The city of San Francisco is mourning the loss of a familiar face after one of its own recently passed away. The popular street performer, known as Bucket Man, died last week.
“I’m [sad] to announce my friend, The Bucket Man, that played buckets on Market [Street] and was in [the] Will Smith movie, the Pursuit of Happyness has [overdosed] and died in his SRO,” a tweet from yesterday (March 1) read. One user interjected, saying the death occurred last week, but floods of others offered their condolences. “What? Nooooo! He was a fixture on Market Street and a local celebrity. I am so sorry for your loss,” a person wrote. Another commented, “OH NO. I passed by this guy so many times in [San Francisco] playing those buckets. Every once in a while, I would see some other dude trying to copy him, but they lacked his rhythm. There will never be another Market [Street] Bucket Man. He was part of [San Francisco’s] culture.”
OH NO. I passed by this guy so many times in SF playing those buckets. Every once in a while, I would see some other dude trying to copy him, but they lacked his rhythm. There will never be another Market St. Bucket Man. He was part of SF's culture. https://t.co/AGZBa4q144
— Meaghan M. Mitchell (@Meaghan_M) March 1, 2023
Many continued to remember his joyful and soulful presence: “One of the bests [parts] about Bucket Man’s drumming was the fact that he welcomed so many [tourists] to San Francisco with a smile, and he showed those [tourists] love… Very sad… Very sad….. #SanFrancisco so many tourists around the world remember his positive music and loving smile.” Videos of the street performer passionately beating his buckets and drums can be found on YouTube as far back as 15 years ago.
According to California news station KTVU 2, the San Francisco “Bucket Man,” born Larry Hunt, died last Wednesday (Feb. 22) at the age of 64. He was a “well-known figure” who could be spotted on the city streets “rain or shine,” KTVU added. In addition to appearing in Smith’s 2006 drama, which was based on a true story, Hunt also performed on the NBC reality showcase series, “America’s Got Talent.” As of today (March 2), his cause of death has not been revealed.
See tributes to San Francisco’s Bucket Man below.
San Francisco, Ca 2013
Larry ‘Bucket Man’ Hunt.He passed away Thursday at the age of 64. Upon hearing this news I got teary eyed. When I moved to San Francisco in 1999 I worked on Market st at The Virgin Megastore and there were all sorts of characters pic.twitter.com/AfmCEvobLF— Marcell Turner (@MarcellTurner) March 2, 2023
Moment of Silence #SanFrancisco… Today THE Legendary Bucket Man That played buckets every day on 4th & Market, A True Advocate for Tourists Visiting, who was also in The Persuit Of Happiness movie, OD and died in his SRO this morning. @war24182236 @stillgray @EricaJSandberg @cnn pic.twitter.com/67P1mnZoJC
— WORLD PEACE MOVEMENT🌎🌍🌏 唐人街牛仔世界和平领袖 (@darren_stallcup) March 1, 2023
RIP Bucket Man
You brought so much music and joy to San Francisco.
— Peter Hartlaub (@peterhartlaub) March 1, 2023
One of the bests part about Bucket Man’s drumming was the fact that He welcomed so many tourist to San Francisco with a smile and he showed those tourist love… Very sad… Very sad… #SanFrancisco
So many tourists around the world remember His positive music and loving smile 💔
— WORLD PEACE MOVEMENT🌎🌍🌏 唐人街牛仔世界和平领袖 (@darren_stallcup) March 1, 2023