Otto Jensen, Legendary 101-Year-Old Burbank Photographer, Killed While Crossing Street

By Simone Wilson Wed., May 23 2012 at 10:00 AM

ESNEWS

The great Otto Jensen.

Updated on Page 2: Jensen, a former Danish boxer, meets Manny Pacquiao.

A living piece of Burbank history was killed while crossing Olive Avenue around 8:15 p.m. last night.

Otto Jensen, who was still running his nearby photography studio at the ripe age of 101 years old, has shot everything from family portraits to boxing and Hollywood greats during his long and storied career. Jensen's studio, a staple on Olive, has been open since 1952.

In a video interview with ESNEWS last year, he said he smoked two cigars a day...

... and had learned over his long life "to take it easy." Being himself a former boxer from Denmark (and, as listed elsewhere on the Internet, a "professional actor"), Jensen described himself as Manny Pacquiao's biggest fan.

Jensen is "very big in the Danish community," says Peter Musurlian, a PIO for the city of Burbank. "I think he was from Denmark originally."

City of Burbank

Jensen's famous studio.

The beloved photographer was featured in the City of Burbank's "Voices" series a few years back. "He's led a very interesting life and his story should be a good one," said the city's PIO at the time. (We're trying to obtain a video or transcript of the talk.)

Burbank police say Jensen was crossing Olive at Griffith Park when he was hit. Although there is no crosswalk at the intersection, Sergeant Darin Ryburn tells LA Weekly that it is legal to cross there.

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The driver of the sedan that downed Jensen has been identified as Mary Beaumont, another elder with a strong history in Burbank. She's a 91-year-old resident on the public library's board of trustees.

However, Beaumont is not being charged for the pedestrian death. "She was interviewed and released," says Ryburn.

UP NEXT: A video of the victim, whose boxing moniker is apparently Otto "BoneCrusher" Jensen, meeting his hero in 2011.

Tags:

Burbank, Mary Beaumont, Otto Jensen, pedestrian hit, photographer

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How many more accidents is it going to take to have these 90+ yrs old remove from our roads, they are a hazard to themselves and others. Jus as a bad as teens

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Sharon

I am sorry to hear of Mr. Jensens death. I grew up in the 60s and 70s right there on N. Griffith Park Dr. Mr Jensen photographed my family. He was a friend. I remember his little dog Trina...By the way I live in SE Missouri now and his passing made the news...Just a blip, but I recognized the name...ahhh sadness

Sugar Tallerino

Perhaps it's a preferable way to go than a prolonged illness. The man was 101....he gave alot. It was an accident. R.I.P. *Thee Angels Needed A Photographer*

Pauline Adamek

Okay, why is the driver not being charged for causing this man's death?!

DetroitZillaNojoke

1 Like

Good question. Why was the driver not cited? At the very least, reckless negligence in the opereation of a motor vehicle on a California roadway. Was it because Beaumont has ties too the City of Burbank? If the driver had been a Mexican or Black they would have been arrested, booked, brought before a magistrate for their arraingment lickity split. You can bet your bibby on it. The dutiful Burbank cops would not give a minority slack or consideration on this violation. I guess a 101 year old man has no value. Jensen was legally in a unmarked cross walk and he was run down. Beaumont must be charged if the law means anything at all. Her drivers license must be summarily revoked and she should be "Put Out To Pasture" for the public welfare and general safety. I remember Otto when I use to attend the Burbank YMCA,1994-2000. He was a nice old gentlemen and a talented photographer. What a way too go. He should have died in bed, not run down by a driver that had no business behind the business end of a motor vehicle. Klintos1

David

The Mexicans and Blacks get off the hook with everything else - so what makes this any different ?

Vdld

Because it was an accident. You would only be charged if you were texting, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, leaving the scene of the accident, etc. If it's just a true accident, then there is no crime, it's just a tragedy.