Eli Thompson

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Lore & Background

Eli Thompson began his law enforcement career as a police officer before becoming deputy to Sheriff Victor Sickles in Tabor Heights. He eventually secured the position of full-time Sheriff of Tabor Heights while Nucky ruled Atlantic City. When Nucky took over the Commodore's operations, Eli was promoted to Sheriff of Atlantic City, appointing Raymond Halloran as his deputy. Deeply embedded in Nucky's political machine, he worked alongside figures like Paddy Ryan, Al Boyd, and Jim Neary. His duties often blurred the lines between justice and crime; he investigated the Hammonton hijacking perpetrated by Jimmy Darmody and Al Capone, only to be ordered by Nucky to assassinate Hans Schroeder for killing his wife's unborn child. Eli carried out this murder with Deputy Halloran, beating Hans to death and dumping the body in the river where it was later found as the 'catch of the day'.

In Their Own Story

The tension between the brothers escalated when Eli felt overshadowed by Nucky's power. After Nucky had their childhood home burned down following Ethan Thompson's stroke, Eli realized he remained in his brother's shadow. When Warren G. Harding was elected President and Edward L. Bader became Mayor, Nucky re-elected Eli as Sheriff but replaced him with Halloran initially, prompting Eli to compare himself to 'Hardeen to Nucky's Harry Houdini.' Insulted by Nucky's assertion that he would never be remembered as much, Eli secretly conspired with Jimmy Darmody, Gillian Darmody, Mickey Doyle, and the Commodore to overthrow Nucky. This insurrection involved working against his brother while maintaining his public role, a dangerous double game that saw him injured during a robbery by the D'Alessio Brothers at Lolly Steinmann's casino. His attempts to carve out an independent path led to betrayal and violence, marking his descent from trusted enforcer to desperate conspirator.

Reader's Guide

Eli Thompson's journey is one of tragic ambition within the Atlantic City machine. Born in 1877, he married June in 1897, and they raised nine children: William, Michael, Patrick, Brian, Dermott, Nora, Kathleen, Ann, and Edith. His professional rise was rapid; after Nucky intervened to stop their father Ethan's abuse in 1897, Eli eventually joined the police force. He served under Sheriff Sickles before becoming Sheriff of Atlantic City, a role he used to protect Nucky's interests while managing figures like Chalky White and Jimmy Darmody. However, his loyalty fractured when he felt unappreciated. Following the D'Alessio Brothers' attack that left him injured, Eli began a conspiracy to bring Nucky down as the 'King of Atlantic City.' He aligned with former allies like the Commodore and Jimmy Darmody, turning against the very machine he helped build. His story illustrates how family bonds can be severed by the corrosive nature of power and the desire for recognition.

Did You Know?

• Eli Thompson is based on Alfred 'Alf' Johnson, the real-life brother of Enoch L. Johnson and Sheriff of Atlantic City.
• Eli and June had nine children together: William, Michael, Patrick, Brian, Dermott, Nora, Kathleen, Ann, and Edith.
• In 1884, Eli and Nucky were locked out of their home by their parents and stayed at the Corner Hotel before Sheriff Peter Lindsay intervened.
• Eli compared himself to 'Hardeen' while viewing his brother Nucky as 'Harry Houdini' due to his feeling of being overshadowed.
• Young versions of Eli in Season 5 flashbacks are portrayed by Ryan Dinning and Oakes Fegley.

Character Origins and Real-Life Inspiration

Elias 'Eli' Thompson is a fictional character in HBO's Boardwalk Empire, portrayed by Shea Whigham, with Ryan Dinning and Oakes Fegley playing younger versions in Season 5 flashbacks. He is the younger brother of Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi), who is based on Enoch L. Johnson. Eli himself is based on Alfred 'Alf' Johnson, the real-life Sheriff of Atlantic City and Enoch's brother. Born in 1877 to Ethan and Elenore Thompson, he grew up in a poor home with his older brother Nucky and younger sister Susan. Although Eli believed he had a great relationship with his family, he was unaware that his father Ethan was an abusive alcoholic who beat Elenore and Nucky when drunk.

Family Trauma and Formative Years

In 1884, young Eli asked Nucky to fix his slingshot before witnessing their father's violence. That same year, Susan died of tuberculosis, leaving the family to bury her while Ethan scoffed at giving a proper burial. Later that summer, after being locked out by their parents, Eli and Nucky played on the beach before staying at the Corner Hotel. Sheriff Peter Lindsay found them, shared dinner with his family, and returned them home. Years later, in 1897, Eli dated June and mentioned to Nucky they had sex at a garden holiday place. When Ethan beat Elenore again, Nucky confronted him, leading to a fight where Ethan handed Nucky a shotgun before fleeing. After Elenore died in 1903, Eli and Nucky mourned together as they began their law enforcement careers.

Rise Through Law Enforcement

Eli became a police officer and then deputy sheriff under Victor Sickles in Tabor Heights, eventually becoming full-time Sheriff of Tabor Heights while Nucky served as Sheriff of Atlantic City. After Nucky took over the Commodore's operations, Eli was appointed Sheriff of Atlantic City with Raymond Halloran as his deputy. He joined the political machine alongside Paddy Ryan, George O'Neill, Al Boyd, and others. In Season One, he investigated the Hammonton hijacking by Jimmy Darmody and Al Capone. Ordered to kill Hans Schroeder for killing Margaret's unborn baby, Eli and Halloran beat Hans to death and dumped his body in the river. He later interrogated Lucky Luciano alongside Nucky after Luciano began a relationship with Gillian Darmody.

Personal Life and Political Integration

Eli married June in 1897, and they had nine children: William, Michael, Patrick, Brian, Dermott, Nora, Kathleen, Ann, and Edith. He welcomed James 'Jimmy' Darmody home from World War I in December 1919, reuniting him with his mother Gillian and wife Angela. Eli also met Nucky's mistress Lucy Danziger, bootlegger Mickey Doyle, and butler Eddie Kessler. During Prohibition, he celebrated at Babette's Supper Club. However, tensions rose when Ethan suffered a stroke and moved into Eli's home while their childhood house was burned down by Nucky. After being injured by the D'Alessio Brothers at Lolly Steinmann's casino, Eli felt overshadowed by Nucky, who claimed Eli would never be remembered as much. This led Eli to conspire with Jimmy, Gillian, Mickey Doyle, and the Commodore to overthrow Nucky.