The 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" highlights the real-life inspiration behind Robert Shaw's character, Captain Quint: Long Island fisherman Frank Mundus. Mundus, a self-proclaimed "monster hunter," captivated author Peter Benchley, who incorporated Mundus's larger-than-life persona into the novel. While "Jaws" brought fame to Montauk, Mundus's family feels he was misrepresented, lacking the film's vengeful portrayal. The film's success, however, boosted Montauk's tourism, leading to annual shark tournaments and cementing its status as "Sharktown, USA."

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.