Karen Hill
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Karen Hill was the wife, for 25 years, of mob turncoat Henry Hill. She was of Jewish origin and grew up in the Five Towns area of New York.
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[edit] Early Life
Karen Hill was born Karen Friedman to a strict Jewish family. She met her future husband, Henry Hill, at the Villa Capra, on Cedarhurst Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, while on double-date with her friend, Dana Shapiro, who was being courted by Paul Vario, Jr.. Paul Vario, Jr. included Hill to distract Karen, while Paul attempted to seduce Dana who was involved with another man. After an initial, faulty beginning, Karen and Henry formed a relationship.
[edit] Marriage to Henry Hill
Karen's mother disapproved of Henry Hill as a suitable husband because he was not Jewish. Regardless, Karen and Henry eloped to Maryland, where they were denied an immediate marriage license. The two then travelled to North Carolina, and were subsequently married on August 29th, 1965.
[edit] Hardship & Divorce
There was infidelity from both parties. Henry frequently saw other women, and Karen had an affair with Paul Vario, Henry's mafia mentor. Henry and Karen raised two children, Gregg and Gina, until their divorce in 1989.
[edit] Movie Portrayal
The events of Karen Hill's life were portrayed in the 1990 film GoodFellas, in which she was played by actress Lorraine Bracco.
[edit] Trivia
Karen worked as a dental hygienist in Brooklyn.
[edit] External Sources
- Wiseguy, Pillegi, Nicholas, 1985
- On the Run: A Mafia Childhood, Hill, Greg & Hill, Gina, 2004
- Gangsters & GoodFellas, Russo, Gus, 2004
