Paul Cronin

Personal life

Born the son of a farmer in South Australia, after leaving school Cronin become a farmer himself and learned to shear sheep. He later married his wife Helen, who gave birth to four daughters including twins.

After giving up farming in South Australia, Cronin eventually found his way to Melbourne where he worked at an engineering company. It was at this time that he became a bit actor on various Crawford Productions including Division 4 and Homicide.

Professional career

After numerous bit parts, Cronin went on to appear as motorcycle policeman Gary Hogan in the Crawford Productions drama Matlock Police (1971–1975). After that series ended he continued the role in the spin-off Solo One (1976), a series continuing Hogan's motorcycle police officer exploits. The spin-off, which ran for just one 13-episode season, was aimed at children and eschewed much of the violence and adult stortlines of the original. After Matlock came the role as the central character of Dave Sullivan in the popular soap opera The Sullivans. The role as Dave Sullivan won him five Silver Logies. Cronin was crowned 1980 King of Moomba.

In 1998 Cronin replaced Channel Nine Voice Over Man Pete Smith as the replacement co-host on radio 3AW's Nightline and Remember When programs. He remained in that position filling in when either of the shows regular hosts Bruce Mansfield or Philip Brady were away. Cronin formally co-hosted Nightline on Fridays during the Non Football season. On 16 October 2008, he signed off at midnight as fill in host and Friday host (Non Football season) of 3AW's Nightline and Remember When, comedian Marty Fields replaced him.

In 2005, the retirement investment company that he and Dawn Fraser had been advertising on television for some years, collapsed and the directors fled, owing their investors millions of dollars. He and Fraser made a public apology for their unwitting contribution to the financial plight of many people.

He is the host of lifestyle program Discover Down Under that explores the caravan and camping industry in Australia. It was first aired on the Network Ten, then the Nine Network.

Other activities

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

Cronin is a member of the Patrons Council of the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria.

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