Salvatore Anthony Grosso (July 21, 1930 – January 22, 2020), known as Sonny Grosso, was an American movie and television producer, and New York City police detective, noted for his role in the case made famous in the book and film versions of the French Connection.
Grosso and his partner Eddie Egan, and other NYPD detectives broke up an organized crime ring in 1961 and seized 112 pounds of heroin, a record amount at the time. The investigation was the subject of a book by Robin Moore and a five-time Academy Award-winning motion picture in 1971 (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Film Editing and Best Writing). Egan and Grosso were technical advisers to the movie and played small roles. The movie was highly fictionalized, and a character based on Grosso, called “Buddy Russo”, was played by actor Roy Scheider, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance. Like the character, Grosso’s nickname as a detective was “Cloudy.” This was due to his pessimism, as well as the fact that “Cloudy” is the opposite of “Sonny.”
Grosso recounted that his cop buddy, Egan, was nicknamed “Bullets” because he was “always firing his revolver in the air” for effect but “Egan was the bravest cop I ever knew.” Grosso continued the story, adding, “My beloved mother Lillian also had an insightful take on Egan, and would warn, ‘I know Eddie’s going to make sure you come home every night. But what I worry about is that one time, Egan might not come home.’ Her comment was profound. And my pal Eddie was the greatest cop I ever worked with. God rest his soul!” Harlem to Hollywood includes stories with social, historical and cultural relevance. It’s told through the eyes of an ordinary man who has lived an extraordinary life both as a decorated NYPD cop and celebrated Hollywood producer.
redazione Atlasorbis F.L.
01/05/2020
(fonte Mr. Weiss NYPD and biography WiKipedia)