Jimmy Breslin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jimmy Breslin
Breslin in c. 1970
Born	James Earle Breslin (1928-10-17)October 17, 1928 New York City, U.S.
Died	March 19, 2017(2017-03-19) (aged 88) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Reporter columnist novelist screenwriter playwright actor
Notable awards	George Polk Award Pulitzer Prize
Spouse	Rosemary Dattalico ​ ​ (m. 1954; died 1981)​ Ronnie Eldridge ​ ​ (m. 1982)​
Children	6
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James Earle Breslin (born October 17, 1928 – died March 19, 2017) was an American journalist and writer. He was famous for his newspaper columns, especially in the New York Daily News. He wrote many books and articles.

Breslin was known for writing about everyday people in New York City. He often shared their stories and showed how big events affected them. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1986 for his columns that supported ordinary citizens.

Early Life and Education

James Earle Breslin was born on October 17, 1928, in Jamaica, Queens, New York. His family was Irish Catholic. His father, James Earl Breslin, was a piano player who left the family when Jimmy was young.

Jimmy and his sister, Deirdre, were raised by their mother, Frances. She was a high school teacher and worked for the New York City Welfare Department during the Great Depression in the United States. Breslin went to Long Island University from 1948 to 1950 but did not finish his degree.

Journalism Career

Breslin started his career in the 1940s as a copy boy for the Long Island Press. After college, he became a columnist. He wrote for many newspapers, including the New York Herald Tribune, the Daily News, and Newsday.

One of his most famous columns was about the man who dug President John F. Kennedy's grave. This showed Breslin's unique style of focusing on how important events affected regular people.

In 1969, Breslin tried to get elected as president of the New York City Council. He ran with writer Norman Mailer, who wanted to be mayor. They wanted New York City to become its own state, separate from New York State. They did not win the election.

A campaign button from Mailer and Breslin's election campaign in 1969.

Breslin often met with different kinds of people for his stories, including some involved in crime. In 1970, he was attacked and hurt by someone who didn't like an article he had written. He survived the attack without lasting injuries.

In 1977, during the time of the "Son of Sam" crimes in New York City, the person responsible, David Berkowitz, sent letters to Breslin. Breslin published parts of these letters in the Daily News. Later, these letters were used in the film Summer of Sam, where Breslin played himself.

Breslin received the George Polk Award for Metropolitan Reporting in 1985. In 1986, he won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary, which is a very important award for journalists.

In 1986, Breslin wrote about Donald Manes, a politician in Queens. Breslin showed that Manes was involved in a dishonest money deal.

Breslin also had his own TV show called Jimmy Breslin's People. On the show, he interviewed people from New York City. However, the show did not last long because many TV stations did not air it at the planned time.

In 1991, while reporting on the Crown Heights riot, Breslin was attacked and robbed by a group of young people.

Before he passed away, Breslin and fellow journalist Pete Hamill were interviewed for a documentary about their careers called Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists.

Family Life

Breslin was married twice. His first wife, Rosemary Dattolico, passed away in 1981. They had six children together: Kevin, James, Patrick, Christopher, Rosemary, and Kelly. Sadly, his daughter Rosemary died in 2004 from a rare blood disease, and his daughter Kelly passed away in 2009.

From 1982 until his death, Breslin was married to Ronnie Eldridge, who was a member of the New York City Council.

Later Years and Death

Jimmy Breslin died on March 19, 2017, at his home in Manhattan. He was 88 years old and passed away from pneumonia.

Film and Books

Breslin appeared in a few films, sometimes playing himself. He also wrote many books, including novels and non-fiction works.

Filmography

Selected Books

• 1962 Sunny Jim: The life of America's most beloved horseman, James Fitzsimmons
• 1963 Can't Anybody Here Play This Game?
• 1969 The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight
• 1973 World without End, Amen
• 1976 How the Good Guys Finally Won
• 1978 .44
• 1986 Table Money
• 1991 Damon Runyon: A Life
• 1997 I Want to Thank My Brain for Remembering Me: A Memoir
• 2002 American Lives: The Stories of the Men and Women Lost on September 11
• 2008 The Good Rat: A True Story
• 2011 Branch Rickey

See also

In Spanish: Jimmy Breslin para niños