21 Facts About Frank Mundus

Frank Mundus was an American fisherman and charter captain based in Montauk, New York who is said to be the inspiration for the character Quint in the book and movie Jaws.

Frank Mundus started out as a shark hunter but later became a shark conservationist.

Frank Mundus died on September 10,2008, in Honolulu due to complications from a heart attack he suffered on September 6, the day he returned home to Hawaii after spending the summer in Montauk.

Frank Mundus was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, and moved to Brooklyn when he was young.

Frank Mundus moved to Montauk in 1951 saying he wanted to start charters for bluefish.

Frank Mundus was among the second wave of searchers, and helped tow the hull of the Pelican to port with ten dead bodies still trapped inside.

Frank Mundus soon discovered that bluefish were not plentiful in Montauk waters, but sharks were.

Frank Mundus started what he called "Monster Fishing" with boats leaving the port at Lake Montauk.

Frank Mundus further helped his reputation by catching a 4,500 pound great white shark by harpoon.

In 1991 the US Coast Guard said that Frank Mundus' license had expired and he had to reapply.

Frank Mundus initially attempted to sell the Cricket II and moved to Hawaii.

Frank Mundus officially retired as a charter captain in 1997.

Frank Mundus died in Hawaii shortly after returning from Montauk.

Frank Mundus' reputation was enhanced by his eccentric personality and ostentatious displays of the killed sharks.

Frank Mundus wore a hoop earring and an Australian slouch hat and a shark tooth necklace.

Frank Mundus joined Chris Fallows and other shark conservationists in viewing great whites in their natural habitat.

Frank Mundus said that the name of his boat was inspired by the fact that his profile resembled that of Jiminy Cricket.

Frank Mundus is often said to be the inspiration for charter captain Quint in the book and film Jaws.

The novel's author, Peter Benchley says that Frank Mundus was the inspiration but Frank Mundus was not notably credited as a source in the movie.

Nevertheless, Montauk residents have said that Frank Mundus was definitely the inspiration for the character.

John Ebel, a mate on the Cricket II said that Benchley had privately acknowledged that Frank Mundus was the inspiration but had publicly denied the association for legal reasons.