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Sports Painter LeRoy Neiman Dead At 91


LeRoy Neiman, a famed sports painter, has died at age 91 at a New York hospital.

Neiman served as the official painter for five Olympics.

His work, featuring colorful explosions, was seen as conveying the drama and energy of the sports world.

Among his most iconic artworks were portraits of Muhammad Ali over 15 years of the legendary fighter's career.

Neiman also sketched the world chess tournament between Russian Boris Spassky and American Bobby Fischer in Reykjavik, Iceland, for a live television audience in 1972.

He also portrayed figures outside of sports, such as Frank Sinatra.

Distinctive-looking with his handlebar mustache, Neiman also acted as a ring announcer in Sylvester Stallone's "Rocky" boxing movies, and painted a canvas that was featured in a "Rocky" film.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters

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