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Vale: Paul Cronin

Actor Paul Cronin, best known as TV's Dave Sullivan, has died.

Actor Paul Cronin, best known as TV’s Dave Sullivan, has died, aged 81.

He died surrounded by his four daughters and grandchildren on Friday night, according to the Herald Sun.

“He was the most wonderful father, he was protective, he would have done everything for his girls. We loved him so much, he adored mum so much,” daughter Susanne said.

Cronin played patriarch Dave Sullivan on The Sullivans across the entire run of the Nine series, from 1976 – 1983.

But he had previously enjoyed a lengthy run in Matlock Police as Sen. Const. Gary Hogan from 1971 – 1976 which led to a starring role in spin-off series Solo One.

Other TV credits included Homicide, Division 4, The Flying Doctors, A Place to Call Home, and State Coroner.

Cronin won Silver Logie five times, and was crowned King of Moomba in 1980.

He also enjoyed a radio broadcasting role on 3AW and ran a family retailing business.

3AW Operations Manager Stephen Beers today said “Paul was a great presenter in the 3AW family and will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered as our first host of Remember When”.

In the early 1980s and he left Remember When but he returned to 3AW in 1999 to again co-host Remember When and also Nightline as a fill in host whenever Bruce Mansfield or Philip Brady were away.

Cronin got his start with Crawford Productions.

“The story goes he was watching TV one night with mum and he said ‘I reckon I could do that’, and she said, ‘why don’t you?’. He got a walk on role in one of the Crawford Productions and then he got Matlock and the rest is history,” Susanne said.

9 Responses

  1. At 81, Paul was just one year older than my Dad, which means that like Lorraine Bayly as Grace he was playing older as Dave Sullivan. It was such a privledge to grow up with the wonderful shows he was a part of. I’m very saddened by this news. RIP Mr Cronin.

  2. A great Aussie actor and familiar face for a generation of viewers. Paul Cronin really made his mark. A great achievement to be beloved for at least three successful shows. Much loved.

  3. For many of us he was the hero on the tele that rode a motorbike, then in the Sullivans as the head of the family. One of my favorite actors. RIP Mr Cronin, thanks for chats and the help at your hardware store in Dandy. Condolences to the family.

  4. Before he was Dave Sullivan, in our house he was a legend known as “Gary with the motorcycle” 🙂 He then became Australia’s Dad.
    I was lucky enough to have met him several times through work and he was as down to earth and delightful off screen as he was on screen.
    Vale Gary, Dave, Paul.
    Deepest condolences to those who loved him.

  5. Only this morning we spoke about whether a Sullivan’s reboot in the current climate might happen. That’s one less cast member. Such an iconic role!

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