Writer Jimmy Breslin (1928-2017)

[jakeem]

The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and columnist Jimmy Breslin, who became as much of a celebrity in New York City as the people he covered, has died at the age of 88. He had been battling pneumonia.

 

Breslin was a formidable presence at the New York Daily News and other newspapers for decades, and he sometimes became a newsmaker himself. In 1977, the notorious "Summer of Sam" serial killer -- later apprehended and identified as postal worker David Berkowitz -- wrote letters to the columnist at the newspaper.

 

Breslin received the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 1986 for "columns which consistently champion ordinary citizens."

 

Breslin

 

The veteran newspaperman also was a best-selling author. His 1969 novel "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight" became a 1971 screen comedy starring Jerry Orbach, Leigh Taylor-Young, Jo Van Fleet, Lionel Stander and a young Robert De Niro.

 

 

 

Breslin appeared as himself in Spike Lee's "Summer of Sam," a 1999 re-creation of the manhunt for the "Son of Sam" serial killer in New York City. 

 

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/mar/19/jimmy-breslin-author-columnist-dies

[Sepiatone]

That is sad.  Great writer.  I would sometimes wonder if he was any relation to young actress ABIGALE BRESLIN, but I don't think so.

 

With writers like him now leaving the scene, the "dumbing down" of America continues.

 

 

Sepiatone

[GordonCole]

That guy could write. He was the Somerset Maugham of the streets. He will be missed.

 

[jameselliot]

That guy could write. He was the Somerset Maugham of the streets. He will be missed.

 

My favorite columnist. And beer spokesman. "it's not just beer. It's good drinkin' beer."