Dominick “Sonny Black” Napolitano was a capo in the Bonanno crime family. He became famous for allowing an FBI agent named Joseph Pistone to become an associate of his crime family. Members of the Mob, as we know, often have colorful nicknames, and Dominick’s was Sonny Black. The “Black” part allegedly refers to his dyed jet black hair, but was undoubtedly also used as a means of differentiating him from the many other mobbed up Sonnys.

Donnie Brasco is the film that more or less depicts what took place. Brasco (played by Johnny Depp) was Pistone’s undercover name. Dominick Napolitano was portrayed by Michael Madsen. Napolitano was murdered in 1981 for this serious lapse in judgment.

Dominick is from the Latin, meaning of God. Does any of this sound like it’s “of God” to you? What can we say… his nickname fit him better than his given name.

But what about Joe Pistone? His middle name is Dominick.

More Dom’s or Nicks:

• Bronx-born actor, Dominic Chianese who portrayed Junior Soprano on the famous series based on the New Jersey mob. He also played Johnny Ola in Godfather II, a judge on Law and Order, and an attorney named Leander Whitlock on Boardwalk Empire.
• Singer Tony Bennett was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto.
• Dominick Dunne, writer and host of Power, Privilege and Justice, a sensational look at crimes committed by the rich and powerful.