In 1949, Mickey Cohen was a well-known name in Los Angeles. He was a notorious mobster. He had a reputation for violence. But LIFE photographer Ed Clark captured a different side of Cohen that year. His photos showed a seemingly ordinary life. The pictures featured Mickey and his wife, LaVonne. They wanted to appear as regular, respectable citizens.
Mickey Cohen’s real life was far from ordinary, though. He was born in Brooklyn in 1913. His family moved to Los Angeles when he was young. He got involved in crime as a teenager. He started with boxing. During the Great Depression, he worked for powerful mobsters in different cities. These cities included Cleveland, New York, and Chicago.
By the 1940s, Cohen was working for the infamous Bugsy Siegel in Los Angeles. He was connected to other major mob figures, too. These included Meyer Lansky and Frank Costello. He had the backing of powerful crime families. He was deeply involved in the criminal underworld. He had a hand in many illegal activities.
Cohen’s power in Los Angeles grew after Siegel was murdered in 1947. He became the top mob boss on the West Coast. He controlled gambling, extortion, and other rackets. He also had connections in Hollywood. He used his influence in the movie industry for profit. He used blackmail. He controlled unions. He became incredibly wealthy.
The photos taken by Ed Clark in 1949 show a carefully constructed image. In one picture, Cohen is seen reading the newspaper at home. He looks relaxed and comfortable. Another photo shows him having breakfast with his wife. They appear to be a normal, happy couple. The images are meant to project a sense of normalcy. They wanted people to see them in a positive light.
The photos portray Cohen as a successful businessman. They show him as a man who enjoys the finer things in life. He is always well-dressed. He drives expensive cars. He lives in a nice home. This lifestyle was funded by his criminal activities. It was built on a foundation of violence and fear.
