POPEYE was based on Frank "Rocky" Fiegel as noted in Forrest "Bud" Sagendorf's (1979) - "POPEYE: The First Fifty Years" book and other local sources. Fiegel was a local tough guy. He was small and wiry, just like POPEYE! There are many local legends told of his incredible strength, and his ability to fight. On September 7, 1996, Fiegel's formerly unmarked grave was finally marked with a headstone. The marker is inscripted with the 1929 version of E.C. Segar's Popeye character. This version of Popeye most resembles his legendary 'real life' counterpart.