Real life inspiration: Henry Hill

In reality: Hill was born in 1940s America, one of seven Irish-Italian siblings. Despite (or perhaps because of) his struggles he never truly found success. Fame is a different matter with his name now forever associated with crime - Hill was the Mafia man who turned informer (and survived).

In the movies: Hill was played by Ray Liotta in perhaps the greatest gangster film ever made – 'Goodfellas'. While highly romanticised, several key aspects of the film are true to life. The FBI agent featured in the witness protection scheme scene is no actor but the government agent who really spoke to Hill.