James Riddle Hoffa (February 14, 1913- disappeared July 30, 1975, declared dead July 30, 1982) was an American union leader who led the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) from 1957 to 1971.
After being imprisoned for jury tampering, and bribery, among other federal crimes, he later resigned as president of the union after a deal with President Nixon. He later disappeared on July 30, 1975, becoming a well-known case of Stock Unsolved Mystery. It is believed that he was killed by the mob either to silence him or prevent him from regaining control of the Teamsters, as his stand-in was more malleable to their wishes than Hoffa had been.
Media
Film
- Bruce Almighty: Bruce, using his new godly powers, manufactures the discovery of Hoffa's body so that he can report the news of it.
- Hoffa: Biopic where he is portrayed by Jack Nicholson.
- The Irishman: Portrayed by Al Pacino, where he is assassinated by Frank Sheeran.
Live-Action Television
- Robert Kennedy And His Times: Portrayed by Trey Wilson.
- ''D.C. Follies": One episode has his disappearance referenced twice, once in a song lyric prior to the cold open by the four news reporters frequently seen at the barnote ; the other when Vice-President George H. W. Bush — who had spent most of the episode complaining about no one paying attention to him before falling into a manhole - begins freaking out that he'll be dead if he's not found soon, then holds a skull which Bush recognizes as Hoffa's before dropping it in a panic.
- MythBusters examined a popular rumor that Jimmy Hoffa was buried under Giants Stadium. Using ground-penetrating radar, the MythBusters searched for any kind of disturbance in the concrete that would indicate a human body was once buried there. No trace was found, and the myth was declared Busted.note
Literature
- American Tabloid: Hoffa is an overarching character of the book as Agent Ward Littell rises through his ranks. He continues to play a big role in the novel's sequel The Cold Six Thousand.
Video Games
- Sam & Max: Freelance Police: Voiced by Roger L. Jackson in the episode "Moai Better Blues". Along with other Stock Unsolved Mysteries people, he has ended up as a baby on Easter Island due to the nearby Fountain of Youth.
