John Cassisi, best known for his role as the chubby, pint-sized gangster Fat Sam in the classic 1976 film “Bugsy Malone,” has traded make-believe mob antics for real-life crime. The former child actor, now 53, pleaded guilty to money laundering and bribery charges in a New York court, admitting to orchestrating a half-million-dollar kickback scheme during his tenure at Citibank.
Cassisi’s rise and fall is a stark narrative of contrasting worlds. Once the darling of Hollywood, handpicked from obscurity for his memorable role in Alan Parker’s musical gangster parody, Cassisi later carved out a successful career in the corporate world. As Director of Global Construction for Citibank Realty Services, he held significant power, overseeing the bank’s construction projects and the allocation of lucrative contracts. However, authorities revealed that Cassisi leveraged this position for personal gain, demanding kickbacks in exchange for favorable contract awards.
The scheme involved Cassisi accepting cash, extravagant vacations, and home improvements at his Long Island residence in East Northport. In one instance detailed in court, an electrical company rewarded Cassisi with a $21,500 trip to Alaska for securing a Citibank contract. These illicit activities were uncovered, leading to Cassisi’s arrest and subsequent guilty plea in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Prior to his life in finance and his legal troubles, John Cassisi’s claim to fame was his unforgettable portrayal of Fat Sam in “Bugsy Malone.” Director Alan Parker recounted the casting process, highlighting how Cassisi was discovered. In search of authentic, unpolished child actors for his film, Parker auditioned thousands of children. It was in a Brooklyn Catholic school that he found Cassisi. As Parker described to The Guardian, when he asked who the most mischievous child was, “Thirty kids pointed to one chubby little boy at the back. ‘Cassisi!’ they screamed. John Cassisi put his hands up and smiled. Although he had never acted before, he yelled out lines from the script with gusto. I knew right away we had our Fat Sam.” This spontaneous audition landed Cassisi the iconic role, alongside other young talents like Scott Baio and Jodie Foster. Beyond “Bugsy Malone,” Cassisi also made appearances in the TV series “Fish” with Abe Vigoda (1977) and the movie “Gemini” with Danny Aiello (1982), though none matched the impact of his debut role.
Facing Judge Laura Ward, Cassisi was sentenced to two to six years for money laundering and one to three years for bribery. The sentences are to be served concurrently. His lawyer stated that Cassisi “has accepted responsibility” and is seeking to “move on with his life and serve his sentence so he can rejoin his family.” According to his IMDb biography, Cassisi is married and has three children. Citibank, in an official statement, expressed its dismay at Cassisi’s actions and those of a subordinate, Arthur Fazio, who was also implicated for falsifying work orders to conceal the unauthorized construction work on Cassisi’s home.
The downfall of John Cassisi serves as a cautionary tale. From the innocent charm of a child actor celebrated for his role in a beloved movie, to a convicted felon entangled in corporate corruption, his life has taken a dramatic turn. The story of John Cassisi is a stark reminder that past glories do not guarantee future integrity, and that even those who once captured hearts on screen are not immune to the temptations of greed and the consequences of their actions.
