Gotti rose through the ranks of the Gambino family, becoming a made man in the early 1970s. He quickly gained a reputation for his ruthless and cunning nature, earning the nickname "The Teflon Don" due to his ability to avoid conviction for his numerous crimes.

Gotti became the boss of the Gambino family in 1986, after the death of his predecessor, Paul Castellano. He quickly consolidated his power and eliminated potential rivals, earning the respect and fear of his fellow mobsters.

Gotti's reign as boss was marked by a series of high-profile crimes, including the murder of Castellano, the attempted murder of a rival mob boss, and the extortion of businesses and individuals. He was also accused of ordering the murder of several people who had crossed him or threatened his power.