Joseph Gallo, also referred as Crazy Joe, was an Italian-American mobster and caporegime of the Colombo crime family. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia following an arrest, however managed to became an enforcer in the Profaci crime family and eventually formed his own group with his brothers Larry and Albert. It was speculated that Gallo and his crew murdered Albert Anastasia, the Gambino crime family boss, following orders of Joe Profaci. Gallo later rebelled against Profaci inciting the First Colombo War. He was sentenced to seven-to-fourteen years in prison being convicted of conspiracy and extortion. He reportedly befriended and coached an African-American gangster while serving his prison term and upon his release recruited black soldiers in his crew. He attempted to seize power from Colombo crime family boss Joseph Colombo. The latter survived an assassination attempt which the Colombo family believed was plotted by Gallo. In less than a year Gallo was shot to death while he was celebrating his 43rd birthday at Umbertos Clam House in Little Italy, Manhattan. The rivalry paved way for the Second Colombo War which continued for several years.