Here at The Root, we have no patience. Season 3 of Godfather of Harlem ended in March 2023 and we’ve had been waiting for season 4 to be announced ever since. Now that it’s here, we can say the show is extremely underrated as it takes an interesting look at the life of Black New York City gangster Bumpy Johnson.
Played by Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker, the star transports us into the 1960s, where we learn of Johnson’s rise as a crime boss. Before the new season is over, check out some facts about the real-life Bumpy Johnson.
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Born in South Carolina
Although he’s known as the “Godfather of Harlem” Ellsworth Raymond Johnson was born in Charleston, South Carolina on Oct. 31 in 1905.
Nickname
Johnson’s nickname, “Bumpy” came from the bump that appeared on the back of his head.
Move to Harlem
Bumpy did not move to Harlem until 1919 when he was sent to live with his older sister Mabel.
Relationship with Malcolm X
The two were friends since the 1940s, while Malcolm X, previously known as Malcolm Little, was a street hustler. Bumpy would protect Malcolm after he split with the Nation of Islam.
Celebrities
Known as a fashionable and smart man, Bumpy had friendships with popular celebrities such as singer Billie Holiday and superstar boxer Sugar Ray Robinson.
Gentlemanly demeanor
Despite being involved in crime, Bumpy was known to always be willing to help out less fortunate members of the community.
Academic
Bumpy would often lecture younger children in the neighborhood about taking their studies seriously instead of turning to a life of crime.
Stephanie St. Claire
Bumpy became an associate of Madame Stephanie St. Clair, a brilliant “numbers” queen during the early 1930s. He also started a war against mob boss Dutch Schultz, which led to dozens of murders and kidnappings.
Jet
Bumpy was so infamous for his criminal behavior that his actions would be reported in the popular black magazine, Jet.
Alcatraz
Although Bumpy was a legendary crime boss, he definitely saw time behind bars. In 1952, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug conspiracy. He spent most of his sentence in San Francisco Bay, Calif. at the infamous Alcatraz Prison.
Parade
After serving his time in Alcatraz, Bumpy was met with a parade when he returned to Harlem after being released on parole in 1963. The godfather was back home.
Protest
Bumpy was also stubborn. After he was arrested in December 1965, he staged a sit-down demonstration at a local police station where he refused to leave. He was eventually charged with “refusal to leave a police station” and was later released. Not something you hear about too often.
Criminal history
Bumpy had a criminal history about as long as a receipt. Throughout his time as a criminal, he was sent to prison on two separate occasions and arrested more than three dozen times.
Death
Although many criminal bosses of the time died from a hail of bullets, Bumpy died of congestive heart failure on July 7, 1968, at the age of 62 while having breakfast.
Wife’s long life
Bumpy died in 1968, but his wife, Mayme Hatcher, whom he married in October 1948, lived until May 2009. A year before her death, she wrote a book titled Harlem Godfather: The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, which inspired the story for Godfather of Harlem.
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