Dick Orkin
Encyclopedia
Dick Orkin is an award-winning voice actor and commercial radio producer who created the series Chickenman
and The Secret Adventures of the Tooth Fairy. His voice has been used in many radio advertisements and public-service announcements.
Born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania
, Orkin received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Theater from Franklin and Marshall College. He received a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the Phillips Graduate Institute, and attended Yale Drama School
, studying for a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theater.
Orkin began working in advertising in Chicago
in 1973. He gained acclaim with his comedy radio commercials for Time Magazine, GMAC, The Gap and other clients. His radio spots, mini dramas dubbed by Newsweek
as "The Advertising Theater of the Absurd," have won many awards.
Orkin and Christine Coyle co-wrote two animated specials for CBS, Christmas Every Day and The Canterville Ghost. Orkin and Coyle are the founders of Radio Ranch.
Orkin is married and has four children.
, the Illinois Broadcasters Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Radio Advertising Bureau Hall of Fame.
On January 21, 2010, Orkin wrote to the National Association of Broadcasters requesting them to remove his name from the Hall of Fame because he did not wish to share the honor with Rush Limbaugh. According to Orkin, Limbaugh showed "reckless insensitivity" with his remarks regarding the 2010 Haiti earthquake
. Orkin referred to Limbaugh as a "dangerous hate-monger" and a "perfidious human being".
Chicken Man (radio series)
Chickenman is an American radio series that spoofs comic book heroes. It was created in the mid 1960s by Dick Orkin, who at the time was a production director at WCFL in Chicago, Illinois. Its famous catch-phrase is, "He's everywhere! He's everywhere!"...
and The Secret Adventures of the Tooth Fairy. His voice has been used in many radio advertisements and public-service announcements.
Born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Williamsport is a city in and the county seat of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. In 2009, the population was estimated at 29,304...
, Orkin received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Theater from Franklin and Marshall College. He received a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the Phillips Graduate Institute, and attended Yale Drama School
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, studying for a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theater.
Orkin began working in advertising in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in 1973. He gained acclaim with his comedy radio commercials for Time Magazine, GMAC, The Gap and other clients. His radio spots, mini dramas dubbed by Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
as "The Advertising Theater of the Absurd," have won many awards.
Orkin and Christine Coyle co-wrote two animated specials for CBS, Christmas Every Day and The Canterville Ghost. Orkin and Coyle are the founders of Radio Ranch.
Orkin is married and has four children.
Honors
Orkin has been inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of FameNational Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame
The NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame is a yearly honor from the National Association of Broadcasters. One inductee from radio and one from television are named at the yearly NAB conference.-Radio:*2011 * 2010 Ron Chapman* 2009 Vin Scully* 2008 Larry Lujack...
, the Illinois Broadcasters Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Radio Advertising Bureau Hall of Fame.
On January 21, 2010, Orkin wrote to the National Association of Broadcasters requesting them to remove his name from the Hall of Fame because he did not wish to share the honor with Rush Limbaugh. According to Orkin, Limbaugh showed "reckless insensitivity" with his remarks regarding the 2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks...
. Orkin referred to Limbaugh as a "dangerous hate-monger" and a "perfidious human being".