In 1972, to win a $300 "best facial hair" prize offered by team owner Charlie O. Finley, Oakland A's pitcher Rollie Fingers grew a handlebar moustache which he sported throughout his career.
Handlebar moustache | Motorcycle handlebar | Fu Manchu moustache | handlebar moustache | Bicycle handlebar |
Despite humble beginning, he was an incarnate Tory-toff, sporting a Jimmy Edwards-style handlebar moustache, a booming baritone voice, and a fruity Terry-Thomas accent.
Many men throughout history sported the iconic walrus moustache including American author Mark Twain, Rock legends David Crosby and John Lennon, German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, Polish politicians Józef Piłsudski, Lech Wałęsa, former professional hockey player Lanny McDonald and Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, who at times also wore the Handlebar moustache.
Another notable role was Keats' memorable performance in the celebrated movie Hester Street (adapted from author Abraham Cahan's original Yiddish story "Yekl.") Set on New York City's Lower East Side of the 1890s, Keats played Jake Putkovsky (late of Russia), an assimilated "Amerikaner," complete with derby hat and an impressive handlebar moustache.