Eiler Larsen

Eiler Larsen (March 27, 1890 – March 19, 1975) was a Danish-born vagabond who was known as "The Greeter" of Laguna Beach, California. From the 1940s until the early 1970s, the shaggy-haired, heavily-bearded Larsen grinning, waving, and booming "Halloo-oo-oo!" to visitors became a cultural icon for Laguna Beach tourists.

Larsen wandered in Europe, South America and across the United States before settling in Laguna at age 52. He worked as an occasional gardener, and adopted the daily habit of standing on a street corner to greet every car and passerby. Local patrons supported him with a rent-free room, free meals and other services. In 1964, Larsen was proclaimed Laguna's Official Greeter by the mayor. During his lifetime, Larsen was featured in paintings, postcards, photographs and sculptures.