Dwight David “The General” Manfredi is the main character in the series Tulsa King. He is a 75-year-old mobster who spent 25 years in prison for murder. After his release, instead of being welcomed back to New York, he is sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma, by his mafia boss to start a new crime operation. Determined to rebuild his power, Dwight creates his own crime family in Tulsa and begins a new chapter in his life as a mob boss.

Trivia/Facts

• Dwight Manfredi was born in Brooklyn, New York, in July 1947. He grew up in an Italian immigrant family with his father working as a barber and his mother as a homemaker. His father hoped Dwight would follow in his footsteps as a barber, but Dwight had other plans. At the age of 17, he decided to pursue a career as a gangster instead of a barber.
• Dwight joined the Cosa Nostra, the Sicilian mafia, and became part of the Invernizzi crime family. Over the years, he worked his way up the ranks, earning respect and power within the family. He eventually became a high-ranking mafia capo under the family boss, Pete “The Rock” Invernizzi. His dedication to the mafia and its code of loyalty helped him establish a reputation as a ruthless and loyal mobster.
• Dwight married a woman named Marie, and they had a daughter, Cristina, in 1990. His family life was short-lived, as Dwight’s criminal activities took precedence over his personal life. In 1997, Dwight was convicted of manslaughter for killing Richard McLeevy, a man he liked but had to eliminate on mafia orders. Shortly after his imprisonment, his wife left him, and Dwight distanced himself from his daughter, believing it was too painful for her to visit him in prison.

Tulsa King (2022)

• Dwight was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his crimes. During his time in prison, he remained loyal to the mafia and refused to cooperate with authorities, even when offered reduced sentences. His loyalty made him a target within the mafia, leading to an assassination attempt on him in prison. Dwight survived the attack, killing his would-be assassin in self-defense, and continued serving his sentence in isolation.
• During his 25 years in prison, Dwight spent his time reading literature and writing poetry to keep his mind sharp. He often reflected on the choices he made and whether his life as a gangster was worth the price he paid. He concluded that his life of crime had cost him far too much, but he remained committed to his mafia code. Despite these reflections, he refused to betray the mafia, staying loyal even to the end of his sentence.
• After serving 25 years, Dwight was released from federal prison in Pennsylvania. He returned to New York City but found the world had changed dramatically during his time behind bars. The city had new technology, buildings, and ways of life, which made him feel out of place. He soon learned that the mafia he had served for decades no longer had a place for him in New York.

Tulsa King (2022)

• Upon his release, Dwight demanded compensation for his loyalty from his mafia boss, Pete Invernizzi. Instead of receiving what he felt was his due, he was sent to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to start a new mafia operation there. Dwight was deeply dissatisfied, feeling exiled rather than rewarded for his years of loyalty. Despite his frustration, he accepted the assignment and relocated to Tulsa to start a new chapter of his life as a mobster.
• In Tulsa, Dwight established his own crime family, The Manfredi Crime Family, and started building a new criminal empire. Though he was far from his roots in New York, he used his experience and connections to make his mark in the city. Despite his age, Dwight continued to command respect and authority in the world of organized crime. His journey in Tulsa marked the beginning of a new era for Dwight as he sought to regain the power and status he once held in New York.

Tulsa King (2022)

Dwight Manfredi’s Relationship with Other Characters

• Pete “The Rock” Invernizzi: Pete is Dwight’s mafia boss, but their relationship becomes strained after Dwight’s 25-year prison sentence. Pete sends Dwight to Tulsa instead of rewarding him, making Dwight feel betrayed.
• Armand Truisi: Armand is a mafia member who was ordered by Pete to arrange an assassination attempt on Dwight while he was in prison. Dwight survives the attack, deepening the tension between them.
• Marie Manfredi: Marie is Dwight’s ex-wife. She leaves him after his imprisonment, and they have little contact afterward.
• Cristina Manfredi: Cristina is Dwight’s daughter. Their relationship suffers when Dwight asks her to stop visiting him in prison, as it’s too hard for him to see her.
  Mafia Family Members: Dwight’s relationship with the mafia members is built on loyalty and respect, but after his prison term, he feels alienated and betrayed by many of them.