Beloved New York Post photographer Ellis Kaplan dead at 78: ‘Quintessential son of Queens’

Rich Calder
·3 min read
Ellis Kaplan
Ellis Kaplan

Ellis Kaplan, a quirky and beloved veteran New York Post shutterbug who made Queens courts his unrivaled turf during a spectacular four-decade career, has died.

He was 78.

Kaplan was found dead earlier this week in the same Jamaica, Queens apartment he lived in since 1963, and where he once cared for his mother before she died at the age of 101, recalled longtime colleagues and friends.

Ellis Kaplan, a quirky, but beloved, veteran New York Post shutterbug who made Queens courts his turf unrivaled by no one during a spectacular four-decade career, has passed away. Kevin C. Downs
Ellis Kaplan, a quirky, but beloved, veteran New York Post shutterbug who made Queens courts his turf unrivaled by no one during a spectacular four-decade career, has passed away. Kevin C. Downs

He joined The Post in 1981 and soon became a mainstay in his home borough, where he knew just about every judge, prosecutor, court officer and lawyer.

“Ellis Kaplan had the Queens courthouse wired,” recalled Post reporter Kevin Sheehan.

“When there was a press office [at the courthouse], judges would stop by and tell Ellis, ‘I have a great story for you.’ I never saw any other press rooms where judges would walk in and tell photographers they have a great story.”

Kaplan was found dead earlier this week in the same Jamaica, Queens apartment he lived in since 1963, and where he once cared for his mother before she died at the age of 101, recalled longtime colleagues and friends. Joel Cairo
Kaplan was found dead earlier this week in the same Jamaica, Queens apartment he lived in since 1963, and where he once cared for his mother before she died at the age of 101, recalled longtime colleagues and friends. Joel Cairo

Lia Eustachewich, The Post’s managing editor of news, also fondly recalled working with Kaplan during her reporting days.

“I’ll always remember Ellis for his colorful personality — and rocking up to scenes in his giant Hummer, of course,” said Eustachewich.

He joined The Post in 1981 and soon became a mainstay in his home borough, where he knew just about every judge, prosecutor, court officer and lawyer. csuarez
He joined The Post in 1981 and soon became a mainstay in his home borough, where he knew just about every judge, prosecutor, court officer and lawyer. csuarez
Lia Eustachewich, The Post’s managing editor of news, also fondly recalled working with Kaplan during her reporting days. vmodica
Lia Eustachewich, The Post’s managing editor of news, also fondly recalled working with Kaplan during her reporting days. vmodica
Some of his most recent New York Post front page photos included a 2019 shot of a Queens hoarder filling her front yard with trash, under the headline, “FILTH AVENUE.” csuarez
Some of his most recent New York Post front page photos included a 2019 shot of a Queens hoarder filling her front yard with trash, under the headline, “FILTH AVENUE.” csuarez

“A quintessential son of Queens, he served on the frontlines of the tabloid wars during a bygone era. He was a friendly face on door knocks, an expert when it came to Queens court, and was truly dedicated to his photography. As we say on the streets, we’ll see you on the next one, Ellis.”

Some of his most recent New York Post front page photos included a 2019 shot of a Queens hoarder filling her front yard with trash, under the headline, “FILTH AVE.”

A 2022 cover demanding “JUSTICE” featured a Kaplan photo of a New York City cabbie’s widow, after she broke down in tears recalling how she told her kids their father was killed by a group of thugs during a robbery.

“I’ll always remember Ellis for his colorful personality — and rocking up to scenes in his giant Hummer, of course,” said Eustachewich. Joel Cairo
“I’ll always remember Ellis for his colorful personality — and rocking up to scenes in his giant Hummer, of course,” said Eustachewich. Joel Cairo

Kaplan’s other passions, besides photography, included being a Queens history buff, and collecting World War II rifles and other historic weapons, which he’d routinely fire at outdoor shooting ranges on Long Island, according to friends.

He also enjoyed telling jokes on assignments and making reporters and other photographers laugh.

Kaplan once boasted his parents submitted his photo to Gerber Foods when he was an infant and that he had brief fame as a “Gerber baby during the 1940’s,” recalled longtime friend and photographer Kevin Downs.

Bruce Cotler, president of the New York Press Photographers Association, called Kaplan a Queens institution who will be sorely missed.

“He knew everything about Queens and what to do,” said Cotler.

“And he had a distinct laugh that everyone will remember.”

A gofundme page was set up for Kaplan to pay for a Jewish burial.