his connections to the mafia and the labor unions. While he took pride in providing for his wife and children, his violent undertakings and deep loyalty to figures like Jimmy Hoffa often put them at risk. As he climbed the ranks in his union and the criminal underworld, Sheeran was constantly at odds with his roles as a father and a hitman, struggling to maintain a façade of normalcy in his personal life amidst increasing dangers and moral ambiguities.
Net Worth and Earnings: Estimated Earning
Frank Sheeran, known as "The Irishman," was deeply entrenched in organized crime and union leadership, making it challenging to estimate his net worth accurately during his lifetime. His criminal activities as a hitman for the mafia, combined with his role as a leadership figure in the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, would have supplemented his income significantly. While specific figures regarding his net worth are difficult to ascertain, it can be speculated that his dealings and associations within the labor unions and the mafia would have provided him with substantial financial resources.
Sheeran’s estimated earnings stemmed not only from potential pay as a hitman but also from the lucrative ties he formed through his mafia connections. His pivotal role in union-related activities and the corrupt practices that often accompanied them likely allowed for additional clandestine earnings. It’s widely understood that mobsters and union leaders often engaged in various illegal activities, including extortion, racketeering, and skimmed profits—the exact amounts of which remain largely undisclosed. Ultimately, Sheeran’s life was a complex interplay of criminality and labor politics, making his financial standing a point of intrigue but largely unquantified.
FAQs
Who was Frank Sheeran?
Frank Sheeran was a notorious hitman for the mafia and a prominent figure within the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He is best known for his close association with Teamster president Jimmy Hoffa, whom he claimed to have killed just before his death in 2003. Sheeran's criminal activities and relationship with Hoffa were later popularized in the 2019 film "The Irishman."
What was Frank Sheeran’s early life like?
Frank Sheeran was born on October 25, 1920, in Camden, New Jersey, into a working-class Irish Catholic family. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he experienced intense combat and learned to desensitize himself to killing, a skill that would later serve him in organized crime.
How did Frank Sheeran meet the mafia?
After his military service, Sheeran worked as a truck driver but soon found himself in trouble with the law. His path to organized crime began in 1955 when he met Pennsylvania crime boss Russell Bufalino, who offered him a job that marked the start of his criminal career as a mob enforcer.
What was Sheeran's relationship with Jimmy Hoffa?
Sheeran and Jimmy Hoffa became close friends after Sheeran agreed to serve as Hoffa's muscle. As Hoffa's enforcer, Sheeran was involved in intimidating rivals and maintaining Hoffa's power within the Teamsters. Their relationship soured when Hoffa was imprisoned, but ultimately, Sheeran claimed to have killed Hoffa on orders from the mafia.
What revelations did Sheeran make in "I Heard You Paint Houses"?
In the book "I Heard You Paint Houses," Frank Sheeran confessed to numerous crimes, including the murder of Jimmy Hoffa. The phrase "I heard you paint houses" is mafia slang for "I hear you kill people," encapsulating his life in organized crime. He also discussed his involvement in the assassinations of multiple individuals, including implications about President John F. Kennedy.
What is the significance of the movie "The Irishman"?
Directed by Martin Scorsese, "The Irishman" dramatizes Frank Sheeran's life and his claims about killing Jimmy Hoffa. Released in 2019, the film garnered critical acclaim and featured an all-star cast, including Robert De Niro as Sheeran and Al Pacino as Hoffa. It highlights the complex interplay between organized crime and labor unions in mid-20th century America.
What led to Frank Sheeran's death?
Frank Sheeran died on December 14, 2003, in a nursing home in Pennsylvania after suffering from cancer. His passing closed a dark chapter in the history of organized crime and labor relations, leaving behind a controversial legacy that continues to fascinate the public through various media portrayals.
