Frederick C. Peerenboom

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Frederick C. Peerenboom (born December 27, 1934 in Nekoosa, Wisconsin), better known as Fritz the Nite Owl, is a radio and television personality in Columbus, Ohio. Fritz is best known for hosting "Nite Owl Theatre" on WBNS-TV from 1974-1991, during which he would add improvised humorous commentaries over jazz music to the commercial bumps leading from the feature film to the commercial breaks. Along with these commentaries, his unique visual intros, mid-breaks, and closes helped him win 5 EMMY AWARDS for his TV Performances. He currently hosts "Night Owl Jazz" Sunday nights on WJZA-WJZK-FM, 103.5 and l04.3 on the dial. His show, "Nite Owl Jazz: What's New in Jazz for the 21st Century," is now in its 17th consecutive year. His professional radio career on commercial radio began in 1959 after his honorable discharge as a Spec-5 in the U.S.Army Signal Corps. While in the Army, he was stationed at the Signal Corps Pictorial Center (formerly the Paramount Studios New York facility). Here, he narrated, acted in, and wrote numerous Army Promotional and Training Films, and expanded his knowledge of the visual techniques and effects that could be created on TV, which he subsequently used on his TV show. At this time, no one else approached TV-movie-hosting in this completely new visual style. In addition, he made a few visual appearances in the DC comic book, "The Power Of Shazam!" in which he helped Captain Marvel and Superman save the universe. Among his many freelance narrations and acting performances, he was the voice of "Green Lantern" in the short-lived Warner Video Comics series.