the rank of chief of police. He also develops a political career, from congressman, lieutenant governor and a candidate for governor. However, Klein plans to make Exley confess all his deals he has ever cut. In the L.A. Confidential film adaptation, he is portrayed by Guy Pearce and in the 2003 television pilot of L.A. Confidential, he is portrayed by David Conrad. Meyer Harris "Mickey" Cohen Appearances: The Big Nowhere, L.A. Confidential, White Jazz, Perfidia Mickey Cohen was a real-life gangster active in Los Angeles, but his exploits in Ellroy's novels are mostly fictional. Cohen has a large supporting role in "The Big Nowhere" which includes his relations with Buzz Meeks, who was one of the protagonists of "The Big Nowhere." He is portrayed briefly by Paul Guilfoyle in the L.A. Confidential film adaptation. Wendell A. "Bud" White Appearance: L.A. Confidential Bud White was one of the major protagonists in L.A. Confidential. In the book he begins as an incredibly violent cop, who takes out his anger on wife beaters. This is shown to be because of his violent father who killed his mother in a drunken rage. Because of his quick temper and brutality Bud became the most feared cop on the force with nobody wishing to feel the brunt of his anger. However, he is shown to be sensitive with women and goes out of his way to help them. This is shown when he becomes obsessed with tracking down a serial killer targeting young prostitutes. During the course of the book Bud has a long-standing feud with Ed Exley, due to Exley informing the D.A. of Bud's involvement in the Bloody Christmas fiasco. This almost makes Bud lose his job until Dudley Smith recruits him into the homicide division, which Dudley operates. However, Bud's partner Dick Stensland is left as a scapegoat for the investigative D.A. and is imprisoned; this only fuels Bud's vendetta against Exley. Dudley recruited Bud because of his brutal strength and uses him as an enforcer. However, when it becomes clear that Dudley is corrupt and is using him for his own nefarious schemes, Bud drops his conflict with Exley and joins forces with him and Jack Vincennes to take Dudley Smith down. However, during the investigation he is gravely wounded and is forced to retire. Before he leaves, the newly promoted Ed Exley promises him that he won't let Dudley get away