Joseph Kromelis

Joseph Kromelis (1947 – December 11, 2022) known as 'Walking Man', 'Walking Dude' or Walking Yanni 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 and a thick mustache.

Sources differ as to whether Kromelis was born in Germany or Lithuania. His family lived in Lithuania, and while Kromelis was still a child, moved to Chicago where they managed a bar on Halsted street. After his family moved to Michigan, Kromelis remained in Chicago and found work in a factory. He later obtained a peddler's license, and sold jewelry for income while wandering the Loop.

Over the decades, he became a noted Chicago personality. He was the subject of a 2006 documentary called "Dudementary". About his fame, Kromelis stated “I’m like the Kardashians — I’m famous for doing nothing.”