Paul Cronin

Paul Cronin (8 July 1938 – 13 September 2019)[2] was an Australian actor who played roles in the Australian television series Matlock Police and The Sullivans. He won the Silver Logie five times, including three years consecutively from 1978, the most awarded actor in Australia, alongside Martin Sacks.[3]

For other people named Paul Cronin, see Paul Cronin (disambiguation).

Paul Cronin
Born(1938-07-08)8 July 1938
Jamestown, South Australia,[1] Australia
Died13 September 2019(2019-09-13) (aged 81)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
OccupationActor
Spouse(s)Helen[1]
Children4

He was born to a farming family in Wistow, South Australia in 1938. As a young man Cronin moved to Melbourne where he worked in a variety of jobs. After actively seeking an acting career, he performed in various Crawford Productions including Division 4 and Homicide. Cronin appeared as motorcycle policeman Gary Hogan in the Crawford Productions drama Matlock Police (1971–1976), followed by its spin-off Solo One (1976). He played the central character of Dave Sullivan in the popular soap opera The Sullivans from 1976 to 1983.

In 1986 Cronin led a consortium with Christopher Skase which was awarded the inaugural licence for the Brisbane Bears in the then-Victorian Football League. He was president of the club from 1987-1989.

Personal life

Cronin was born in 1938 in Jamestown, South Australia, and grew up in a farming family.[4] After leaving school, Cronin became a farmer himself. He later married his wife Helen, who gave birth to four daughters including twins.[1]

As an athlete he had participated in the 1958 Commonwealth Games competing in the four x 100m relay.[5] He was a state runner and also a champion gymnast.[6][7]

Cronin eventually moved to Melbourne where he worked as a truck driver and a draftsman.[7] It was at this time that he acted in various Crawford Productions including Division 4 and Homicide.[6]

His wife Helen died in 2013.[6]

Career

After playing several small roles, in 1971, Cronin appeared as motorcycle policeman Gary Hogan in the Crawford Productions drama Matlock Police (1971–1976).[4] After that series ended he continued the role in the spin-off Solo One (1976), a series continuing Hogan's motorcycle police officer exploits.[8][5]

After Matlock came the role as the central character of Dave Sullivan, a family patriarch in the soap opera The Sullivans.[5] He worked in The Sullivans from 1976 to 1983.[4] The role as Dave Sullivan won him five Silver Logies.

In the 1980s he appeared in a series of television advertisements against drunk driving with a tagline question "Would you let a friend drive home if he's had too much to drink?".[7]

In 1998 Cronin replaced Channel Nine voice-over man Pete Smith as the alternative co-host on radio 3AW's Nightline and Remember When programs.[9]

He was the host of lifestyle program Discover Downunder, which explores the caravan and camping industry in Australia. It was first aired on Network Ten, then the Nine Network.[9]

Other activities

Cronin had a strong interest in Australian rules football.[4] In 1986 he led a consortium with Christopher Skase which was awarded the inaugural licence for the Brisbane Bears in the then-Victorian Football League. The club's creation was a major step in the Victorian league becoming the national Australian Football League. He was president of the club from 1987-1989.[10][11][12]

He was a member of the Patrons Council of the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria.[13]

Awards

He won the Silver Logie for best actor five times, including three years consecutively from 1978, making him the equal most awarded actor in Australia, alongside Martin Sacks.[3] In 1980, he was given the title of the "King of Moomba", a community festival celebrated in Melbourne.[7][14]

Select credits
Year Title Role Notes
1970Division 4Const. Thompson / Constable Pryor / Groomsman / Crime car squad detective / Detective / Constable / Arson squad detective / Const. Baker8 episodes[15]
1970HomicideConst. Parker / Det. Evans / Constable 13 episodes[6]
1971-1976Matlock PoliceSen. Const. Gary Hogan228 episodes[6]
1976Solo One13 episodes[5]
1976-1983The SullivansDave Sullivan1077 episodes[6]
1984Matthew and SonMatthew CaineTV movie[5]
1987A Place to Call HomeBob JakesTV movie[5]
1987The Daryl Somers ShowHimself1 episode[5]
1990The Flying DoctorsJock WeatherheadEpisode: "A Place Where You Belong"[6]
1990The Far Country[5]
1991Burke's BackyardHimself - Celebrity Gardener1 episode
1993The Late ShowDave Sullivan1 episode[5]
1995FrontlineLloyd WalshEpisode: "Give 'em Enough Rope"[16]
1997State CoronerTed AmesEpisode: "Starting with a Bang"[17](final appearance)
2006TemptationHimselfEpisode: "Superchallenge: Heat 1"
2008The HollowmenHimselfEpisode: "Vulnerable to Attack"[18]

References
  1. "Talking Heads - Paul Cronin". abc.net.au. Archived from the original on 30 March 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  2. "Australian TV legend Paul Cronin dies, aged 81". 7NEWS.com.au. 14 September 2019.
  3. "Tributes flow for Paul Cronin, actor who helped bring AFL to Queensland". ABC News. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  4. "'Great actor, great guy': Paul Cronin dies at 81". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  5. Moran, Albert; Keating, Chris (2009). The A to Z of Australian Radio and Television. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810870222. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  6. "Australian television icon Paul Cronin has died aged 81". NewsComAu. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  7. "Australian TV legend Paul Cronin dies aged 81: Iconic actor and passionate AFL supporter who starred in The Sullivans passes away surrounded by his four daughters and grandchildren". www.msn.com. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  8. "Paul Cronin celebrated as 'one of our best ever'". celebrity.nine.com.au. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  9. "The Sullivans star Paul Cronin dies aged 81: Tributes pour in for TV legend". Starts at 60. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  10. "Qld Footy". Qld Footy. 30 March 2012. Archived from the original on 25 January 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  11. Pierik, Jon (31 March 2011). "Suns can win and Bear it | Campbelltown-Macarthur Advertiser". Macarthuradvertiser.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  12. Archived 22 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  13. "Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria Partners & Supporters. Retrieved 24 May 2014". Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  14. PDF pp 17-22 Craig Bellamy, Gordon Chisholm, Hilary Eriksen (17 Feb 2006) "Moomba: A festival for the people" Archived 28 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  15. "Australian actor Paul Cronin, star of The Sullivans, dies at 81". the Guardian. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  16. "Australian Television: Frontline: episode guide: series 2". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  17. "Australian actor Paul Cronin dies aged 81". 14 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  18. "Australian Television: The Hollowmen: episode guide: series 2". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
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