Adrian Cronauer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adrian Cronauer
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Cronauer in 1999
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| Born |
Adrian Joseph Cronauer
September 8, 1938 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Died | July 18, 2018 (aged 79) Troutville, Virginia, U.S.
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| Resting place | Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery, Dublin, Virginia, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Pittsburgh |
| Occupation | Radio personality, lawyer |
| Known for | Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) |
| Spouse(s) |
Jeane Steppe
(m. 1980; |
| Children | 2 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1963–1967 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards |
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Adrian Joseph Cronauer (September 8, 1938 – July 18, 2018) was an American Air Force Sergeant and radio host. He is best known for his time as a disc jockey during the Vietnam War. His experiences inspired the 1987 movie Good Morning, Vietnam, which starred Robin Williams.
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Early Life and Broadcasting Beginnings
Adrian Cronauer was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father worked in a steel mill, and his mother was a teacher.
He started his broadcasting career very young, at age 12. He was a regular guest on a children's radio show in Pittsburgh. Later, he attended the University of Pittsburgh. There, he helped start the school's first student radio station, which is now WPTS-FM.
Military Service and Famous Greeting
In the early 1960s, Cronauer joined the United States Air Force. He chose to work in broadcasting and media. He served from 1963 to 1967 and became a Sergeant.
He first worked on training films. Then, he was stationed for a year and a half in Crete, Greece. In 1965, he volunteered to go to Vietnam because he wanted to travel.
In Vietnam, he became the news director for Armed Forces Radio in Saigon. Soon after, he took over the morning show, called Dawn Buster. It started at 6 a.m. He began his show with the famous greeting: "Goooooood morning Vietnam!" This phrase became well-known because of the movie. Even after Cronauer left Vietnam in 1966, other DJs, like Pat Sajak, continued to use his greeting.
Good Morning, Vietnam Movie
In the late 1970s, Adrian Cronauer had an idea for a TV show. It was inspired by his time in Vietnam. He tried to sell his idea, but it didn't work at first.
A few years later, he suggested making a TV movie. A friend's agent shared the idea with actor Robin Williams. Williams liked the idea so much that he wanted to make it into a full movie, starring himself.
However, Cronauer said that much of the movie was not like his real life. For example, he was not a rebellious person. He also did not teach swear words or street slang. He was never in a Jeep hit by a land mine, but he did see a restaurant bombed near the radio station. He once said that if he had done some of the things shown in the movie, he would have been in serious trouble.
The movie was directed by Barry Levinson. The director did not want Robin Williams and Cronauer to meet before the movie was finished. This was so Williams would not try to copy Cronauer's actions or voice.
Life After Vietnam
The money Cronauer earned from the movie helped him go to law school. He earned a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He then started his own law firm, focusing on information and communications law.
He also worked to help veterans. During President George W. Bush's time in office, Cronauer advised the Defense Department's office for POW-MIA issues. He traveled a lot, giving interviews and speeches. He became a popular speaker and appeared on many TV and radio shows. He also wrote commentaries for newspapers.
Later in his life, there were some legal issues regarding his law practice. He decided to stop practicing law.
Later Years and Passing
Adrian Cronauer passed away on July 18, 2018. He was 79 years old. He lived in Troutville, Virginia at the time of his death.
He was married to Jeane Cronauer, who passed away in 2016. He was also a member of Mensa, a group for people with high IQs.
Images for kids
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Adrian Cronauer's grave site.
See Also
- Good Morning, Vietnam
