WPT Cameraman Paul Hannum Dies at Age 45

Those in the poker community who may be unfamiliar with the name Paul Hannum have most likely been exposed to his work. Hannum was the gregarious and ever-accommodating man behind the lens of the World Poker Tour. As the cameraman and official photographer since its inception, he played an important role in bringing the WPT into millions of homes over cable television's The Travel Channel. In Hollywood, Hannum was popular among independent film makers as an aspiring producer, short filmmaker and writer.

The former Boulder resident and University of Colorado graduate passed away on August 3 of complications following an appendectomy.

Born in Denver in 1961, Paul attended Thomas Jefferson High School before attending the University of Colorado, from which he graduated in 1983. He and his brother, Curtis, moved to Los Angeles in 1990, where Paul performed comedy and appeared as an actor in movies such as "On the Edge" and "Jerry Maguire." They traveled the world, while collaborating on several short films, and in 2005, "The Real Old Testament," a spoof of MTV's "The Real World" set in biblical times, won the audience award for best feature at the Boulder International Film Festival. In addition to coproducing and codirecting the film, Paul played "Snake" alongside his brother's God character.

Hannum had a genuine love for the game of poker and was just as comfortable at the felt as he was covering it. He often enjoyed a friendly game of hold'em at various casinos along the WPT trail, while his warm smile and endless sense of humor kept media, staff, and crew in good spirits throughout the long and grueling task of capturing poker tournaments on film.

Hannum is survived by his fiancée, Sarah Percy, who is expecting their first child this October. His brother Curtis, sister Kristen Hannum, and mother Evelyn Stokes Joiner also survive him.

A memorial service was held on Friday, August 11, at the family's home in Denver, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a fund especially created for Hannum's unborn daughter through www.babyhannum.com.

The Paul Hannum Charity Poker Tournament

WPT Player of the Year Gavin Smith and the Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens, California are hosting a $1,000 charity poker tournament at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, with proceeds going to Hannum's fiancée and unborn daughter.

The WPT has generously donated the following prizes:

• FIRST PRIZE: A $25,000 seat in the WPT Championship (April 27, 2007)

• SECOND PRIZE: A Paradise Poker Conquest Prize Package (May 12-18, 2007). The all-inclusive package includes $5,200 Buy-In to the Conquest of Paradise Island main event, six nights accommodation at Atlantis, Bahamas (valued at $2,000), and $1,000 to the player's Paradise online account

• THIRD PRIZE: A seat in the WPT Invitational (March 5, 2007)

The final table of this charity event will be streamed on Live At The Bike.

Players wishing to register for this event should RSVP to [email protected].

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