American Gangster was a 2007 crime drama directed by Ridley Scott, starring Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas and Russell Crowe as Detective Richie Roberts. The film chronicles Lucas’ rise to power as a drug kingpin in 1970s Harlem and Roberts' determined investigation to bring him down. Reportedly shot across nearly 180 locations in New York City -- including all five boroughs -- American Gangster captures the gritty atmosphere of early 1970s Harlem through extensive location scouting, guerilla-style cinematography, and period-appropriate set and costume design.
Long Island played a key role in the production, offering striking backdrops for two pivotal settings. Old Westbury Gardens, with its 160-acre grounds and grand 1906 mansion, was used to portray the estate of Italian mobster Dominic Cattano, where Lucas negotiates his national distribution deal.
Additionally, the historic Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale served as the stand‑in for Madison Square Garden during the re‑creation of the Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier title fight. The Coliseum was dressed with thousands of extras in period costumes (including celebrity look-alikes) to simulate a packed 1970s arena. More on filming done at the Coliseum can be found within other tabs of this LibGuide, including Music & Lyrics, Pink Floyd, Metallica, and WWE & Wrestling.
Researched by Darren Paltrowitz on July 17, 2025. Updated on October 17, 2025.