Anthony Pellicano Jr., a larger-than-life figure whose true story reads like a thrilling chapter from a detective novel, was born in 1944 near Chicago. After dropping out of high school, he joined the Army Signal Corps, where he earned his GED, or high school diploma. He then began working as a "skip tracer" and eventually opened his own private investigation firm in 1969.
By 1974, Pellicano had declared bankruptcy, and he changed the spelling of his last name by adding an "O," making it closer to the original Sicilian spelling. By 1985, he had relocated to Los Angeles, where he established himself as a security consultant and private investigator to the stars.
During his time in Los Angeles, Pellicano worked for several high-profile clients, including producer Don Simpson and action star Steven Seagal. He even contributed a story idea that was used to write an episode of the popular television show Magnum, P.I. in 1980. Life was seemingly good for the Windy City native.
However, charges began to surface that Pellicano's tactics on the job were questionable, to say the least. He was accused of using illegal wiretapping, making terrorist threats, blackmail, and assault to get unflattering information about his celebrity clients to disappear. He was also suspected of being the mastermind behind the intimidation attempts of several reporters who wrote critical articles about Seagal.
Pellicano's activities were widely covered in the media, with profiles appearing in publications such as Vanity Fair and the Los Angeles Times. In 2002, a search of his office safe revealed a stash of hand grenades and C-4 explosive material, leading to his arrest on federal weapons charges.
After a lengthy legal battle, Pellicano eventually received a 30-month federal prison sentence. Despite his checkered past, Pellicano remains a fascinating figure, with a story that is equal parts intriguing and disturbing.
