Arthur ‘Weegee’ Fellig was an American actor best known for Weegee’s New York, The Yellow Cab Man, and The ‘Imp’probable Mr. Wee Gee. He was also a noted photojournalist with a focus on crime scenes.
Personal and Family Life
Arthur Fellig was born on June 12, 1899, in Lemberg, Galicia, which is now Lviv, Ukraine. When he was 11, his family migrated to New York City’s Lower East Side. His father initially worked as a pushcart merchant before becoming a rabbi. Arthur left school at the age of 14 to contribute financially to his family, taking on various jobs.
Career
Fellig adopted the nickname “Weegee” around 1938, inspired by his knack for arriving at crime scenes quickly, aided by having a police radio in his car. He gained fame for his unique photography style, with his first book of photographs, “Naked City,” published in 1945. This work later inspired the film The Naked City and its television adaptation in 1958. His signature voice even influenced character development in films, notably being mimicked by Peter Sellers for Dr. Strangelove.
Death and Legacy
Arthur ‘Weegee’ Fellig passed away on December 26, 1968, in New York City due to a brain tumor. He left behind a significant legacy in both photography and film, with his work continuing to influence the crime genre in media. His unique approach to capturing urban life and crime scenes has established him as a prominent figure in the history of American photography.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The ‘Imp’probable Mr. Wee Gee | 1966-12-22 | Mr. Wee Gee |
| Shangri-La | 1961-04-30 | Man in wax museum |
| The Real Weegee | 1993-04-01 | Himself |
| My Bare Lady | 1963-06-18 | Beauty Contest Judge (uncredited) |
| The Set-Up | 1949-03-29 | Timekeeper (uncredited) |
| COCKTAIL PARTY | 1966-01-01 | Self |
| The Naked City | 1948-03-04 | Photographer (uncredited) |
| Gotham | 1990-01-01 | Himself (archive footage) |