Johnny Stompanato

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Johnny Stompanato, Jr. (October 9, 1925–April 4, 1958) was the well-known mobster boyfriend of the late actress Lana Turner and bodyguard to the late gangster Mickey Cohen.

Born in Indiana, Stompanato had at least one brother, Carmine, who, as of 2006, still lives in Indiana and serves as a Presbyterian elder.

Public Murder Trial

Johnny Stompanato was stabbed to death on the night of April 4 (Good Friday), 1958, apparently by Lana's daughter, Cheryl Crane, who claimed she was protecting her mother from him at her mother's home in Hollywood. Stompanato was known to have been abusive to Turner.

The incident was ruled justifiable homicide, although Stompanato's family vehemently disagreed with the ruling. There have been endless rumors since that time that Lana was the actual killer and that her minor daughter, who faced minimal judicial punishment under the circumstances, took the rap for her, however there is no basis to suggest this as fact or support the claims.

Johnny Stompanato is interred at Oakland Cemetery, Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois.

In the film adaptation of L.A. Confidential, Stompanato was portrayed by Italian actor Paolo Seganti. It has been announced that Stompanato will be played by Keanu Reeves in the 2007 film Stompanato.

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