Popeye the Sailor Man is a fictional cartoon character created by Elzie Crisler Segar that has appeared in comic strips, theatrical and television animated cartoons, and video games. On January 17, 1929, he made his first appearance in the daily King Features comic strip Thimble Theatre; Popeye later became the strip's title. Not in the mood to read? Watch the video here. The Real-Life Inspiration: Frank "Rocky" Fiegel When Elzie Segar first introduced Popeye in a 1929 comic strip, he was inspired by a one-eyed man named Frank 'Rocky' Fiegal from his hometown of Chester, Illinois. Fiegal, who shared Popeye's