Created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Romita, Sr., Marvel Comics villain Wilson Fisk, the “Kingpin of Crime”, was introduced to readers in Amazing Spider-Man #50 (July 1967). Since then, the character has become a popular villain, challenging Spider-Man, Daredevil, and The Punisher over the years. The villain’s appearance was inspired by a real-life actor.
According to author John Wells in American Comic Book Chronicles: 1965 – 1969: “Artist John Romita, Sr. modeled the Kingpin on oversized actor Robert Middleton. Romita gave the the Kingpin a white suit, a cigarette holder and a walking stick.”
As an actor, Middleton was noted for his girth and thick eyebrows, two traits that he shares with the Kingpin character. Middleton died in 1977.
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Nothing But Comics 
It’s interesting that Fisk started out more comedic, then evolved to a really dark & nasty character. Frank Miller said that he might as well have been called Fatman because Spider-Man just bounced off his belly for entire fight scenes. It makes me wonder if Robert Middleton was a comedian.
Middleton played a variety of roles on both film and television, including comedic roles. He played Jackie Gleason’s boss on THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW, so Romita may have been going for a little comedy in his design when he chose Middleton as his model.
Here’s an interview with Middleton:
Sweet. That is Wilson Fisk’s voice in my head now.
Yeah. It’s a great voice for the Kingpin, I think.
Deep, gravely, reminds me of Orson Wells’ voice . . .