- Norm Augustinus
-
Norm Augustinus 
Born Detroit, Michigan, USA Genres Comedy
normaugustinus.comNorman Theodore Augustinus is a Jewish American satire writer, comedian, actor, poet, comic illustrator/artist and audiocaster.
Contents
Biography
Augustinus was born in the Hutzel Women's Hospital[1] in Detroit, Michigan. Known widely for his eccentric offbeat brand of humor, Augustinus studied Journalism and Television at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan where he was an editor of the university newspaper the (Ferris Torch) and writer/producer of the then popular radio show, The Adventures of E-Man.[2] While a freshman at Ferris State University Augustinus published LEONARD. During his senior year at Ferris State University Augustinus placed in an invention contest and won a cash award for a mailbox transmitter device. A certificate and cash prize was presented to Augustinus during the dedication and open house of the Manufacturing Resource and Productivity Center.[3]
An inventor, his gadgets have been featured in publications and television shows[4] (USA Today,[5] Detroit Free Press[6] Detroit Free Press[7] Detroit News[8] Cadillac Evening News[9] Detroit Free Press[10] Weekly World News[11] Detroit Free Press Magazine[12] Royal Oak Tribune[13] The Pioneer[14] The Oakland Press[15] and countless others) across the United States. He has been a copywriter, run for political office[16] hunted for treasure, appeared in over two dozen television commercials and worked toward a private pilot license. In 1991 Augustinus developed the story-line and dialogue for place mats used in over 300 McDonald's restaurants throughout Michigan, The Adventures of Tizzie Bean.[17] Additionally in '91 Augustinus landed a bit part (under five lines) in the movie Hoffa starring Jack Nicholson (Shot in Cobo Hall Arena, Detroit).[18] Augustinus is listed in the 2003 & 2004 Edition of Marquis Who's Who in America and was nominated for the Ferris State University Distinguished Alumni Award two consecutive years in a row.[19] In 1999 he was accepted into the prestigious Powerhouse Theatre Program at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. He has written for newspapers and online publications such as McSweeney's Internet Tendency and he is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. In August 2004 Augustinus was chosen by the New York City Host Committee as an "All-America" volunteer, one of only a few hundred out-of-state individuals hand selected from across the country who traveled to New York City to support the 2004 Republican National Convention.
Since the 90's publications have referred to Augustinus as a cult icon [6] due largely to his ever growing following. His grandfather is from Amsterdam.
Internet
Augustinus is one of the earliest ongoing internet audiocasters. In 1992 he broadcast his offbeat stories and poems (via the internet) using large uncompressed wav (wave) files. In 1995 Augustinus began using Real Audio due largely to the dramatic increase in speed, eventually shifting his focus to the mp3 format and Podcasting in late 2004. During 2006 comical bits produced by Augustinus were broadcast weekly on Sirius Satellite Radio.
Influences
His stepfather was a seasoned storyteller and traveling salesman for the Tool & Die industry in Detroit and (as a boy) Augustinus often accompanied him when calling on clients. According to Augustinus, it was during these times that he "learned how to tell a story."
References
- ^ Women's Hospital 3980 John R Detroit, Michigan.
- ^ Meissner, B: "The Adventures of E-Man", page 61. The Ferriscope FSU Yearbook, 1985.
- ^ Nicks, J: "Associate Director", April 13, 1987. The Ferris State University Manufacturing Resources and Productivity Center.
- ^ Fabian, D: "Just Missing Millions", PM Magazine, Nationally Syndicated Television Show. Channel 5 Saginaw, Michigan, 1986 (Search YouTube).
- ^ Horgan, D: "It's ingenuity vs. corporate big bucks", page 1B. USA TODAY, 1988.
- ^ a b Rubin, N: "Commercial cult hero's gig goes down the tubes", page 1E. Detroit Free Press, 1991.
- ^ Ratliff, R: "Sometimes the line is fine between truly oddball and true genius", page 2D. Detroit Free Press, 1990.
- ^ Manos, C: "Tribulations block the road to fame for inventive genius", page 8D. Detroit News, 1983.
- ^ Sherman, P: "21 year old invents new flying toy", page 1A. Cadillac Evening News, 1981.
- ^ Nguyen, L: "Electronic toys result from Ferris student's tinkering", page 3C. Detroit Free Press, 1984.
- ^ Donovan, D: "Model UFO builder aims for the stars", page 11. Weekly World News, 1982.
- ^ Rubin, N: "The Actor's Life Takes an Awful Lot of Confidence", page 6. Detroit Free Press Magazine, 1991.
- ^ Snyder, J: "Reganomics to flying saucers' local inventors are keeping busy", page 3. Royal Oak Tribune, 1981.
- ^ Raffel, J: "Ferris student inventor comes up with ingenious fishing method", page 4A. The Pioneer, 1986.
- ^ Fink, D: "Do-it-yourself UFO his claim to fame", page A2. The Oakland Press, 1981.
- ^ Chachere, V: "Politics Becomes Latest Chapter For Novelist-Inventor", page 2. Associated Press(AP), 2002.
- ^ Pernik-Mertz, D: "Local artist's work graces tables across the state", page 2B. Rochester Clarion, 1991.
- ^ Marci-Haney Talent Agency, Detroit, Michigan, 1991.
- ^ Mishler, J: "Ferris State University", Director Alumni Relations, Nominated 2002 and 2003.
External links
Categories:- American satirists
- American short story writers
- American podcasters
- Living people
- Ferris State University alumni
- People from Detroit, Michigan
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