Iconic sports artist LeRoy Neiman passed away Wednesday at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, his family confirmed in a statement. The cause of death was not disclosed Neiman was 91.
"We mourn the passing of such an extraordinary and talented man," Neiman’s wife of over 50 years, Janet, said a statement.
Neiman studied at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago and taught at the institute for 10 years. After meeting Hugh Hefner in Chicago in the mid-50s, Neiman became a contributing artist for Playboy magazine. He created the Party Jokes page’s cartoon character Fremlin and his illustrations of events and activities were featured in the "Man at His Leisure" series for 15 years. Neiman eventually became known for his brightly colored paintings of sporting events like the Olympics, Wimbledon, the Super Bowl, the Kentucky Derby and the Super Bowl. He also painted athletes and musicians. Neiman’s work is displayed in museums across the world.
"I've had a lucky life. I've zeroed in on what you would call action and excellence. ... Everybody who does anything to try to succeed has to give the best of themselves, and art has made me pull the best out of myself,” Neiman said in a 2008 interview with the AP.
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