- Adrian Cronauer
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Cronauer redirects here. See Gail Cronauer for the actress with the same last name
Cronauer in 2006
Adrian Cronauer (born September 8, 1938 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a former United States Air Force sergeant and radio personality best known as the inspiration for the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam in which he was portrayed by Robin Williams.[1][2]
Contents
Background in radio
Cronauer began his broadcasting career at the age of 12, as a guest for a Pittsburgh-area children's amateur hour.[3] He attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he helped found the forerunner of the university's college radio station WPTS.
Military service
Cronauer co-wrote the original story for the film Good Morning, Vietnam, which was based on his experiences in the Vietnam War, where he served from 1965 to 1966.[4] His program was known as the "Dawn Buster". A subsequent special program on National Public Radio about the role of the American Forces Vietnam Network -- AFVN -- (military radio and television) earned Cronauer a 1992 Ohio State Award and two 1991 Gold Medals from the New York Radio Festival.
Personal life
Cronauer earned a master's degree in Media Studies from the New School for Social Research in New York City and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Cronauer's law practice concentrated in information and communications law. He was also the head of an advertising agency. Later he worked as a special assistant to the Director of the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office.[5][6]
Cronauer is a member of Mensa[3]. He is also—contrary to Robin Williams' portrayal—a "lifelong card-carrying Republican", having taken an "active role" in both Bob Dole's 1996 and George W. Bush's 2004 Presidential campaigns.[7]
Notes
- ^ The Real Life of Adrian Cronauer
- ^ Adrian Cronauer: Air Force Radio Announcer in Vietnam at HistoryNet.com
- ^ a b Famous and Prominent Mensans
- ^ Film & History: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Film and Television Studies 34.1 (2004) 10-11
- ^ ""Good Morning, Vietnam's" Adrian Cronauer speaks to reservists". United States Air Force. 2008-04-11. http://www.afrc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123093448. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
- ^ Adrian Cronauer is Conference Speaker!
- ^ "The real life of Adrian Cronauer". Urgent Communications. 2005-03-01. http://urgentcomm.com/mag/radio_real_life_adrian/. Retrieved 2011-09-10.
Categories:- American military personnel of the Vietnam War
- American radio personalities
- People from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- United States Air Force airmen
- Washington, D.C. lawyers
- The New School alumni
- American Legion
- Knights Templar
- University of Pennsylvania Law School alumni
- 1938 births
- Living people
- University of Pittsburgh alumni
- American radio people stubs
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