Friday marked the 75th anniversary of the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list — the famed rogue’s gallery that has fascinated Hollywood and true-crime buffs for decades.
Since its inception in 1950, the list has been an “invaluable publicity tool” that has helped “ensure the most odious criminals are brought to justice,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.
The mugshots of more than 500 fugitives have earned their place in the agency’s criminal hall of fame — with the most notorious including Ted Bundy and Osama Bin Laden.
FBI founding Director J. Edgar Hoover sent the first version of the list to the United Press International wire agency. It was meant to drum up public interest in law enforcement and help nab the FBI’s “toughest guys.”
The list soon captured the imagination of the American public, inspiring villains in countless novels, comic books, movies and TV shows, including the hit series “FBI: Most Wanted.”
00:07
04:26
Explore More
Biden White House gave Trump, Pence cellphones to FBI as part of agency’s ‘gotcha scheme’ probing 2020 election
FBI’s new task force arrests 214 criminals, including Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangbangers, in two weeks
Family of last person to see missing Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki says he ‘wouldn’t hurt a fly’
