Barbara kuklinski her life sounds like an episode of the sopranos, but for barbara kuklinski, being married to a mafia killer was a drama she could never. The story of richard kuklinski, the notorious contract killer and family man. He would also beat richard and his brother florian so badly that hed knock them both out cold. An autopsy was performed but they determined that he died due to natural causes. The book follows the life of richard kuklinski, a contract killer for the new york mafia kuklinski earned the nickname iceman because he experimented disguising the time of death of his victims by freezing their corpses in an.
Life married to the iceman killer was no hollywood movie richard kuklinski killed hundreds in his job as a mafia hit man a job he managed to keep secret from his wife and children. Confessions of a mafia contract killer by philip carlo. Richard kuklinski, the story of the mafias most prolific. Jun 28, 2011 ive never read any biographies before, but im glad that the 1st one i picked up was the ice man. This book portrayed the iceman so clearly, some parts were hard to think about.
Louis free, the heartland radio show what philip carlo did was capture the heart and soul of richard kuklinski. Richard kuklinski was born in his familys apartment on 4th street in jersey city, new jersey, to stanislaw stanley kuklinski 19061977, a polish immigrant from karwacz, masovian voivodeship who worked as a brakeman on the delaware, lackawanna and western railroad, and anna mcnally 19111972 from harsimus, a daughter of catholic. The true story of the ice man shocked america because kuklinski led an. Hbo producer gaby monet both my wife and i read this book. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of brigadier general by polish president andrzej duda. While we were reading the book, neither one of us spoke to the other for days. Kuklinski was married at the time, with two young sons and had once sliced off his first wife s nipples during a violent attack. Because of his sheer number of kills, as well as his approach to killing, many believe he should be considered a serial killer. Richard kuklinski earned his place in the serial killer hall of fame by killing for the east coast mafia as well as killing as his violent temper urged him on. As the actor depicting kuklinski committed multiple murders on mobsters requests and chopped up his victims, merrick. By the early to mid1980s, kuklinski was involved in narcotics, pornography, arms dealing, money laundering, hijacking and contract killing. Apr 28, 2009 it is the most compelling book i have ever read. Richard kuklinski bio, wife, daughters, son, other.
Richard kuklinski bio, wife, daughters, son, other family. Richard kuklinski, american serial killer, known as the iceman, who was convicted of five murders and who in a series of media interviews later confessed to having killed at least 100 more and to having been a mafia hit man. The iceman was an enjoyable movie with very good acting, but ultimately quite unrealistic. He would routinely beat his wife anna in front of the children. Richard the iceman kuklinski biography famous people.
Ryszard jerzy kuklinski june, 1930 february 11, 2004 was a polish colonel and cold war spy for nato. Richard kuklinski died on march 5, 2006, after being diagnosed with an incurable form of kawasaki disease. Where richard kuklinski lived and the locations of his haunts. Michael shannon played kuklinski in the movie, winona ryder played kuklinskis wife, and chris evans portrayed mr. What philip carlo did was capture the heart and soul of richard kuklinski. Nope, nothing to do with danny zuko but richard kuklinski aka the iceman greased a hell. At the time, both richard and barbara worked at a warehouse. His death was labeled suspicious because richard was supposed to testify against a former mobster who was being tried for murder. For thirty years, richard the iceman kuklinski led a shocking double life, becoming the most notorious professional assassin in american history while happily hosting neighborhood barbecues in suburban new jersey. Richard kuklinski was born on april 11, 1935, in jersey city to. Richard met his wife, barbara pedrici, in 1960 when she was only 18 years old. Apr 28, 2009 philip carlos the ice man spent over six weeks on the new york times bestseller list.
Richard kuklinski biography, wife, daughters, son and other family members image source richard kuklinski was one of the hitmen and criminals of his time who virtually did everything bad in the books, ranging from narcotics, arms, money laundering, and hijacking, as well as a contract killing of people. Kuklinski, like others in the mob, had a cover story, and had met his wife while she worked as a secretary at one of these mafia fronts. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. With a body count well above 200, kuklinski was a killer motivated by greed with a hairtrigger temper. Rather than ever showing shame or remorse of any kind, kuklinski reveled in the attention until his dying day. He grew up to be a mafia hitman, known as the iceman for frequently immobilizing his casualties to confuse their time of departure. He took the credit for over 200 murders while working for various mafia families, including the murder of jimmy hoffa. The daughter of a notorious mob hitman, merrick kuklinski has long struggled to.
With michael shannon, chris evans, james franco, winona ryder. The film also stars winona ryder as kuklinskis wife renamed deborah, ray liotta as roy demeo, stephen dorff as richards younger brother joey, and chris evans as robert mr. Jan 05, 2019 kuklinskis father stanley, a vicious alcoholic, worked as a brakeman for a local railroad. As the iceman, a film about the serial killer richard kuklinski, is released, his widow barbara tells her true story to adam higginbotham. The iceman, richard kuklinski, comes off as a very sympathetic character in the end, whereas in real life he truly was a cold emotionless and sociopathic killer. He had been suffering from a rare inflammation of the blood vessels, and told family members that he had been poisoned.
In 2012, kuklinskis chilling story hit theaters with the iceman, starring michael shannon as the notorious mafia hitman and winona ryder as wife barbara. For all the gritty details he loved to share, keep reading to learn 15 terrifying facts about the iceman killer richard kuklinski. In a tawdry account, barbara kuklinski describes 25 years of abuse at the hands of her husband, a convicted new jersey hit man who claims to have killed dozens of times. Richard the iceman kuklinski parlayed his penchant for violence into a. Richard the iceman kuklinski parlayed his penchant for violence into a hitman contract for some of the most prominent mafia crime families, and is believed to have killed between 100200 men. Richard kuklinski, better known as the iceman, was convicted of murdering six people, but he claimed to have killed hundreds and the prosecutors didnt doubt it. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. The 2012 film the iceman was based on anthony brunos book the iceman. The film, titled the iceman, stars the rangy michael shannon as kuklinski, and the waifish winona ryder as his wife, barbara. Richard kuklinski, a suspect in several murders, is arrested by undercover agents at a truck stop off the new jersey turnpike, mark. Kuklinski met his wife barbara pedrici when he was 25 and she was 18. Of all the books my friends brought, this was the only one i had never read, so it was lucky that i picked it. Mar 26, 20 this book portrayed the iceman so clearly, some parts were hard to think about. By the time of their wedding, kuklinski estimated he had killed 65 people.
While his range of criminal activities expanded, he. Word is that carlos book has been bought by hollywood, with. A good portion is devoted to his wife barbra, who was an innocent 18 year old who. Richard kuklinski was one of the most diabolical, and notorious, confessed contract killers in american history. Though kuklinski and his family successfully defected, his past may have followed. He was set to testify in another crime family murder, and had told family members prior to his death that he was being poisoned, however his wife had signed a do not resuscitate order. Growing up with this ragefilled darkness and forced silence left its mark on richard kuklinskis family. Richard kuklinski, the story of the mafias most prolific hitman. The early spring of 2012 marked a little over a year since my first reading of philip carlos book the ice man a book about the life and times of mafia hit man richard kuklinski.
Philip carlos the ice man spent over six weeks on the new york times bestseller list. After being detained in 1986, he became enamored with the limelight, giving interviews to writers and shrinks, spilling regarding the myriad ways he had killed his victims and bragging about exactly how. Confessions of a mafia contract killer written by philip carlo, kuklinski claimed to know the fate of teamsters union boss jimmy hoffa. His personality, the fear he struck in others, he comes alive in these pages.
Richard the iceman kuklinski documentary english documentary. Confessions of a mafia contract killer by philip carlo this was a highly disturbing glimpse into the double life richard kuklinski lead. Despite asking doctors to revive him in the event of a cardiac arrest, in the week before richard died, his former wife issued a do not resuscitate order. Granted, it took me an entire year to finally sit down to read it, but i should never have waited. Jun 07, 20 married to the iceman as the iceman, a film about the serial killer richard kuklinski, is released, his widow barbara tells her true story to adam higginbotham. His wife lived on a razors edge between the caring, generous husband and the bellowing, raging giant who broke her nose. Mar 22, 2018 richard kuklinski, better known as the iceman, was convicted of murdering six people, but he claimed to have killed hundreds and the prosecutors didnt doubt it. Inspired by actual events, the iceman follows notorious contract killer richard kuklinski academy award r nominee michael shannon from his early days in the mob until his arrest for the murder. Learn more about his life and the murders for which he was convicted. Neither his wife nor daughters had any clue about his real profession being a mafia assassin for hire. Richard kuklinski, byname the iceman, born april 11, 1935, jersey city, new jersey, u. After his murder convictions, kuklinski was interviewed on.
Iceman richard kuklinski the most prolific hitman in. Dec 16, 20 kuklinski claimed to be a contract killer for newarks decavalcante crime family and new york citys five families of the american mafia. Standing at 6foot5 and weighing 270pounds, richard kuklinski was a. When kuklinski was good, he was good jovial, a good provider, a loving parent. Kuklinski claimed to be a contract killer for newarks decavalcante crime family and new york citys five families of the american mafia. May 30, 2019 richard kuklinski was one of the most diabolical, and notorious, confessed contract killers in american history. In the iceman, kuklinski is drawn into the mafia through his work in the film lab, and roy demeo essentially forces him to become a hitman. Richard leonard the iceman kuklinski was an american serial killer who joined the mafia as a contract killer for financial support. Jul 17, 20 in the iceman, kuklinski is drawn into the mafia through his work in the film lab, and roy demeo essentially forces him to become a hitman. Confessions of a mafia contract killer mass market paperback april 28, 2009. Married to the iceman as the iceman, a film about the serial killer richard kuklinski, is released, his widow barbara tells her true story to adam higginbotham. The gripping, true story of a woman who spent 25 years wedded to one.
New jerseyite richard kuklinski had several different personalities. Later, according to kuklinski, an accomplice started to talk to federal authorities. Confessions of a mafia contract killer, kuklinski claimed to know the fate of teamsters union boss jimmy hoffa. His family was apparently unaware of kuklinskis double life and crimes. He was charming and courteous, often presenting her with flowers when he picked her up from work. Top 10 richard kuklinski quotes the iceman, serial. The true story of a coldblooded killer reprint by bruno, anthony isbn. Driver, formerly a producer of tvs americas most wanted, splices segments from his prison interviews of hit man richard kuklinski with the reminiscences of his wife, barbara. Barbara kuklinski had been happily married to her husband richard for 26 years when policemen spilled out of unmarked police cars, threw open her cars doors, and thrust guns at her husbands head it was a flurry of inexplicable, unrelenting chaos. It was the week before christmas in 1986, and their sleepy street in dumont, new jersey, had erupted with foreign noise. Richard kuklinski died on march 5, 2006 at the age of 70. At home, richard kuklinski was a dedicated suburban family man. Kuklinski died on march 5, 2006 at the age of 70, in trenton, new jersey, under mysterious circumstances. Kuklinski lived with his wife and children in the new jersey suburb of dumont.
All the while he kept his work life secret fom his adoring wife, his children, and the neighbors. Oct 15, 2018 by the time of their wedding, kuklinski estimated he had killed 65 people. Facing imminent danger of discovery from a denunciation by a secret communist collaborator known only by his alias prorok, kuklinski, his wife and two sons were spirited out of poland by the cia shortly before the imposition of martial law in december 1981. Confessions of a mafia contract killer, i can say that ariel vromens big screen adaptation the iceman is a big disappointment. After his conviction, kuklinski took part in a number of interviews during which he claimed to have murdered from 100 to 250 men.
Arthur rothstein library of congress jersey city in 1939. Kuklinskis father stanley, a vicious alcoholic, worked as a brakeman for a local railroad. As the iceman, a film about the serial killer richard kuklinski, is released, his widow barbara tells her true story to adam higginbotham barbara and richard kuklinski as teenagers. Richard the iceman kuklinski public group facebook. I had never heard of richard kuklinski until this book.