Paul Herlinger (May 1, 1929 – February 2, 2010) was an American
voice actor
Voice acting is the art of Acting, performing a character or providing information to an audience with one's voice. Performers are often called voice actors/actresses in addition to other names. Examples of voice work include animation, animated, ...
, best known for his role as
John Avery "Whit" Whittaker on the radio drama, ''
Adventures in Odyssey
''Adventures in Odyssey'' (AIO), or simply ''Odyssey'', is an Evangelical Christian radio drama and Radio comedy, comedy series created and produced by Focus on the Family. Aimed at families with children age 12 and younger, the series first air ...
'' (1996–2008). He began in that role soon after
Hal Smith died in 1994, and he also voiced Whit on the
''Adventures in Odyssey'' video series and
Adventures in Odyssey video games. In 2008, he retired due to health conditions. Herlinger also did voice work for dozens of
PBS
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcaster and non-commercial, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly funded nonprofit organization and the most prominent provider of educat ...
documentaries
A documentary film (often described simply as a documentary) is a nonfiction motion picture intended to "document reality, primarily for instruction, education or maintaining a historical record". The American author and media analyst Bill ...
,
commercials
A television advertisement (also called a commercial, spot, break, advert, or ad) is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization. It conveys a message promoting, and aiming to market, a product, service or idea. ...
, and films.
He began his career in radio production via an all-city, three-day-a-week program in 1945 while attending
Stuyvesant High School
Stuyvesant High School ( ) is a co-ed, State school, public, college-preparatory, Specialized high schools in New York City, specialized high school in Manhattan, New York City. The school, commonly called "Stuy" ( ) by its students, faculty, a ...
in New York. After two years at
New York University
New York University (NYU) is a private university, private research university in New York City, New York, United States. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded in 1832 by Albert Gallatin as a Nondenominational ...
, Paul served in the United States Marine Corps. This was followed by his completion of a Master of Arts at the
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...
where he met Ilona Planken, whom he married on September 1, 1956. He spent 25 years in commercial television before working for public television, where he was able to produce and narrate documentaries which aired locally and nationally.
Herlinger was a voice actor for ''Adventures in Odyssey'' for 12 years. His major role on the show was the voice of John Avery Whittaker from 1996 to 2008. He died on February 2, 2010.
Herlinger also narrated a documentary which aired nationally on public television stations titled ''As Close As Your Dare-Africa.''
References
External links
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Paul Herlingerat ''The Soda Fountain''
1929 births
2010 deaths
American male radio actors
American male voice actors
Male actors from New York City
Television producers from New York City
University of Michigan alumni
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