Marc Abrams, the famed “Silver Lake Walking Man,” was found dead in a hot tub Wednesday night, according to NBC Los Angeles.
Anyone who lives in or has frequented Silver Lake had probably caught a glimpse of the eternally tanned and shirtless Abrams walking briskly through the neighborhood, head down while reading a folded newspaper. Images of Abrams can be be found in at least two neighborhood murals, including the one pictured above on Sunset Boulevard.
The body of the 58-year-old Abrams was found in a hot tub in the 2400 block of Moreno Drive, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Firefighters responded to an emergency call shortly before 6 PM and performed CPR on the man. But the victim was “beyond medical help and pronounced dead on scene,” according to spokesman Erik Scott on the department’s Twitter feed. No other details were immediately available.
Abrams, in a 2004 interview with the Silver Lake News, said he used sunscreen with SPF 50 and conceded that he once walked into an SUV. He described his route:
“I usually loop around the lake, and then go down West Silverlake to Rowena, and then Hyperion, and then Griffith Park Blvd. down Sunset, back down Silverlake to the reservoir, and then back and loop around the lake again. So it’s about 15 miles altogether.”
Related items:
Silver Lake mourns the Walking Man. The Eastsider
RIP Silver Lake Walker. Facebook
Hit the Ground Running. LA Times
* This post had been updated with the identify of the victim.
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{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
I was out walking dogs on his block when the coroner took him away. So sad, he will be missed.
not just any man.. http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/Man-Famous-For-Walking-Found-Dead-98988249.html
Walk in Peace, Silver Lake Walking Man.
Sadly, NBC LA is reporting that this man is Mr. Marc Abrams, otherwise known as the infamous walking man seen every day in Silver Lake. So sad! :(
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38355334/ns/local_news-los_angeles_ca/
It was the walking man! I’ll surely miss seeing him around the neighborhood.
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/Man-Famous-For-Walking-Found-Dead-98988249.html
Nooo. Such sad news. I think I’ll put a candle in front of the mural of him in front of Local tomorrow. He will be missed.
In memorial, we should power walk through the neighborhood en masse in shorts while reading the newspaper. Always considered it good luck to see him while walking in the neighborhoods.
So sad. In a city that’s constantly changing, he was one constant. RIP.
Noooooooo! Spotting him around town would always make my day.
He was even nice enough to stop and autograph in my sketch book once:
http://bit.ly/dtVaiS
R.I.P. My green shorted friend!
:-(
What sad news. Seeing him would always brighten my day. I’m sure he will be missed by all of Silverlake.
this makes me sad.
Holy Shit. Growing up right off the Sunset Junction strip, I would see this guy everyday. Its gonna be weird driving through the Sunset Junction and SIlver Lake knowing he won’t be ever be there anymore.
I was introduced to Dr. Abrams back in the late nineties by my friend George who lived near him on Angus Street. I was amazed by Dr. Abrams dedication to walking and once jokingly asked him if he ever dreamt of walking? He simply laughed. I will miss seeing him.
sad day indeed! been seeing him since i moved to silverlake / echo park area in the mid 90′s! cant believe i wont see him ever again…..
I never realized how much I look for him until today – having to remind myself I wouldn’t find him. I think a walk in his honor is a fantastic idea. I wonder if there were any charities he was working with that we could donate proceeds to?
I wish he had a hot tub time machine..
Shocking. 58 years young. My condolences to his family and to his community. The end of an era. The path will never be the same.
I love the idea of a walk in his honor as well. A long walk.
How Sad, It’s so crazy I just saw him not too long ago, me and my sister where running at the silverlake reservoir like a week ago, it was 8:30pm and he would always be walking with a flashlight while reading his newspaper. He will be missed R.I.P
I love the idea of a memorial walk. Marc will be missed by so many! I’ve seen him out walking almost every day since 1998 when I moved to LA, and I am very sad to know that I will not see him again. It is the end of an era. Walk in peace, friend.
He helped my girl carry empanadas once……and his fridge was always stocked….He will be missed….walk on.
Miss you Walking Man :( I took this picture on July 4th. http://www.flickr.com/photos/gtwodt/4804066918/
Such sad news but I must admit found his compulsive nature a bit disturbing. However I heard through friends he had a medical condition which called for constant exercise. Also heard he was a very warm and generous man. Sorry to hear about his passing and even though I was not really one of his “fans” would love to have a memorial walk around the lake this weekend in his honor – meet @ 11:30 AM for a NOON WALK, Saturday @ Tesla & W. Silver Lake Blvd. We could all carry a section of the newspaper in his honor.
Its sad that only at the time of his death do I learn who he is
As a Silver Lake resident since the late 70′s, I don’t remember a time when I didn’t see him walking somewhere. He was a fixture, much like the Laguna Beach Greeter many years ago. I never spoke to him, but now wish I had, and sure will miss seeing him! Yes~ A walking tribute would be great. It could be anytime, because he walked day and night, always!
Yes, I am all for the walk, but will be gone this weekend.
Take pictures to post for Eastsider!
Very sad. I just assumed he would keep going and going.
Ask not for whom the paramedic siren sounds, . . .
Several years ago I was working in Silverlake for 16 months remodeling a house. I would see this man everywhere I went. One day as he was walking by Trader Joes I asked him if he had a job. He smiled and said he worked nights. When I got back to where I was working I asked the home owner about the “naked man,” Oh, he is a doctor.
No matter who you are, you can’t walk seven days a week for over 20 years and work all night and go on just three hours sleep in a day. As a doctor he did not set a good example. But it was his life: God Bless.
I met Dr. Abrams and his wonderful wife when I worked at the now defunct North Hollywood Medical Center. He was so dedicated to his practice, he seemed always in a hurry to get back to his office and his patients, he was always very courteous and kind. He will be missed. He is an example of a person whose small daily actions and behavior made a lasting impression on people.
everyday when i walked my dogs he will paass by me and say hello. how sad.
Marc was my doctor and my friend since 1991. Always warm, always generous to a fault, Marc was the consummate gentleman. Walk with the angels, Doc.
He was everywhere I almost ran him over a few times , I hope he didn’t walk into that pool
Dr. Abrams committed suicide. Why didn’t he get help before taking his life? There is a hidden story here that no one seems to want to bring out.
I knew Marc for 20yrs a family friend. I spoke to him 2 weeks ago before and I dont believe he committed suicide. There was no reason for him to end his life regardless what the media says about suicide. He wasnt just the walking man he was a GREAT Doctor and a wonderful strong hearted person who was always there for his friends and family. RIP Marc now you are the walking Angel in Silver Like. Again for me and my husband this is too much and painful he didnt committe suicide NO WAY.
who didn’t know the shirtless waking man from silver lake I remember seeing him walking since the 80′s “rest in peace”