# Joe Sansone — Little Caesar character guide

> Joe Sansone in Little Caesar by W. R. Burnett.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Joe, V Joe, little Joe, Mechanically Joe

**First appearance:** 0002-little-caesar

## Snapshot

A stickler for clothes ten pounds heavier than his boss, Joe Sansone bullies Rico into a dress suit and starched shirt so the Big Boy won't think they've got no class.

## Who they are

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 perseveres with tact, tipping the mirror so Rico can see himself as one of the rich clubmen in the magazines. His fussy devotion gives the outfit its only tenderness, and his pride in Rico's ascent makes him a barometer of how far — and how fast — his boss is climbing.

## Relationships

### [Rico](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/rico)

_friendship_

Joe Sansone is Rico's loyal friend and trusted ally in their criminal operations.

### [Olga Stassoff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/olga_stassoff)

_romantic_

Joe Sansone is romantically involved with Olga Stassoff, a dancer who tries to pull him away from crime.

### [Tony Passa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/tony_passa)

_friendship_

Joe Sansone and Tony Passa are close friends and fellow gang members who often work together.

### [Sam Vettori](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/sam_vettori)

_professional_

Joe Sansone works under Sam Vettori's command, with a relationship based on mutual respect and criminal necessity.

### [Jim Flaherty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/jim_flaherty)

_rivalry_

Jim Flaherty targets Joe Sansone as a key member of Rico's gang, trying to arrest or turn him.

### [Rico](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/rico)

_friendship_

Joe Sansone is Rico's loyal friend and trusted ally in their criminal operations.

### [Rico](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/rico)

_friendship_

Joe Sansone is Rico's loyal friend and trusted ally in their criminal operations.

### [Tony Passa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/tony_passa)

_friendship_

Joe Sansone and Tony Passa are close friends and fellow gang members who often work together.

### [Olga Stassoff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/olga_stassoff)

_romantic_

Joe Sansone is romantically involved with Olga Stassoff, a dancer who tries to pull him away from crime.

### [Sam Vettori](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/sam_vettori)

_professional_

Joe Sansone works under Sam Vettori's command, with a relationship based on mutual respect and criminal necessity.

### [Olga Stassoff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/olga_stassoff)

_romantic_

Joe Sansone is romantically involved with Olga Stassoff, a dancer who tries to pull him away from crime.

### [Jim Flaherty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/jim_flaherty)

_rivalry_

Jim Flaherty targets Joe Sansone as a key member of Rico's gang, trying to arrest or turn him.

## In the story

### [Little Caesar Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/little-caesar)

A loyal member of Vettori's gang, wary of Rico's ambitions.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-iv-ii)

Present at the banquet in a tuxedo, corrects Sam Vettori's use of 'appetizer' to 'apéritif,' and is teased by Ottavio for his former job as a bellboy.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-v-i)

Brave and dependable in action, but a periodic drunkard and nervous.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-v-iii)

Covers the room with his automatic and verbally intimidates the Detroit toughs.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-vi-i)

Joe Sansone dresses Rico for the dinner, insisting on proper attire to impress the Big Boy.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-vi-iv)

Arrested and held in solitary confinement, accused of murdering Police Captain Courtney. Subjected to lineup, identification, and intense interrogation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/joe_sansone
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters