Michael Taccetta, also known as "Mike T," was born in the poverty stricken neighborhood of Vailsburg, Newark, New Jersey on September 16, 1947. This was the same neighborhood as the Gambino crime family's capo Joseph Paterno, who Taccetta reportedly worked for in his early teens. Taccetta is the son of Angelo Taccetta, a self-employed building materials supplier, who law enforcement agencies reputed was a "made man" in the Lucchese crime family. Taccetta stands at 5'7" weighs close to 300 pounds with a wrestler's build with black hair and brown eyes. Michael was first arrested for assault at the age of twelve and was sent to Boys Town, a Catholic youth facility. As a youth, he pitched pennies and played cards on on the streets. He lived in Florham Park, New Jersey before his incarceration.