- Took over the construction of the Flamingo Hotel & Casino from the original developer, and promptly ran up massive cost overruns. The fact that most of the money he was spending was mob money, and that much of the huge debts the casino was incurring would most likely never be paid off, are generally considered to be the reasons for his murder.
- Hated the nickname "Bugsy"--a slang term meaning "crazy" that was given to him early in his criminal career due to his explosive temper and penchant for brutal violence--and was known to physically attack and seriously injure people who used it in his presence.
- He was the basis for the Moe Green character in The Godfather (1972)--they both started casinos in Las Vegas and both were murdered by being shot in the eye.
- Portrayed by Warren Beatty in Bugsy (1991), Harvey Keitel in Virginia Hill (1974), Armand Assante in The Marrying Man (1991), Brad Dexter in The George Raft Story (1961), and Richard Grieco in Mobsters (1991).
- Once engaged to Wendy Barrie.
- Committed at least one rape, armed robbery, and murder before he turned twenty.
- Is referred to indirectly in the Tom Waits song, "Mr. Siegal".
- His assassination is depicted in the film L.A. Confidential (1997).
- Virginia Hill was his on-and-off girlfriend for some years until his death.
- Film producer Scotty Gelt is his only grandson.
- Borrowed money from Hollywood celebrities and didn't pay them back, knowing they would never dare ask him for the money.
- Had a daughter Carolyn with his fiance Wendy Barrie.
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