Harry Austin "Pete" Peterson (July 10, 1906 – June 11, 2015) was an American screenwriter, cartoonist, and radio program director.

Early life and career

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Austin Peterson was born in Palo Alto, California, on July 10, 1906, to Harry and Lillian Peterson. His journalistic career began in the late 1920s, when he worked as a cartoonist for newspapers such as San Francisco Call and Los Angeles Herald.[1] Starting from 1933, he worked as a producer and writer for the now-defunct radio station KFRC. He also wrote for the show The Packard Show, starring Hollywood actor and dancer Fred Astaire.[2][3]

He was the program director of the Armed Forces Radio during World War II. Other jobs include working on the television show The Colgate Comedy Hour.[4]

Later life and death

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Peterson wrote an autobiography called Television is a young man's game? I'm 94. Why didn't somebody tell me?, which was published in the year 2000.[5] He also wrote a travel guide on several Pacific islands, including Tahiti.[6] His longevity was highlighted well into his centenarian years. He died on June 11, 2015, at the age of 108.

References

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  1. ^ "Pete, the Rookie". The Comics Journal. October 16, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  2. ^ "Austin Peterson, 107, is among rare centenarians". The Desert Sun. May 26, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  3. ^ "Putting Taps and Dead-Pan on The Air". Democrat and Chronicle. April 11, 1937. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  4. ^ "Our Respects To" (PDF). American Radio History. December 8, 1947. pp. 50–52. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  5. ^ Peterson, Austin (2000). Television is a young man's game? I'm 94. Why didn't somebody tell me?. iUniverse. ISBN 978-0595142545.
  6. ^ "Club Will Hear Ad Council's Executive". Arizona Daily Star. February 7, 1966. Retrieved September 5, 2017.