Trivia

Was covering Robert F. Kennedy's speech at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles in 1968. He was standing five feet away when assassin Sirhan Sirhan shot Kennedy, who later died from his wounds.

In 1969 Norman Mailer ran for Mayor of New York and Breslin ran for President of the City Council on the same ticket. Both were soundly defeated.

Author-columnist Jimmy Breslin, the Pulitzer Prize-winning chronicler of wise guys and underdogs who became the brash embodiment of the old-time, street-smart New Yorker. Pulitzer committee, in citing Breslin's commentary, noted that his columns consistently championed ordinary citizens. Breslin was to Queens Boulevard what Damon Runyon was to Broadway.

Had two daughters: Rosemary Breslin (d. 2004) and Kelly Breslin (d. 2009).

His second wife, Ronnie Eldridge, was a New York City Councilwoman.

Survived by his wife, four sons, Kevin, James, Patrick, and Christopher, a stepson Daniel Eldridge, two step-daughters, Emily and Lucy Eldridge a sister Deirdre Breslin and 12 grandchildren.

Father-in-law of producer Anthony Dunne.

It was claimed by director William Friedkin that Breslin was among the people considered for the role of Popeye Doyle in "The French Connection" before Gene Hackman was cast.

Left college to become a newspaper columnist.

Wrote over 20 books.

Raised by mother Frances after father abandoned the family during the Great Depression.

Began his career working as a copy boy for the Long Island Press.