Jake LaMotta

**Jake LaMotta** is the main character of Martin Scorsese's 1980 Autobiography, Raging Bull. He was a professional middleweight boxer from 1941 to 1951. He is based off of the real Jake LaMotta

## Before his world middleweight championship

In 1941, Jake fought Jimmy Reeves, losing a highly controversial split decision to Reeves, which caused an angry crowd to explode in riots. Back in the Bronx, New York, he gets angry at his wife for not cooking his steak properly. Jake's younger brother and manager, Joey LaMotta, arrives at Jake's apartment. Jake complains to Joey about his "small hands" and that he'll never fight Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Joe Louis. Jake then tells Joey to hit him in the face. Joey refuses, but then proceeds to do so until Jake's cuts open. Sometime after, Jake met a girl named Vickie at a swimming pool. Joey eventually introduces Vickie to Jake, and Jake begins dating Vickie. In 1943, Jake fought Sugar Ray Robinson twice. Jake won the 1st fight but in the 2nd fight, the judges ruled in favor of Sugar Ray. Joey angrily states that Sugar Ray only won because he's going into the army

Between 1944 and 1947, Jake has won several fights against opponents. Jake marries Vickie by 1945, and Jake even comes to Joey's wedding when Joey was married to his lover, Lenore

In 1947, Jake is angry at Joey for organizing a fight between him and Tony Janiro. Joey believes Jake could win the fight and Vickie agrees but describes Janiro as "Good Looking" which outrages Jake. Jake takes Vickie to the Copacabana nightclub. Sometime after, Jake brutally defeats Janiro during their fight in the ring, eventually being victorious.

At one point, Jake goes to Training Camp. Upon returning, Jake fights Billy Fox, whom he calls a "bum". Jake purposely loses to Billy Fox, but as it turns out, the fight was actually rigged due to Jake's performance being a farce, too obvious. Feeling humiliated, Jake cries in a room after the fight. Jake is eventually suspended from the ring for 2 years

Upon returning home, Joey is disappointed in Jake for losing the fight, and Jake suggests Fox was a '"bum"

## World Middleweight Championship Title

By 1949, Jake returns to the ring, eventually winning the World Middleweight Championship Title against Marcel Cerdan

In 1950, Jake asks Joey about the moment when Joey beat up his friend, Salvy, at the Copacabana Nightclub. Jake then asks if Salvy had sex with Vickie, before directly asking if Joey had sex with Vickie. Joey does not answer and leaves. Jake confronts Vickie, and soon the confrontation turns to a violent quarrel. Vickie hides in the bathroom, causing Jake to break down the door. Vickie is pushed to sarcastically state that she had sex with the entire neighborhood, including Joey. Jake then goes over to Joey's house and beats him up in front of his children, but knocking Vickie out unconscious. Later, Vickie is about leave Jake but Jake convinces Vickie to stay. Meanwhile, Jake is estranged from his brother Joey. After defending his championship against Laurent Dauthuille, Jake calls Joey, but Joey assumes Salvy is on the other side, insults him, and hangs up.

In 1951, Jake fought Suger Ray Robinson for the 6th and final time. Sugar Ray won the fight, eventually winning the World Middleweight Championship Title. After the fight, Jake ends his boxing career

## Post Boxing

In 1956, Jake and his family have moved to Miami. Jake has now bought a nightclub, where he peforms stand up comedy. A 14 year old girl appears in Jake's nightclub, and Jake, presuming she's 21 years old, romantically kisses her. Afterwards, Vickie arrives in her car near the nightclub and tells Jake she wants a divorce that she's getting custody of their kids, before driving away

At night, some men appear at Jake's bedroom and inform him about the 14 year old girl at his nightclub. Jake states that the girl does not look 14 years old. The next morning, Jake arrives at Vickie's home to get his middleweight championship belt. He tries to dismantle it with a hammer, but Vickie exclaims that he would wake her kids up. The plates suddenly fall down from the shelf, and then Jake scolds Vickie for not placing the plates properly, before Vickie demands Jake to leave. Jake attempts the sell the jewels from the belt, but to avail.

By 1957, Jake goes to jail and is thrown into solitary confinement. Jake slams his fists into the wall and screams in anger, questing his misfortune, before going into an emotional breakdown, crying and exclaiming "I'm not an animal".

By 1958, Jake has returned to New York and he continues his stand up comedy career. He now has a new girlfriend named Emma. Jake then encounters his estranged brother, Joey, leaving a liquor store. Jake attempts to reconcile with Joey but Joey does not want to be around him. Jake hugs Joey, and Joey eventually forgives him, but is still elusive

By 1964, Jake is now an overweight stand up comedian. While preparing to go on stage, Jake recites "I coulda been a contender" from the 1954 movie On The Waterfront. A man informs Jake that he will appear shortly and that it is crowded. Jake then shadowboxes, and chants "I'm the boss!"