George Raft

George Raft(néeRanft; September 26, 1901– November 24, 1980) was an American film actor and dancer identified with portrayals of gangsters in crime melodramas of the 1930s and 1940s. A stylish leading man in dozens of movies, Raft is remembered for his gangster roles inQuick Millions(1931) withSpencer Tracy,Scarface(1932) withPaul Muni,Each Dawn I Die(1939) withJames Cagney,Invisible Stripes(1939) withHumphrey Bogart, andBilly Wilder's comedySome Like It Hot(1959) withMarilyn MonroeandJack Lemmon; and as a dancer inBolero(1934) withCarole Lombardand a truck driver inThey Drive by Night(1940) withAnn Sheridan,Ida Lupinoand Bogart.
Raft was born at 415 West 41st Street inHell's Kitchen, Manhattan, New York City, the son of Eva (néeGlockner), a German Jewish immigrant, and Conrad Ranft, who was born in Massachusetts to German Jewish immigrants.His parents were married on November 17, 1895, in Manhattan. Raft's sister Eva, known as Katie, was born on April 18, 1896. Raft's grandfather had emigrated from Germany and worked on merry-go-rounds and prospected for gold. His father worked in carnivals before settling in New York.
Most obituaries cited Raft's year of birth as 1895, which he stated was correct when he appeared onThe Mike Douglas Showseven months prior to his death.However, Raft is recorded in the New York City Birth Index as having been born on September 26, 1901, in Manhattan as "George Rauft" (although "Rauft" is likely a mistranscription of "Ranft").The 1900 census for New York City lists his sister Katie as his parents' only child, with two children born and only one living.In the 1910 census, he is listed as eight years old.
Raft grew up on 41st Street and worked as an errand boy and a fishwrapper after school. His parents sent him to live at his grandparents' house on 164th Street. He left school at the age of 12, and left home at 13. He worked as an apprentice electrician for a year, thenboxedprofessionally for two years beginning at the age of 15. As Dutch Rauft, he fought 14 bouts, with nine victories, three defeats and two draws.Another account says that Raft fought 25 bouts and was knocked out seven times.
Raft played minor-league baseball, reportedly withSpringfieldof the Eastern League, as a utilityoutfielderwith pitching aspirations. However, his batting was poor and he was dropped.
"I was just trying to find something that I liked that would make me a living," said Raft later. "I saw guys fighting, so I fought. I saw guys playing ball, so I played ball. Then I saw guys dancing... and getting paid for it!"
Raft's mother taught him how to dance, and he danced at outdoor amusement parks and carnivals with his parents.Following his baseball career, he began working as ataxi dancerin the poorer sections of New York. At first he struggled financially, but then he won aCharlestoncompetition and was launched professionally.
Raft started performing exhibition dances in the afternoon at Healy's, Murray's, Rectors and Churchills in New York.He then started working in New York City nightclubs, often in the same venues as didRudolph Valentinobefore Valentino became a film actor.Raft had a notable collaboration with Elsie Pilcer.A May 1924 review inVarietycalled him "gifted."
"I could have been the firstX-rateddancer," he said later. "I was very erotic. I used to caress myself as I danced. I never felt I was a great dancer. I was more of a stylist, unique. I was never a Fred Astaire or a Gene Kelly, but I was sensuous."
Raft went on tour as a dancer and helped popularize thetangoin Paris, Vienna, Rome, London and New York.He had a great success as a dancer in London in 1926, and theDuke of Windsorwas "an ardent fan and supporter."Fred Astaire, in his autobiographySteps in Time(1959), wrote that Raft was a lightning-fast dancer and did "the fastest Charleston I ever saw."A September 1926 edition ofVarietyspoke of Raft's reputation as "the best Charleston dancer in New York."
During this time, Raft befriended a number of gangsters, includingEnoch JohnsonandLarry Fay, and he would occasionally drive forOwney Madden.A boyhood friend of gangsterBenjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, and later a "wheel man" for the mob, Raft acknowledged having narrowly avoided a life of crime.
Raft became part of the stage act of flamboyantspeakeasyand nightclub hostessTexas Guinanat the 300 Club, and he also produced some of her shows.
His success led him toBroadway, where he again worked as a dancer.His stage performances includedThe City Chap(October 1925) (with music byJerome Kern),Gay Paree,Madhattan,Palm Beach Nights(also known asNo Foolin') andPadlocks of 1927(1927). He was called "the fastest Charleston dancer."
Raft later starred in the filmBroadway(1942), a fictionalized account of his life when he was working theParamount-Publixcircuit and performing in stage shows that were presented before movies.
Owney Maddentold Raft that he should be in motion pictures, and Raft decided to try to break into film acting after being threatened by the husband of a woman whom he had been seeing.In 1927, Raft relocated toHollywood, where he first danced in clubs to pay the bills.
In October 1928, Raft appeared in a stage show presented byTexas GuinancalledNight Club. TheLos Angeles Timessaid Raft "scores a tremendous individual hit."Varietywrote that Raft appeared at the climax when he "came to the front and did his eccentric dance routine, which he climaxed with the hottest black bottom ever. He goaled the audience, being the big punch of the show."
Raft's screen debut was inQueen of the Night Clubsstarring Guinan, who insisted Raft have a small role. Although Raft's scenes were cut, aVarietyreview said "...a nite club scene introduces George Raft, the hot stepper, as the m. c. and band leader, being brought down for one of his rip-snorting hoofing specialties."Raft also appeared in stage shows supporting the film. One reviewer called him "a clever dancer".Queen of the Night Clubsis considered alost film.
Raft followed this with small roles inGold Diggers of BroadwayandSide Street. His dancing skills were noticed by directorRowland Brown, who cast him in a substantial supporting gangster role asSpencer Tracy's character'ssidekickinQuick Millions(1931).Raft's appearances in these films were followed byGoldiewith Spencer Tracy andJean Harlow,Hush MoneywithJoan Bennett, and theEddie CantormusicalPalmy Days.
InTaxi!(1932), starring James Cagney andLoretta Young, Raft had a colorful unbilled dancing role as Cagney's competitor in a dance contest, who wins only to be knocked down by Cagney. He was third-billed in an extremely large role as a gangster inDancers in the Dark(1932), belowMiriam Hopkinsas a dancer andJack Oakieas a bandleader.
Raft said he never regarded himself as an actor. "I wanted to be me," he said.
Raft's big break came when cast as the second lead, alongsidePaul Muni, as Tony Camonte inHoward Hawks'sScarface. In the film, he plays second-in-command Guino Rinaldo, who falls in love with Camonte's sister and is murdered by him. Raft's performance is notable for his character's habit of flipping a coin, which became an iconictropein gangster films; while others claimed credit for the mannerism, writerW.R. Burnettconfirmed that it was Raft who invented it. Burnett said: "He realized he wasn't a good actor, which he wasn't. But he knew if he reacted to what other people said, he was effective."
Scarfacewas filmed in September 1931. It was released byUnited Artistsin 1932. It became a hit and made Raft a star. He said: "That was the big one. People remembered me. I was getting real fan mail – by the bushel basket – and even a dumb kid from 10th Avenue could figure out how to translate that into money."
After filmingScarface, Raft madeNight World(1932) atUniversal, supportingLew Ayres, andLove Is a Racket, directed byWilliam Wellman, although all of Raft's scenes were eventually cut.
Raft signed a contract withParamountin March 1932.The following month, he was cast in a supporting role inMadame Racketeer(1932), and contemporary reports referred to his "menacing suavity."He was announced forLadies of the Big HousewithSylvia SidneyandGene Raymond.
WhenScarfacewas released, public response was so strong that Raft was offered the lead role in a film based on a story byLouis Bromfeld, originally titledNumber 55and then changed toNight After Night(1932).When the studio adamantly refused to hireTexas Guinan, upon whom one of the film's characters is based, because of her age, Raft advocated for his friendMae Westto be cast in a supporting role in his first film as leading man.
Raft was one of several Paramount stars who appeared in the episodic comedy/dramaIf I Had a Million(1932), playing a forger hiding from police who is suddenly given a million dollars with no place to cash the check. He starred inUnder-Cover Man(1932) and was announced forBodyguard, which was never made.He next appeared inPick Up(1933). A natural practitioner of a form ofmethod acting, Raft toldVariety:
Raft refused to appear inThe Story of Temple Drake(1933) withMiriam Hopkins, as he did not want to play a sadist. He was replaced byJack La Rue, who had been originally cast for Raft's role inScarface.Raft was placed on suspension in February.
He said: "It's not that I mind being the guy on the wrong side of the law. But I won't take a role that's pure heel. The character has to have some ray of warmth, some redeeming quality – or it just isn't real."
The Story of Temple Drakeperformed poorly at the box office and was believed to have hurt La Rue's career.Raft was removed from suspension in April 1933,and he returned to Hollywood to appear inMidnight Club(1933), set in London.
Raft was borrowed byTwentieth Century Pictures, a new production company established byDarryl F. Zanuck(former head of production at Warner Bros.). He appeared in the studio's first film,Raoul Walsh's highly popular and energetic period pieceThe Bowery, asSteve Brodie, supposedly the first man to jump off theBrooklyn Bridgeand survive. Raft plays the second lead toWallace Beeryas a flamboyant saloon owner who competes with Raft forFay Wray's character as well asPert Keltonas a singer/dancer.
Back at Paramount, Raft supportedFredric MarchandMiriam HopkinsinAll of Me(1934), which was not popular. Zanuck wanted him forBlood Money, but Raft was too busy at Paramount.
Raft was meant to appear inIt's a Pleasure to Lose, based on the life ofNick the Greek, but instead was slated to star inBolero(1934), playing a dancer withCarole Lombard. Raft initially refused the film until it was re-written, and the studio suspended him, but Raft eventually made the film, which became a great success.TheNew York Timeswrote: "Raft is a vivid and pictorially interesting type, rather than an actor in the technical sense, and consequently he proves unequal to the full implications of the fame-hungry dancer. The exterior attractiveness which Mr. Raft brings to the rôle gives 'Bolero' considerable color, nevertheless."
In March 1934, Raft was suspended a second time for having refused the male lead in Mae West'sIt Ain't No Sin(later changed toBelle of the Nineties) because his part was subordinate to West's.In May 1934, Raft signed a new contract with Paramount to reflect his star status.
Raft next appeared inThe Trumpet Blows(1934), playing a matador. The film was an attempt to invoke Valentino'sBlood and Sand, and for a time, Raft was promoted as a "second Valentino."Raft walked out on the film unhappy with his role, but later returned after re-writes were made. The film was a box-office disappointment.
Raft then starred inLimehouse Blues(1934) withAnna May Wong. In February 1934, he admitted to having been involved in three fights during his career as a dancer and actor, including one in which he hit the producer ofBolero.In August 1934, Raft was involved in a brawl at the HollywoodBrown Derby.At the end of 1934, Raft was listed in a survey of theater managers as among Paramount's secondary tier of stars "if properly cast."
InRumba(1935), Raft was reunited with Lombard. He also starred inStolen Harmony(1935) and was slated to appear inGambler's Maximfrom a story byJames Edward Grant, but the film was not made.
Raft starred in a brutal and fast-paced adaptation ofDashiell Hammett'sThe Glass Key(1935). He tried a comedy,Every Night at Eight(1935), and was borrowed byColumbia Picturesto appear inShe Couldn't Take It(1935), a comedy in the vein ofIt Happened One Night(1934). He then was borrowed by 20th Century-Fox forIt Had to Happen(1936) and starred in Paramount'sYours for the Asking(1936).
Raft was meant to team with Lombard for a third time inThe Princess Comes Across(1936), but refused to make the film as he was unhappy with the choice of cameraman. He was replaced byFred MacMurrayand was suspended again in February 1936.He was scheduled to star inYou and Me, the directorial debut ofNorman Krasna, but he refused to work for a first-time director.Raft was put on suspension and $24,000 of his salary was withheld.In October 1936, he reconciled with Paramount and the studio returned his $24,000.
Raft was offered a part opposite the studio's top male starGary CooperinSouls at Sea(1937), directed byHenry Hathaway. Raft originally turned it down as his character was a coward, leaving Paramount and his $4,000-per-week contract in November 1936, though the contract still had two years remaining.Samuel Goldwynwanted Raft for the film version ofDead Endand Universal,David O. Selznickand 20th Century Fox were keen on using Raft.Lloyd Nolanwas announced as Raft's replacement inSouls at Sea.Raft was discussing a three-films-per-year deal with United Artists for three years, to start withDead End.However, Raft agreed to return to Paramount andSouls at Seawhen his part was re-written to be more sympathetic.Souls at Seawas a great hit, and in 1937 Raft was the third-highest-paid star in Hollywood (behind Cooper andWarner Baxter), earning $202,666.In May 1937, Raft reportedly tested for the role ofRhett Butlerfor the filmGone with the Wind.
Paramount announced Raft forMillions for DefensewithRay MillandandFrances Farmer, a film about theBarbary War, but the picture was not made.Instead, Raft appeared with Sylvia Sidney inFritz Lang's dramaYou and Me(1938), and was next reunited with Hathaway to star in another adventure story,Spawn of the North(1938), withHenry FondaandJohn Barrymoreplaying supporting roles.
Raft was announced for the filmsThe World ApplaudsandTwo-Time Loser.
Paramount wanted Raft to appear inSt. Louis Blues, but he refused and was replaced by Lloyd Nolan."Raft is Hollywood's authority on walk outs," wrote one columnist.He was suspended again, then allowed to do a comedy,The Lady's from Kentucky(1939). In January 1939, he refused to makeThe Magnificent Fraudand was again replaced by Nolan. Raft's contract was meant to last until February of that year, but Paramount ended it prematurely.
Raft received an offer from Warner Bros. to appear opposite James Cagney in a prison film titledEach Dawn I Die(1939); the film was a great success and Warner Bros. offered Raft a long-term contract in July 1939 at three films per year. He next appeared inI Stole a Million(1939) for Universal.
Hal Wallislater wrote that "Our association with Raft was a constant struggle from start to finish. Hypersensitive to public accusations of underworld connections, he flatly refused to play the heavy in any film... Time and time again we offered him gangster parts and time and time again he turned them down."
Raft was slated to appear in a remake ofThe Patent Leather Kid, one of his favorite films,and aJohn Dillingerfilm with Cagney, but both projects were canceled.He was assigned toInvisible Stripes(1939) withWilliam Holden,Jane BryanandHumphrey Bogart. Raft was borrowed byWalter Wangerto play a gangster inThe House Across the Bay(1940), which was a flop. He was cast inCity for Conquest(1940), but declined the role and was replaced byAnthony Quinn.
Raft was scheduled to appear inStar of Africaand declined a role inThe Dealer's Name Was George,but neither film was made.
InRaoul Walsh's trucking melodramaThey Drive by Night(1940), Raft played the lead, withAnn Sheridanas Raft'sleading lady, Humphrey Bogart in a supporting role as his brother, andIda Lupinoas a ravishing young beauty relentlessly pursuing Raft. In July 1940, Raft reprised his vaudeville act.
In August 1940, Raft declined the lead role inSouth of Suez(1940) and was replaced byGeorge Brent.He was again placed on suspension, but was intended to appear inThe Sea Wolf(1941) after the suspension period. However, Raft did not like the role and was suspended again,withJohn Garfieldtaking his place.MGMintended to borrow Raft to costar withNorma ShearerinThe World We Make,but the film was never made.
Raft also declined the leads inHigh SierraandThe Maltese Falcon(1941), and both roles were played by Bogart, catapulting Bogart's career. Raft instead madeManpower(1941) withEdward G. Robinsonand Marlene Dietrich. Robinson recalled Raft as "touchy, difficult and thoroughly impossible to play with."During filming, Raft and Robinson came to blows, with photographs splashed across newspapers.
Raft next rejected the lead role inAll Through the Night(1942), refusing to appear on the first day of filming because he did not want to play a heel,and Bogart once again replaced him. Raft was unable to accept Fox's offer to appear inTo the Shores of Tripoli(1942).
Raft wanted to appear in Universal's film version of the musicalBroadway(1942), but Jack Warner refused to loan him, so Raft spent eight months on suspension without pay. However, Warner Bros. could only maintain the suspension while making films that Raft declined, and the studio eventually ran out of such films, forcing them to resume paying him, and they eventually agreed to let him makeBroadway, playing a fictionalized version of himself as a young dancer named George Raft.
Raft said that he paid $27,500 of his own money so that Warner Bros. could borrowRobert Cummingsfrom Universal for another film.Raft was reported to have turned down Bogart's role inCasablanca(1942), although according to some Warner Bros. memos, this story isapocryphal. Raft was discussed as a possibility for the lead at one stage, as wasRonald Reagan, but was never offered it.
Raft was one of many Warner Bros. stars who appeared in United Artists'Stage Door Canteen(1943). He finally returned to filming at Warner Bros. with the espionage thrillerBackground to Danger(1943), a film intended to capitalize on the success ofCasablanca.In November 1942, Raft bought himself out of his Warner Bros. contract in order to appear inHell's Kitchen, a story of his life, on stage,but the play never materialized.
Raft's career as a freelance actor initially began well. He toured the U.S., England and Africa performing for the troops from January through March 1944.In March 1943, he was voted the sixth-most-popular star among African-American movie audiences;Varietysaid: "Raft has always been a prime favorite with the Negro filmgoer."His price as a guest star on radio was $1,500-$2,500.
Raft declined the lead role in Billy Wilder'sDouble Indemnity(1944). Wilder later said "We knew then that we'd have a good picture"and Raft later admitted that "I wasn't very intelligent then."Raft's first film after leaving Warner Bros. was the 1944 Universal musicalFollow the Boys(1944), which featured a number of Universal's stars in a guest spots and Raft in the lead. It achieved a healthy gross. 20th Century Fox hired him to a contract so that he could appear in Henry Hathaway's hit musicalNob Hill(1945), replacing Fred MacMurray.
Raft next appeared in directorEdwin Marin'sJohnny Angel(1945) for RKO,an unexpected hit that realized a profit of more than a million dollars.He next appeared in the popularWhistle Stop(1946), aUnited Artistsmelodrama that offered a good early role toAva Gardner.Mr. Ace(1946), withSylvia Sidneyand director Marin for producerBenedict Bogeaus, was a flop, but it did lead to a rather successful radio series starring Raft entitledThe Cases of Mr. Ace(1947).
In 1946, Raft earned a reported $108,000 for the year.He created his own production company, Star Films, withSam Bischoffas president, and planned to make three films in two years for $3.5 million.He and Marin returned to RKO to make the popular film noirNocturne(1946), produced byJoan Harrison.
Raft's next three films were all directed by Marin:Christmas Eve(1947) at United Artists for Bogeaus, a box-office disappointment,Intrigue(1947) at United Artists for Star Films andRace Street(1948) at RKO.
In June 1947, Raft received bad publicity when his friend, theLas VegasmobsterBugsy Siegel, was murdered.However, the following year,Hedda Hopperwrote that Raft was "going stronger than ever today" adding that "he has made millions, but hasn't got 'em due to a fondness for gambling and a loyalty to helping old friends."
Star Film's second film wasOutpost in Morocco(1949), a story of theFrench Foreign Legionpartly shot on location in Africa that was a box-office disappointment.Raft followed this with a series of thrillers:Johnny Allegro(1949), directed byTed Tetzlafffor Columbia,Red Light(1949), byRoy Del Ruthfor United Artists andA Dangerous Profession(1949) by Tetzlaff for RKO. None of these performed strongly at the box office, and Raft's standing as a box-office attraction had been damaged. The lengthy period of shooting forJohnny Allegrocaused him to miss the chance to star inThe Big Steal(1949), and he was replaced byRobert Mitchum.
Raft went to England to makeI'll Get You for This, which was filmed in 1950 but not released for another year. In the summer of 1951, Raft took the title role in the radio adventure seriesRocky Jordan, playing "the owner of a cabaret in Cairo whose life is steeped in intrigue." However, it only lasted a few months.
Raft appeared in twoLippert Pictureslow-budget thrillers,Escape Route(1952), shot in England withSally Gray, andLoan Shark(1952).
He starred in a syndicated television series titledI'm the Law(1953) that ran for one season.The Man from Cairo(1953), also for Lippert and shot in Europe and Africa, was Raft's last film with top billing. He resumed his dancing career, including an exhibition in Las Vegas. "As far as films are concerned, I'm dead," he said, "Nobody has been breaking their necks trying to hire me."He tried to persuade Darryl Zanuck to remakeThe Honor System. He said: "I want to play heavies again. I think I made a mistake going straight."
Raft took an excellent role as a mob boss supportingRobert TaylorinRogue Cop(1954), a hit for MGM. Also popular wasBlack Widow(1954), a film noir withGinger Rogers, butA Bullet for Joey(1955), which reunited Raft withEdward G. Robinson, was a flop.
Raft was one of many guest stars inAround the World in 80 Days(1956), and after the film's release, he said that "the telephone just seemed to stop ringing."He decided to seek other work.
In 1953 Raft appeared as NYPD detective Lt. George Kirby on 27 episodes ofI’m the Law, a police drama series. He spoofed his tough-guy image in a comedy sketch on the Feb. 20, 1955 episode ofThe Jack Benny Program. He appeared in 3 episodes ofThe Red Skelton Show, portraying gangster-types in comedy skits. In 1964 he performed a tango dance with the Hugh Lambert dancers to the song "La Cumparsita" on an episode ofThe Ed Sullivan Show. In 1967 he did an episode of theBatman (TV series),“Black Widow Strikes Again”. In 1971 he twice appeared onRowan & Martin’s Laugh-Incomedy show, and in one episode of the sitcomThe Chicago Teddy Bears, which was his last TV acting role.
In 1955, Raft was offered the chance to buy a 2% share in theFlamingo Hotelfor $65,000 if he would act as its entertainment director. Raft agreed, but was rejected for a gaming license because of his alleged associations with underworld figures. He appealed, arguing that although he knew many gangsters, "I never did business with any of them," and the decision was overturned in December 1955. Raft worked at the hotel negotiating its showbusiness deals.
Raft was hired bySanto Trafficante, Jr.to work as a greeter at theCapri CasinoinHavana, Cuba,at which he was also a part owner. However,Fidel Castrotook command of the country and closed all of its casinos, and Raft was in Havana on the night when the rebels arrived.
In July 1958, Raft was offered a role in his first film in four years,Some Like It Hot(1959), playing a gangster. Because ofMarilyn Monroe's tardiness on set, the job turned into 16 weeks of workbefore Raft was able to appear inJet Over the Atlantic(1959). The success ofSome Like It Hotdid not lead to a comeback, but Raft subsequently appeared as a casino owner in theRat PackmovieOcean's 11(1960), and he appeared in acameorole as himself inThe Ladies Man(1961). In Britain, he appeared inTwo Guys Abroad(1962), a film intended as apilotfor a television series, and back in Hollywood had small roles inFor Those Who Think YoungandThe Patsy(both 1964).
In 1965, Raft was convicted ofincome-tax evasion. He pleaded guilty to one count and was fined $2,500. The following year, he testified in front of a New York grand jury about organized-crime financial transactions.
Raft received an offer from Andy Neatrour to work as a host and part owner of a gambling club in London called theColony Club. He went to London in 1966,and while there, he took parts in several films, including a cameo role in the 1967James BondspoofCasino Royale, the French filmThe Upper Hand(1966) withJean GabinandFive Golden Dragons(1967). Although the gambling club was successful, after having returned from the U.S. in 1967 for a trip home, Raft  was banned from reentering the UK as an "undesirable."
Raft's later films includedSkidooandMadigan's Millions(both 1968). However, Raft became ill during the making ofMadigan's Millions, and he was replaced byCesar Romeroin the title role. None of Raft's scenes remain in the film.
In the early 1970s, Raft appeared in anAlka-Seltzertelevision commercial as a prison inmate, worked as a goodwill ambassador for theRivierain Las Vegasand sold his house to move into an apartment inCentury City.
Raft's final film appearances were inHammersmith Is Out(1972),Sextette(1978), in which he reunited withMae West, andThe Man with Bogart's Face(1980), a nod to 1940s detective films. He also cohosted an episode ofThe Mike Douglas Showin 1980.
Raft was a stockholder in the Parvin-Dohrmann Corporation, a hotel and casino company that owned theFlamingo Las Vegas.
WhenJames Cagneybecame president of theScreen Actors Guildin 1942 for a two-year term, he took a role in the guild's fight against theMafia, which had taken an active interest in the movie industry. Cagney's wife Billie once received a phone call telling her that Cagney was dead.Cagney alleged that, having failed to scare him, the mob sent ahitmanto kill him by dropping a heavy light on his head. On hearing about the rumor of the hit, George Raft allegedly made a call to have the hit cancelled.
Raft was interviewed by FBI agents in 1938 and 1953. The 1938 interview was about his knowledge ofLouis BuchalterandJacob Shapiro.
Raft was investigated for alleged tax evasion in 1942.
In 1944, he gave evidence whenBugsy Siegelwas on trial forbookmaking.
In 1946, Raft was sued by an attorney in Australia for assault.
In 1957,Mickey Cohensaid that he wanted Raft to play him in any film about his life because "the others would portray me as a vicious gangster, but George would not."
In 1967, Raft was denied entry into the UK, where he had been installed as casino director at theColony Club, because of his allegedunderworldassociations.
Raft married Grace Mulrooney (1902–1970) in 1923,long before his stardom. The pair separated soon thereafter, but the devoutly Catholic Mulrooney refused to grant a divorce, and Raft officially remained married to her and continued to support her until her death in 1970. A romantic figure in Hollywood, Raft had love affairs withHilda Ferguson,Betty Grable,Marlene Dietrich,Tallulah Bankhead,Carole LombardandMae West. He stated publicly that he wanted to marryNorma Shearer, with whom he had a long romance, but his wife's refusal to allow a divorce eventually caused Shearer to end the affair.
Raft died fromemphysemaat the age of 79 in Los Angeles on November 24, 1980. Raft left behind no will, and his estate consisted of only a $10,000 insurance policy and some furniture. In the last years of his life, he had lived on approximately $800 a month, a combination of social security and his pension.He was interred at theForest Lawn – Hollywood Hills Cemeteryin Los Angeles. Raft's personal effects and wardrobe were sold through a classified advertisement listing the lot for $800 inHemmings Motor Newsin the fall of 1981.
Raft has two stars on theHollywood Walk of Fame: for movies at 6150 Hollywood Boulevard and for television at 1500 Vine Street.
Ray Dantonplayed Raft inThe George Raft Story(1961), which co-starredJayne Mansfield. Raft excoriated the film upon its release due to inaccuracies.In the 1991 biographical movieBugsy, the character of George Raft was played byJoe Mantegna.
In season 2, episode 6 ofThe Sopranos(2000), Corrado "Junior" Soprano reveals to Tony that there was another uncle, the "feeble-minded" Ercole, who Junior describes as "handsome, like George Raft".
In theFrancis Ford Coppolafilm "The Cotton Club" (1984), the character of Dixie Dwyer appears to be loosely based on Raft: in the film, the characterOwney Madden(Bob Hoskins) sends Dwyer (Richard Gere) to LA to appear in films - the first of which is titled "Mob Boss".
Raft turned down roles in the following films: