Joseph Kromelis (1947 – December 11, 2022) known as 'Walking Man', 'Walking Dude'[1][2] or Walking Yanni[3] was a Chicago-area homeless man and street vendor known for his physical appearance and for wandering about the city. He typically dressed in a v-neck t-shirt and a suit and kerchief, and had long, wavy hair[4] and a thick mustache.[5]
Sources differ as to whether Kromelis was born in Germany[6] or Lithuania.[7] His family lived in Lithuania, and while Kromelis was still a child, moved to Chicago where they managed a bar on Halsted street.[8] After his family moved to Michigan,[9] Kromelis remained in Chicago and found work in a factory. He later obtained a peddler's license,[8] and sold jewelry for income while wandering the Loop.[10]
Over the decades, he became a noted Chicago personality.[11] He was the subject of a 2006 documentary called "Dudementary".[12] About his fame, Kromelis stated “I’m like the Kardashians — I’m famous for doing nothing.”[2]