Norm Augustinus
Norm Augustinus | |
|---|---|
 Augustinus circa 2013 | |
| Born | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Notable works | Cats and Dogs |
Norman Theodoor Augustinus Jr is an American writer.
Early life
[edit]Augustinus was born in the Hutzel Women's Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.[citation needed] He is the son of Levontina Melnyk and Norman Augustinus Sr. His grandfather Bart Theodoor Augustinus was born in Amsterdam, but left the Netherlands in 1922 entering the US by way of the Vermont, St. Albans Canadian Crossing.[1] Augustinus never met his biological father, but at the age of ten his mother remarried.
Career
[edit]A writer of humor, Augustinus studied Journalism and Communications at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan where he was an editor of the university newspaper the (Ferris Torch) and writer/producer of the radio show, The Adventures of E-Man.[2] While a freshman at Ferris State University Augustinus published LEONARD. During his senior year at Ferris State University Augustinus placed in an invention contest and won a cash award for a mailbox transmitter device. A certificate and cash prize was presented to Augustinus during the dedication and open house of the Manufacturing Resource and Productivity Center.[3]
An inventor, his gadgets have been featured in publications and television shows.[4]
Augustinus' 'iPhone Colon Exam' invention/video was cited on the patent by Patrick O'Neil, the inventor of the iPhone olloclip which has sold over 1.5 million units worldwide.[5][6]
He has been a copywriter, run for political office,[7] and appeared in over three dozen television commercials. In 1991 Augustinus developed the story-line and dialogue for place mats used in over 300 McDonald's restaurants throughout Michigan, The Adventures of Tizzie Bean.[8] Additionally, Augustinus landed a bit part (under five lines) in the movie Hoffa starring Jack Nicholson (Shot in Cobo Hall Arena, Detroit).[9] Augustinus is listed in the 2003 & 2004 Edition of Marquis Who's Who in America and was nominated for the Ferris State University Distinguished Alumni Award two consecutive years in a row.[10] In 1999 he was accepted into the Powerhouse Theatre Program at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. He has written for newspapers and online publications such as McSweeney's Internet Tendency and he is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Screen Actor's Guild/American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG - AFTRA) and Actors' Equity (AEA).[citation needed]
In March 2013 Roll Call, published a story about an animated cartoon Augustinus created and posted on his website with regards to the Obama administration.[11] The cartoon depicted several high-ranking members of the Obama administration being laser beamed into nonexistence by a drone. The cartoon, and subsequent claims by the artist that he was emailed by the United States Secret Service, prompted a visit from them.[12]
In 2014 and 2015 Augustinus protested near Columbus Circle Manhattan[13] holding large, worded banners in support of the New York City horse carriage industry, which Bill de Blasio vowed to end immediately upon being elected NYC mayor.[14] Augustinus was one of the people thanked by the Teamsters for his support in a full page notice/ad published in the New York Daily News on January 1, 2016.[15]
Internet
[edit]
Augustinus is one of the earliest podcasters.[citation needed] In 1992 he broadcast his offbeat stories and poems (via the internet) using large uncompressed wav (wave) files.[citation needed] In 1995 Augustinus began using RealAudio due largely to the dramatic increase in speed, eventually shifting his focus to the mp3 format and Podcasting in late 2004.
Personal life
[edit]Augustinus writes daily and performs his stand-up comedy routine regularly. His novel, 'Cats and Dogs' (ISBN 978-0615596907) was an Amazon Humor Best Seller (#8), in February 2013.[citation needed] His novel 'Bedbadger' (ISBN 978-0615759753) was released January 21, 2013.[citation needed]
On August 26, 2015, while driving through Michigan, Augustinus saw a Jeep Cherokee lose control and roll over several times off I-75. Augustinus ran to the car and pulled two children from the smoking, overturned vehicle.[16] On October 9, 2015, Augustinus was nominated for the Carnegie Hero Medal.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ Augustinus, Bart (1922-09-22). "Manifests Of Passengers arriving In The St. Albans, Vermont District Through Canadian Ports (Page 445, Line 29)". Family Search. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Meissner, B: "The Adventures of E-Man", page 61. The Ferriscope FSU Yearbook, 1985.
- ^ Nicks, J: "Associate Director", April 13, 1987. The Ferris State University Manufacturing Resources and Productivity Center.
- ^ Fabian, D: "Just Missing Millions", PM Magazine, Nationally Syndicated Television Show. Channel 5 Saginaw, Michigan, 1986.
- ^ USD763340S1, O'Neill, Patrick D.; Pak, Chong & Cantor, Joshua et al., "Optical component", issued 2016-08-09
- ^ O'neill, Patrict (2016-04-16). "The Man Who Bet His House On His Mobile Phone Invention". BBC. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Chachere, V: "Politics Becomes Latest Chapter For Novelist-Inventor", page 2. Associated Press(AP), 2002.
- ^ Pernik-Mertz, D: "Local artist's work graces tables across the state", page 2B. Rochester Clarion, 1991.
- ^ Marci-Haney Talent Agency, Detroit, Michigan, 1991.
- ^ Mishler, J: "Ferris State University", Director Alumni Relations, Nominated 2002 and 2003.
- ^ Rojas, Warren (2013-03-20). "Satirist Spooked By Would-Be Watchdog". Roll Call. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Weigel, David (2013-03-27). "The Cartoonist And The Mystery agent". Slate. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Oh, Inae (2014-03-26). "Man Demonstrates The Worst Way To Support New York's Horse Carriage Industry". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Merlan, Anna (2014-03-25). "A Chat With Norm Augustinus, the Guy Holding the "Die de Blasio Die" Banner at Columbus Circle [Updated]". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Hansen, Christina (2016-01-01). "Thank You". CarriageOn. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Devereaux, Brad (2015-08-27). "Man pulls kids out of SUV that flips '10 times' on I-75 in Bay County". mlive. Retrieved 2024-11-07.