# Little Caesar — Character guide

> Key figures in Little Caesar by W. R. Burnett.

- [Rico](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/rico.md): Rico is Sam Vettori's lieutenant, a man so taut with ambition that he can't sit still or sleep past five hours, seeing the present only as a dingy way-station toward a promised land. He despises Joe Massara's dancing and
- [Sam Vettori](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/sam_vettori.md): Vettori is the old-school chief of the Vettori gang, sullen and bad-tempered under a mask of good-nature, dependent on Gentleman Joe's front and increasingly wary of Rico's hunger. He warns Rico, "You are getting too big
- [Joe Sansone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/joe_sansone.md): Joe Sansone is Rico's loyal henchman and self-appointed valet, sweating over studs and buttoned shoes while insisting that a man getting up in the world has to look presentable. Where Rico swears and balks, Joe persevere
- [Ramón Otero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/ramon_otero.md): Otero is a fellow gambler in Vettori's circle, a man of few words whose stillness reads as either patience or menace. He matches no one's stakes, offers no opinions on Joe or Rico, and when Montana leaves he pronounces s
- [Tony Passa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/tony_passa.md): Gang member involved in the criminal operations.
- [Joe Massara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/joe_massara.md): Joe Massara is the gang's polished front man, able to walk into swell hotels and ask for a suite, vain of his resemblance to the late Mr. Rudolph Valentino. Vettori insists they can't do without him, Tony Passa calls the
- [Little Arnie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/little_arnie.md): Small-time crook and informant within the gang.
- [Blondy Belle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/blondy_belle.md): Gangster's moll and love interest in the underworld.
- [Jim Flaherty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/jim_flaherty.md): Flaherty is the flatfoot who turns up at the wrong moments, needling Blondy Belle and reminding Rico that he's got his eyes on him. He plays the friendly Irish cop, but his interest is a leash, and Rico knows it. As the 
- [Sicily Pete](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/sicily_pete.md): Powerful gangster from Sicily with a fearsome reputation.
- [Killer Pepi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/killer_pepi.md): Enforcer and hitman for the criminal organization.
- [Scabby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/scabby.md): Low-level gang member with a rough appearance.
- [Chiggi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/chiggi.md): Aging gangster who provides counsel to younger members.
- [Big Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/big_boy.md): Overweight gangster known for his brute strength.
- [Chicago Red](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/chicago_red.md): Gangster from Chicago with a fiery temper.
- [Mr. Willoughby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/mr_willoughby.md): Respectable businessman entangled with the gang.
- [Olga Stassoff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/olga_stassoff.md): Dancer and romantic interest of a gang member.
- [Bat Carillo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/bat_carillo.md): Gangster known for his quick fists and loyalty.
- [Mr. DeVoss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/mr_devoss.md): Wealthy figure involved in criminal financing.
- [Seal Skin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/seal_skin.md): Smooth-talking gangster with a flashy style.
- [Sansotta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/sansotta.md): Italian gangster with ties to the old neighborhood.
- [Blackie Avezzano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/blackie_avezzano.md): Gang member known for his dark hair and temper.
- [Joe Peeper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/joe_peeper.md): Nervous lookout and informant for the gang.
- [Ma Magdalena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/ma_magdalena.md): Elderly matriarch who runs a boarding house for criminals.
- [Ottavio Vettori](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/ottavio_vettori.md): Son of Sam Vettori, caught between family and crime.
- [Spike Rieger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/spike_rieger.md): German-American gangster with a violent streak.
- [Mrs. Passalacqua](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/mrs_passalacqua.md): Wife of Antonio, caught in the criminal crossfire.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters