Jimmy Breslin was an American journalist, author and commentator, born on October 30, 1930 in New York City. He was a prominent and colorful figure in New York City journalism, known for his strong opinions, biting wit, and his ability to capture the everyday struggles of working-class New Yorkers in his writing.

Breslin began his career as a journalist in the 1950s and quickly made a name for himself as a hard-hitting and irreverent reporter. He wrote for several newspapers including The New York Herald Tribune, The New York Daily News and Newsday, where he covered everything from city hall politics to organized crime. He was particularly known for his column in the Daily News, which ran for more than 20 years, and his coverage of the city's political and social issues.

He attended St. Benedict Joseph Labre School in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York City. His writing career spanned several decades, and he wrote several books, including "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight," "Can't Anybody Here Play This Game?" and "The Short Sweet Dream of Eduardo Gutierrez."

He won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1986 for his columns in Newsday, which focused on the everyday struggles of working-class New Yorkers. He was also known for his strong opinions on politics, and he was a vocal critic of many politicians, including Mayor Ed Koch and President Richard Nixon. Breslin passed away in 2017