Is Popeye the Sailor Man, the cartoon character, based on a real person?
Popeye the Sailor Man is a cartoon fictional character, created by Elzie Crisler Segar. He first appeared in comic strips and theatrical and television animated cartoons in 1929. He initially appeared in the daily King Features comic strip Thimble Theatre. Popeye became the strip's title in later years.
Segar drew his inspiration for Popeye the Sailor from a man living in his hometown of Chester, Illinois. The individual was a one-eyed man named Frank 'Rocky' Fiegal.
Fiegel was something of a local legend when Segar was growing up. He was known for getting into fights and taking on several opponents at the same time.
More Info:
popeye.wikia.com
What are your thoughts on this subject?
61 Comments
Armadillo
tonyholtz, I learn something new on a daily basis. I didn't know these particular details.
tonyholtz
drealestatelady, knew that maybe or old that, lol
janpayton
More trivia!
drealestatelady
I never new that.
Christopher Clark
I used to love watching the Popeyes the sailor man cartoons when I was a kid. I never knew he was from an actual person!
b rozeebud
how do i remove the quizz club screensaver?...it stops me from returning to previous page..i have to keep clicking back button over and over i want it removed thanks
BPlunkettTurner
You people really need to study your comics!
kevro
Oh for gosh sakes. Citizen Kane was based on real life William Randolph Hearst. Give it a rest voyer
thevoyers
The very first sentence in your description is the correct answer!
Markus Csak
Carl Belken, I've been there, I love, LOVE the history of your town and think it's awesome that a community beloves memories such as Festus and Popeye. Both inspirational characters and the like. Thank you for sharing. In Oxford, MI we still celebrate The first Lone Ranger Brace Beemen. He was the voice of the Lone Ranger in Radio, but the love for him, and for his town live on as he was the inspiration for many Michiganders to strive for more.
Carl Belken
I grew up just West of Chester Il. Many towns the size of Chester have characters like Rocky Fiegal. Ken Curtis who played Festus on the tv show Gunsmoke patterned his character after a man who was constantly in his dad's jail for drinking and fighting.
As you approach Chester from the West you'll see a statue of Popeye at the city limits.
Ruth Cost
johnpburkhardt, should have figured that.. the more outlandish it's true.
Ruth Cost
Never knew this, figured "how could there possibly be a man like this" I was thinking more on the spinach thing, not the fight thing.. guess they were ere connected, but did the spinach always lead to a fight? Thought just strength was the reason. Now I know and will never forget..
tbear
I knew that! Lived there for over forty years! Chester,Il. has an annual Popeye picnic the weekend after Labor day! About 49 miles south of St.Louis, Mo.
Don Racette
Irka Venus Pietkicki I I'm Popeye the sailor man..I live in a garbage can.