Charles Brandt

Charles Brandt (March 13, 1942 – October 22, 2024) was a prominent American investigator, lawyer, writer, and speaker, best known for his true crime work, particularly the memoir I Heard You Paint Houses, which details the life of hitman Frank Sheeran and the disappearance of Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa. This book served as the basis for Martin Scorsese's acclaimed 2019 film The Irishman.

Early Life and Education

Born in Staten Island, New York City, Brandt grew up in Queens. He attended Stuyvesant High School and later graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in English. He financed his law studies at Brooklyn Law School by working as a welfare investigator in East Harlem, a role that exposed him to organized crime figures.14

Legal Career

Brandt began his legal career in 1969 as a homicide prosecutor in Delaware and eventually became Chief Deputy Attorney General. In 1976, he transitioned to private practice, focusing on medical malpractice and personal injury cases. Throughout his career, he earned recognition as one of America's best lawyers and served as president of both the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association and the Delaware chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.134

Writing Career

His first book, The Right to Remain Silent, was published in 1988. However, it was I Heard You Paint Houses, published in 2004, that brought him significant acclaim. The book was based on extensive interviews with Sheeran and became a bestseller, published in over fourteen countries. Brandt later wrote other works, including Suppressing the Truth in Dallas, which explores conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of John F. Kennedy.124

Personal Life

Brandt lived in Lewes, Delaware, and Sun Valley, Idaho, with his wife Nancy. He had three grown children and four grandchildren at the time of his passing.13

In summary, Charles Brandt's multifaceted career as a lawyer and author left a lasting impact on true crime literature and legal practice in America.