Anthony Joseph Accardo (born Antonino Leonardo Accardo; April 28, 1906 – May 22, 1992), also known as "Joe Batters" and "The Big Tuna," was an American mobster who was the de facto boss of the Chicago Outfit from the 1940s until his death. Accardo's career in organized crime spanned over eight decades, making him one of the longest-reigning and most successful American mafia bosses.
Early Life and Rise to Power Born in Chicago, Illinois, to Sicilian immigrant parents, Accardo began his criminal career as a young man. He quickly became associated with the nascent Chicago Outfit, led by Al Capone. During the Prohibition era, Accardo served as an enforcer and a personal bodyguard for Capone. His early nickname, "Joe Batters," reputedly came from Capone himself, after Accardo used a baseball bat to brutally murder two rival gang members.
Leadership of the Chicago Outfit Following Capone's incarceration and the subsequent decline of his direct influence, Accardo steadily rose through the ranks of the Outfit. He became an effective leader alongside figures like Paul Ricca, and by the late 1940s, he had assumed the role of de facto boss. Accardo, a shrewd and calculating leader, differed from the more flamboyant Capone. He preferred to operate quietly, focusing on the Outfit's long-term stability and profitability rather than engaging in high-profile violence.
Under Accardo's leadership, the Chicago Outfit diversified its rackets, expanding beyond illegal gambling and prostitution into legitimate businesses and labor racketeering. His strategies ensured the Outfit's continued dominance in the Midwest, maintaining control over numerous unions, industries, and political figures. He was known for his ability to mediate disputes and maintain peace among the Outfit's various factions, which contributed to his exceptionally long reign.
"The Big Tuna" Accardo acquired his later, more famous nickname, "The Big Tuna," during the 1950s after returning from a fishing trip in Florida with an unusually large tuna. While initially intended by federal agents as a mocking term to signify his increasing size, Accardo reportedly embraced the moniker.
Later Life and Retirement Unlike many of his contemporaries, Accardo largely managed to avoid lengthy prison sentences, owing to his meticulous efforts to distance himself from direct criminal acts and his ability to influence law enforcement and the judiciary. He maintained a relatively low public profile, allowing figures like Sam Giancana to act as the more visible boss while Accardo orchestrated operations from behind the scenes.
In his later years, Accardo transitioned to a more advisory role, essentially "retiring" to his luxurious homes in River Forest and Palm Springs while still holding immense sway over the Outfit. His influence remained so significant that no major Outfit decision was made without his approval until his death.
Death and Legacy Tony Accardo died of natural causes on May 22, 1992, at the age of 86, in Chicago. He is buried in Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois. Accardo's legacy is that of one of the most successful and enduring figures in American organized crime. He is remembered for his cunning, resilience, and remarkable ability to adapt, ensuring the Chicago Outfit's survival and prosperity through decades of intense law enforcement pressure.