Henry Earl
| Henry Earl | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 24, 1949[1] |
| May 2024 (aged 74)[2]May 2024 (aged 74)[2] | |
| Other names | James Brown[2] |
| 💼 Occupation | |
Henry Earl (October 24, 1949 – May 2024) was an American man known for being arrested approximately 1,500 times,[3] mostly for charges involving the misuse of alcohol.[4] He became a folk hero,[4] and was known for his friendly demeanor and love of dancing.[2]
Earl began drinking to cope with the death of his adoptive mother when he was 18 years old.[5] By 1969, he was homeless and unemployed.[4] While on the streets he would perform dance moves for money, earning him the moniker "James Brown", referencing the popular soul singer.[4][6]
Earl was arrested over 1,500 times, which is the record for most number of times being arrested in Lexington, Kentucky;[3][7] he spent over 6,000 days behind bars.[7][8] Although initially given lighter sentences, allowing him to be arrested dozens of times a year, later sentences would be for months at a time.[3]
In a 2005 piece for the Victoria Advocate he is described as being a local icon. Lexington residents have written songs about him, created artwork featuring him, and sold autographed merchandise.[6][4] He soon became the focus of multiple websites and online discussion forums reporting on his arrests and exchanging stories of interactions.[4] Bloggers described him as a "real American hero" and footage of him appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[6]
Earl died in May 2024.[2]
References
- ↑ "Henry Earl: Setting The Record Straight". The Smoking Gun. Archived from the original on September 28, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-26. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Leach, Christopher (May 27, 2024). "Obituary for Henry Earl". Lexington Herald-Leader. p. A1. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 McLaughlin, Eliott C. (December 4, 2013). "Most-arrested man to face judge as friends hope for 'Christmas miracle'". CNN. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Braiker, Brian (February 26, 2004). "Portraits of the Town Drunk". Newsweek. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
- ↑ "Arrests [of Henry Earl]". Lexington Herald-Leader. May 27, 2024. p. A4. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Ortiz, Brandon (December 25, 2004). "Internet loves the man who loves the bottle". The Victoria Advocate.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Henry Earl, Arrested More Than 1500 Times, In Jail Again". Huffington Post. November 28, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Henry Earl of Lexington, Kentucky arrested 1267 times". NewsComAu. Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2026-09-19. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help)
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