Boardwalk Empire Stars in Cast of American Hustle

Boardwalk Empire actors Jack Huston and Shea Whigham both have roles in “American Hustle,” the film “loosely based” on the FBI’s Abscam sting operation in the late 1970s and early 80s. Directed by David O. Russell, the film stars Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence.

Jack Huston, who played the role of sniper Richard Harrow in Boardwalk Empire for 4 seasons, plays a character named Pete Musante in “American Hustle.” Shea Whigham plays Eli Thompson, brother of Atlantic City kingpin, Nucky Thompson, in Boardwalk Empire. In “Hustle,” his character’s name is Carl Elway.

Some events in the film take place not too far from Atlantic City — in Camden, New Jersey. Jeremy Renner’s character is Mayor Carmine Polito, based upon the real-life mayor of Camden, Angelo Errichetti, who was involved in Abscam. Errichetti died in Ventnor City, a lot closer to Atlantic City than Camden, in May 2013.