# Rico — Little Caesar character guide > Rico in Little Caesar by W. R. Burnett. **Role:** major **Also known as:** VI Rico, IV Rico, Seeing Rico, VII Rico, Señor Rico, Mr. Rico, All Rico **First appearance:** 0002-little-caesar ## Snapshot A pale, thin-faced gangster with tapping fingers and a coiled restlessness, Rico plays every hand to win and burns to be somebody in a world that keeps calling him dago. ## Who they are 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 softness, fears women who might slacken him, and bristles when Chicago Red bullies him — yet he holds his tongue and waits. His refusal to stay small, and the envy and discipline that fuel it, is the engine that will either lift him or break the gang apart. ## Relationships ### [Ramón Otero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/ramon_otero) _rivalry_ Ramón Otero is a rival gang leader who frequently clashes with Rico over territory and power. ### [Sam Vettori](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/sam_vettori) _professional_ Sam Vettori is Rico's boss and mentor in the criminal underworld, with a tense but necessary working relationship. ### [Joe Sansone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/joe_sansone) _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) _professional_ Tony Passa is a fellow gang member who works alongside Rico, often sharing risky jobs. ### [Ma Magdalena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/ma_magdalena) _family_ Ma Magdalena is Rico's mother, who worries about his criminal lifestyle but remains devoted to him. ### [Big Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/big_boy) _rivalry_ Big Boy is a powerful crime boss who competes with Rico for control of the city's rackets. ### [Blondy Belle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/blondy_belle) _romantic_ Blondy Belle is Rico's lover, a showgirl who is both attracted to and troubled by his violent world. ### [Little Arnie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/little_arnie) _professional_ Little Arnie is a small-time crook who works as an informant and errand boy for Rico. ### [Chiggi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/chiggi) _friendship_ Chiggi is a loyal henchman and friend to Rico, often serving as his driver and bodyguard. ### [Chicago Red](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/chicago_red) _rivalry_ Chicago Red is a rival gangster from Chicago who challenges Rico's authority in the underworld. ### [Jim Flaherty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/jim_flaherty) _rivalry_ Jim Flaherty is a corrupt police detective who hunts Rico and tries to bring down his gang. ### [Killer Pepi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/killer_pepi) _rivalry_ Killer Pepi is a hitman hired by rival gangs to assassinate Rico, creating deadly tension. ## In the story ### [Little Caesar Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/little-caesar) Introduced as a ruthless and ambitious figure, determined to climb the criminal hierarchy. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-i-i) Vettori's lieutenant; skeptical of Joe, quick with a gun, and a non-drinker. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-i-ii) Praised by Vettori as the best gunman in Little Italy, though with a swelled head. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-i-vi) Rico is shown grooming his hair with an ivory pocket comb, highlighting his vanity and self-absorption. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-ii-i) Leads the robbery crew, shoots and kills Police Captain Courtney despite orders to avoid gunwork. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-ii-ii) Returns from the robbery, admits to killing Courtney, and intimidates Vettori into accepting an even split, solidifying his dominance. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-ii-iii) Takes charge of the situation, hiding Joe Massara and listening in on the detectives' visit; later warns Vettori against squealing. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-ii-iv) Visits Ma Magdalena to plant money and later goes to Sicily Pete's café, where he reads about the Courtney murder. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-ii-v) Mentioned as one who offered Tony money to participate in stickups. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-ii-vi) Mentioned by Otero as the only man braver than himself and as a beloved friend. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-ii-vii) Rico collects and reads newspaper clippings about the robbery and Courtney's murder, reacting angrily to descriptions of him as an unhealthy foreigner. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-iii-iii) Plays solitaire and poker, remains calm and in control, advises Vettori to stop drinking, and takes responsibility for handling Tony Passa. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-iii-ii) Reading a magazine story about a rich society girl and a bootlegger; indifferent to Blackie's report but agrees to give Tony until tomorrow. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-iii-iii) Referenced as the one who committed the murder and who embodies fearlessness. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-iii-iv) Assumes leadership, forces Vettori aside, and personally executes Tony Passa. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-iii-vi) Dominates the scene, using violence to sober up Otero and asserting authority over Seal Skin. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-iii-vii) Rising in power, treated with deference by gang members; coldly pragmatic about Tony's murder; confronts detectives Flaherty and refuses to inform. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-iv-i) Emerges as the new power in the gang, demanding full control from Vettori. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-iv-ii) Arrives late to his own banquet, wearing a loud striped suit and yellow kid gloves, now with Blondy Belle. He discusses plans with the Big Boy and expresses suspicion about Joe Massara. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-iv-iii) Makes a speech at his banquet, allows photographers, and broods over Joe Massara's loyalty. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-iv-iv) Rico learns of Little Arnie's betrayal and plans to oust him, while reflecting on his distrust of women and his tense, goal-driven nature. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-iv-v) Finds Otero in his apartment, scolds him for leaving the door unlocked, gives him money, and cuts out a newspaper photo of the underworld banquet. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-iv-vi) Visits The Bronze Peacock to recruit Joe Massara; confronts Detective Flaherty. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-v-i) Described as small, pale, quiet, and underestimated by the Little Italians; his strength lies in singlemindedness, energy, and self-discipline. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-v-ii) Survives an assassination attempt, receives treatment, and plans retaliation against Little Arnie. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-v-iii) Leads the confrontation with Little Arnie, asserting his authority and forcing Arnie out of town. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-v-iv) Becomes famous overnight after the newspaper item; his rise accelerates Arnie's decline. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-v-v) Wounded, feverish, and exhausted, but determined to seize his opportunity; negotiates with Pete Montana while asserting his authority. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-vi-i) Rico feels small and nervous in the Big Boy's apartment, but is thrilled by the luxury and the promise of advancement. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-vi-v) Referenced as the target of Sam's anger and the one who 'busted us all'; Sam asks Scabby to kill him if he escapes. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-vi-vi) Flees from police after learning Joe Massara has informed on him; escapes through a building after Otero is shot. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-vi-vii) Hides in Ma Magdalena's basement hideout, reads about his own notoriety in the papers. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-vii-i) Rico flees to Hammond, buries his license plates, wipes grease from his face, and feels proud of his escape. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-vii-ii) Arrives at Sansotta's back door, explains his escape from Chicago, and decides to stay with Sansotta. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-vii-iii) Lying awake, filled with resentment, reflecting on his mistakes and his fall from power. He is now known as Crabby Louis. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-vii-iv) Feels acutely conscious of his fallen status; encounters Pavlovsky; fires warning shot at pursuers; arranges escape to Toledo. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-vii-v) Returns to Toledo, feels resentment and boredom in hiding, reveals his identity as Cesare Bandello to intimidate Chicago Red. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/chapters/part-vii-vi) Rico leads Chiggi's gang to prosperity, buys police protection, and arms trucks against hijackers. He fears exposure after revealing his identity, survives an assassination attempt, and is shot while fleeing police. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters/rico - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_caesar_se/characters