Henry Earl: Difference between revisions
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'''Henry Earl''' (October 24, 1949 – May 2024) was an American man known for being arrested approximately 1,500 times<!-- note that the obituary states 1,300 *since 1992* -->,<ref name="McLaughlin 2013">{{Cite news |last=McLaughlin |first=Eliott C. |date=December 4, 2013 |title=Most-arrested man to face judge as friends hope for 'Christmas miracle' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/12/04/us/kentucky-henry-earl-most-arrested |access-date=2026-09-19 |work=CNN |language=en}}</ref> mostly for charges involving the misuse of [[Alcoholic beverage|alcohol]].<ref name="Braiker 2004">{{Cite web |last=Braiker |first=Brian |date=February 26, 2004 |title=Portraits of the Town Drunk |url=https://www.newsweek.com/portraits-town-drunk-131555 |access-date=2026-09-19 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref> He became a [[folk hero]],<ref name="Braiker 2004" /> and was known for his friendly demeanor and love of dancing.<ref name="Leach p1" /> |
'''Henry Earl''' (October 24, 1949 – May 2024) was an American man known for being arrested approximately 1,500 times<!-- note that the obituary states 1,300 *since 1992* -->,<ref name="McLaughlin 2013">{{Cite news |last=McLaughlin |first=Eliott C. |date=December 4, 2013 |title=Most-arrested man to face judge as friends hope for 'Christmas miracle' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/12/04/us/kentucky-henry-earl-most-arrested |access-date=2026-09-19 |work=CNN |language=en}}</ref> mostly for charges involving the misuse of [[Alcoholic beverage|alcohol]].<ref name="Braiker 2004">{{Cite web |last=Braiker |first=Brian |date=February 26, 2004 |title=Portraits of the Town Drunk |url=https://www.newsweek.com/portraits-town-drunk-131555 |access-date=2026-09-19 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref> He became a [[folk hero]],<ref name="Braiker 2004" /> and was known for his friendly demeanor and love of dancing.<ref name="Leach p1" /> |
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==Life== |
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Earl began drinking to cope with the death of his adoptive mother when he was 18 years old.<ref name="Leach p2">{{Cite news |date=May 27, 2024 |title=Arrests [of Henry Earl] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-arrests-of-henr/201507496/ |access-date=2026-09-19 |work=[[Lexington Herald-Leader]] |page=A4}}</ref> By 1969, he was homeless and unemployed.<ref name="Braiker 2004" /> While on the streets he would perform dance moves for money, earning him the moniker "James Brown", referencing the [[James Brown|popular soul singer]].<ref name="Braiker 2004" /><ref name=VictoriaAdvocate /> |
Earl began drinking to cope with the death of his adoptive mother when he was 18 years old.<ref name="Leach p2">{{Cite news |date=May 27, 2024 |title=Arrests [of Henry Earl] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lexington-herald-leader-arrests-of-henr/201507496/ |access-date=2026-09-19 |work=[[Lexington Herald-Leader]] |page=A4}}</ref> By 1969, he was homeless and unemployed.<ref name="Braiker 2004" /> While on the streets he would perform dance moves for money, earning him the moniker "James Brown", referencing the [[James Brown|popular soul singer]].<ref name="Braiker 2004" /><ref name=VictoriaAdvocate /> |
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=== Arrests === |
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Earl was arrested over 1,500 times, which is the record for most number of times being arrested in [[Lexington, Kentucky]];<ref name="McLaughlin 2013"/><ref name="Huffington 2013" /> he spent over 6,000 days behind bars.<ref name="Huffington 2013">{{Cite news |date=November 28, 2013 |title=Henry Earl, Arrested More Than 1500 Times, In Jail Again |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/henry-earl-arrest-1500-thanksgiving-in-jail_n_4352833 |access-date=September 19, 2026 |work=[[Huffington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Henry Earl of Lexington, Kentucky arrested 1267 times |url=http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/henry-earl-of-lexington-kentucky-arrested-1267-times/story-fnixwvgh-1226773718589 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202164414/http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/henry-earl-of-lexington-kentucky-arrested-1267-times/story-fnixwvgh-1226773718589 |archive-date=2013-12-02 |access-date=2026-09-19 |work=NewsComAu |language=en}}</ref> Although initially given lighter sentences, allowing him to be arrested dozens of times a year, later sentences would be for months at a time.<ref name="McLaughlin 2013" /> |
Earl was arrested over 1,500 times, which is the record for most number of times being arrested in [[Lexington, Kentucky]];<ref name="McLaughlin 2013"/><ref name="Huffington 2013" /> he spent over 6,000 days behind bars.<ref name="Huffington 2013">{{Cite news |date=November 28, 2013 |title=Henry Earl, Arrested More Than 1500 Times, In Jail Again |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/henry-earl-arrest-1500-thanksgiving-in-jail_n_4352833 |access-date=September 19, 2026 |work=[[Huffington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Henry Earl of Lexington, Kentucky arrested 1267 times |url=http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/henry-earl-of-lexington-kentucky-arrested-1267-times/story-fnixwvgh-1226773718589 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202164414/http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/henry-earl-of-lexington-kentucky-arrested-1267-times/story-fnixwvgh-1226773718589 |archive-date=2013-12-02 |access-date=2026-09-19 |work=NewsComAu |language=en}}</ref> Although initially given lighter sentences, allowing him to be arrested dozens of times a year, later sentences would be for months at a time.<ref name="McLaughlin 2013" /> |
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| ⚫ | 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.<ref name="VictoriaAdvocate">{{cite news |last=Ortiz |first=Brandon |date=December 25, 2004 |title=Internet loves the man who loves the bottle |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dqY_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=glYMAAAAIBAJ&pg=7124,5229654 |newspaper=The Victoria Advocate}}</ref><ref name="Braiker 2004" /> He soon became the focus of multiple websites and online discussion forums reporting on his arrests and exchanging stories of interactions.<ref name="Braiker 2004" /> Bloggers described him as a "real American hero" and footage of him appeared on ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''.<ref name=VictoriaAdvocate /> |
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=== Publicity === |
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| ⚫ | 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.<ref name="VictoriaAdvocate">{{cite news |last=Ortiz |first=Brandon |date=December 25, 2004 |title=Internet loves the man who loves the bottle |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dqY_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=glYMAAAAIBAJ&pg=7124,5229654 |newspaper=The Victoria Advocate}}</ref><ref name="Braiker 2004" /> |
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He soon became the focus of multiple websites and online discussion forums reporting on his arrests and exchanging stories of interactions.<ref name="Braiker 2004" /> Bloggers described him as a "real American hero" and footage of him appeared on ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''.<ref name=VictoriaAdvocate /> |
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== Death == |
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Earl died in May 2024.<ref name="Leach p1" /> |
Earl died in May 2024.<ref name="Leach p1" /> |
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Latest revision as of 14:27, 21 September 2026
This article has been nominated for deletion. You are welcome to participate in the deletion discussion, which will decide whether to keep it. This discussion may also result in the article being merged, redirected, or draftified. |
Henry Earl | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 24, 1949[1] |
| Died | May 2024 (aged 74)[2] |
| Other name | James Brown[2] |
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
[edit]- ↑ "Henry Earl: Setting The Record Straight". The Smoking Gun. Archived from the original on September 28, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
- 1 2 3 4 Leach, Christopher (May 27, 2024). "Obituary for Henry Earl". Lexington Herald-Leader. p. A1. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- 1 2 3 McLaughlin, Eliott C. (December 4, 2013). "Most-arrested man to face judge as friends hope for 'Christmas miracle'". CNN. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Braiker, Brian (February 26, 2004). "Portraits of the Town Drunk". Newsweek. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Arrests [of Henry Earl]". Lexington Herald-Leader. May 27, 2024. p. A4. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Ortiz, Brandon (December 25, 2004). "Internet loves the man who loves the bottle". The Victoria Advocate.
- 1 2 "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 December 2, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2026.