Joe Profaci (1896 - 1962) was a New York Mafia boss who was the head of the Columbo Family for over three decades.

He was reportedly despised by many of his underlings because he implimented a 'slush' fund, whereby members of the Columbo Family had to give him $25 a month that would supposedly go towards supporting mobster's families should the mobster go to prison. Those who didn't pay were usually murdered, as was anyone who disagreed with Profaci on any other matters. However, Profaci simply added it to the other huge amounts of money obtained through his criminal enterprise. He lived a life of luxury; at the height of his power, Profaci had a home set in a 328 acre (1.3 km²) estate with it's own private airport.

Like many mobsters, Profaci had many legitimate businesses, such as importing olive oil, which lead to him being referred to as the 'Olive Oil King'. However, most of his wealth was through traditional Mafia enterprises of protection rackets and extortion. Most of the Columbo Family's activities were based in Brooklyn.

Profaci was a devout Catholic who donated a great deal to Catholic charities. Less admirably, however, he once had two thieves tortured to death for stealing from a local church.

The Columbo Family underwent a civil-war in 1960 when a trio of siblings from amongst it's members - 'Crazy' Joe Gallo and his two brothers - attempted to take it over with the help of other mobsters disenchanted with Profaci's rule. However, Profaci was still in power when he died of cancer two-years later.