Doug Cronin was a talented actor and producer who worked in various genres of film and television. He is best known for his roles in The Black Room (1982), Chasing Dreams (1989) and Scared Straight! (1978). He was also the husband of actress Lynda Day George, who starred in Mission: Impossible and The Love Boat. Sadly, Doug Cronin passed away on December 4, 2010, at the age of 74, after a long fight with cancer. Here are some details about his life, career and death.
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Early Life and Career
Doug Cronin was born on January 29, 1936, in Okanogan, Washington, USA. He had a towering height of 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) and a deep voice that suited his imposing presence. He started his acting career in the late 1950s, appearing in small roles in TV shows such as Gunsmoke, Perry Mason and The Twilight Zone. He also acted in some low-budget movies such as The Giant Gila Monster (1959), The Killer Shrews (1959) and The Brain from Planet Arous (1957).
In the 1960s, he shifted his focus to producing and directing films. He worked with Roger Corman, the legendary producer of B-movies, on several projects such as The Wild Angels (1966), The Trip (1967) and Bloody Mama (1970). He also produced and directed his own films, such as The Black Room (1982), a horror movie starring his wife Lynda Day George, and Chasing Dreams (1989), a comedy-drama about a young baseball player.
Personal Life and Family
Doug Cronin was married three times in his life. His first wife was Carolyn Ann Tatum, whom he married on April 14, 1957. They had two children together, but divorced in September 1973. His second wife was Kathleen Diane Francis, whom he married on July 18, 1981. They divorced after a few years.
His third and final wife was Lynda Day George, whom he married on March 17, 1990. They met on the set of The Black Room, where they played a married couple who discover a secret chamber in their basement that unleashes evil forces. They fell in love and remained together until his death. Doug Cronin was the stepfather of Lynda Day George’s two children from her previous marriage to actor Christopher George.
Cancer Diagnosis and Death
Doug Cronin was diagnosed with cancer in the late 2000s. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but the disease proved to be terminal. He spent his last days at his home in Sequim, Washington, surrounded by his family and friends. He died on December 4, 2010, at the age of 74.
According to IMDb, his cause of death was cancer. His wife Lynda Day George confirmed his death in an interview with People magazine, saying that he “fought valiantly” and that he was “a wonderful man”. She also said that they had a “very happy marriage” and that they shared a love for animals and nature.
Doug Cronin was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean. He is survived by his wife Lynda Day George, his two children from his first marriage, his two stepchildren from his third marriage, and several grandchildren.
Legacy and Tributes
Doug Cronin was a versatile actor and producer who contributed to the entertainment industry for over five decades. He worked with some of the most influential filmmakers of his time, such as Roger Corman, Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese. He also supported his wife’s career and appeared with her in several TV shows and movies.
He was remembered by his fans and colleagues as a kind, generous and talented person who had a passion for life. His wife Lynda Day George said that he was “a very special human being” who had “a great sense of humor” and “a big heart”. She also said that he was “a great lover of animals” who rescued many dogs and cats over the years.
Some of the tributes that were paid to him after his death include:
- A memorial service was held for him at the Sequim Community Church on December 11, 2010.
- His obituary was published in several newspapers and websites .
- His fans created online memorial pages for him on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter .
- His filmography and biography were updated on IMDband Wikipedia.
- His wife Lynda Day George dedicated her book A New Leash on Life: The Story of a Prairie Dog Who Survived to him. The book, which was published in 2011, tells the story of how they adopted a prairie dog named P.D. who had been shot and left for dead. The book also includes photos of Doug Cronin and their other pets.
