Celebrity Chasers: How ‘paparazzi’ became a global phenomenon

NEW YORK: The word “paparazzi” does not refer to a single person but to freelance photographers who make a living capturing images of celebrities, often without their consent and frequently during private moments.

The term originated from Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini’s 1960 classic film La Dolce Vita. In the movie, a photographer named Paparazzo relentlessly follows celebrities in search of exclusive pictures. What began as a fictional character soon evolved into a global label for celebrity-chasing photographers.

While the term was born in Italy, many consider the real-life king of the paparazzi to be Ron Galella, a New York-born photographer whose aggressive tactics helped define and polarize celebrity photography.

Galella was far from a conventional photographer. Calling himself a “paparazzo artist,” he pursued celebrities with an intensity that often blurred the line between journalism and intrusion. He reportedly hid in bushes, disguised himself as a waiter or driver, and even relied on tips from hotel staff to track the movements of famous people.

Galella believed that celebrities had little claim to privacy, arguing that public figures were effectively public property.

His most famous subject was former US first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Galella followed her relentlessly, capturing hundreds of photographs over the years.

Among them was the iconic “Windblown Jackie,” a candid image showing Kennedy walking along a New York street as the wind swept through her hair while she smiled toward the camera.

The photograph remains one of the most celebrated images in celebrity photography.

Behind the image, however, was a growing legal and personal conflict. Kennedy became increasingly frustrated by Galella’s constant presence and eventually took legal action against him. After a lengthy court battle, a judge ordered Galella to stay 50 feet away from Kennedy and her children.

Galella’s pursuit of celebrities extended far beyond Jacqueline Kennedy. He photographed nearly every major Hollywood star of his era and frequently drew criticism for his methods.

Among those who clashed with him was actor Marlon Brando. In one widely reported encounter, Brando punched Galella in the face, breaking his jaw and several teeth.

The incident became one of the most notorious confrontations in the history of celebrity photography and highlighted the ongoing tension between public curiosity and personal privacy.

Today, paparazzi remain a fixture of the entertainment industry, but debates over ethics, privacy and the rights of public figures continue to shape how celebrity coverage is viewed around the world.