20 Things You Didn't Know About Ed Koch
The former mayor of New York lived a vibrant life.
Image via Complex Original
This morning, Ed Koch died at the age of 88. Nearly 25 years after leaving office, he remains one of the most famous mayors of New York City. His chirpy, matter-of-fact speech and "How'm I doing?" catchphrase made him a favorite in his first two terms. He balanced the city budget and brought a lot of pride back to NYC after some crippling years when the economy took a dive.
By his third term, however, Koch was criticized for his callous attitude toward violence against the black community, his inability to cope with the AIDS crisis, and scandals that mired his administration as the stock market folded.
You'd think three terms as mayor would have a person ready for a nice, quiet life, but Ed Koch was just getting started. He practiced law, appeared in over 60 films and TV shows, hosted a radio talk show, reviewed movies on YouTube, wrote about food and politics online, lectured at NYU, and gave incredible sound bites up until his death today.
In memory of the former mayor, here are 20 things you didn't know about Ed Koch.
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He saved his 6-year-old sister from drowning in the Catskills when he was 13.
He was a B student in high school, and was president of the debate team.
Because he spoke German, he spent time in Germany after World War II replacing Nazis with non-Nazis in public office.
He recommended that the MTA fight subway graffiti by using wild wolves to keep writers away.
During his time as mayor, approximately 29,000 people were diagnosed with AIDS in New York City.
The heimlich posters prominently displayed in NYC restaurants appeared after Koch choked on sauteed watercress in Chinatown.
Koch never forgave Mario Cuomo for his attack campaign, which read "Vote for Cuomo, not the homo."
Koch kept his relationships and sexuality very private, but was often seen at public events with former Miss America, Bess Myerson.
In 1988 he tried to boycott raising ticket prices, but as he put it, "no one backed me up, so I gave up and went into the theater."
During his last term as mayor he was booed and heckled when he took the mound for the first pitch at a Yankees game. He tipped his cap, took a bow and threw a strike.
One of Koch's favorite meals was the peking duck from Sun Lok Kee, on Mott Street.
Koch was very protective of his bridge: "If there is any mention of putting a toll on that bridge, I shall run down to the bridge like Horatio and stand there with a sword to stop it!"
Koch was the first mayor to host SNL; he appeared on the show four times.
He suceeded Rain Man's favorite People's Court judge, Joseph Wapner, from 1999 to 2000.
Starred in an Academy-Award-winning claymation short where he sings his version of "New York, New York" around the city.
As an Ultra Slim-Fast spokesman, he lost 40 pounds-then gained back 15.
He wrote an autobiographical series of children's books with his sister about problems he faced as a child, including jealousy and fitness.
His biography was turned into an off-broadway musical called "Mayor," with songs by Charlse Strouse who composed Annie and Bye Bye Birdie.
After his quadruple bypass, he treated the 20-person hospital team to dinner at Peter Luger as thanks.
He loved Drive and thought that Ryan Gosling looked like a young Brad Pitt.
