Nicholas Pileggi is an American writer and screenwriter whose nonfiction reporting and books about organized crime have been adapted into influential films. He began his career as a journalist and later turned detailed, reported narratives into source material for major motion pictures. He is widely credited with bringing rigorous reporting and a storyteller's eye to true-crime subjects that shaped late-20th-century portrayals of the American mafia. See more about his role as an author.

Major works and adaptations

Pileggi's best-known book, Wiseguy, was the basis for the film Goodfellas; the movie adaptation is often referenced simply as Goodfellas. He co-wrote the screenplay for that film with director Martin Scorsese, and the collaboration led to further partnerships on projects that investigate crime, power and American institutions. He also wrote the book that inspired the film Casino and later served in production and advisory roles on contemporary projects, including a production credit for the 2019 Netflix film Netflix release The Irishman.

Career background and approach

Before publishing books, Pileggi worked in journalism, covering crime and human-interest stories in New York. His method combines long-form reporting, interviews with inmates and law-enforcement figures, and careful reconstruction of events. That approach gives his nonfiction narratives the texture of novelistic storytelling while remaining grounded in documented reporting. His collaboration with filmmakers translated that texture into screenplays that balance character detail with procedural context.

Selected works

  • Wiseguy (book) — source for the film Goodfellas
  • Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas (book) — adapted for the film Casino
  • Screenplays and production credits — including work on films and consulting roles

Impact, awards and distinctions

Pileggi's investigations influenced how journalists and filmmakers cover organized crime, emphasizing primary interviews and narrative clarity. His writing and screenplays received industry recognition; he won a BAFTA Award for his work on the Goodfellas screenplay. His collaborations with prominent directors helped bring nonfiction crime reporting into mainstream cinematic storytelling.

Personal life

Nicholas Pileggi was born in New York City, New York, on February 22, 1933. He was married to writer and filmmaker Nora Ephron from 1987 until her death in 2012. Beyond his books and films, he has remained a figure associated with meticulous crime reporting and durable collaborations in American cinema.