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David Peter Cradick, professionally known as Kidd Kraddick, was a prominent American radio host and television personality. Born in Napoleon, Ohio, he spent most of his early life in Dunedin, Florida. His first radio position was in Tampa, Florida, which marked the beginning of a dynamic broadcasting career.
As a young professional, Kraddick held radio positions in various cities across the United States, including Fresno, California (KYNO-FM); Miami, Florida; Salt Lake City, Utah (KAYK and KLRZ); and Los Angeles, California (KHTZ). While in Los Angeles, he also served as a master of ceremonies at comedy clubs, showcasing his flair for entertainment even beyond the radio booth.
In 1984, Kraddick relocated to Dallas, Texas, where he took over the night shift on KEGL 97.1 FM, popularly known as "The Eagle." The station had just adopted a Top 40 format, and Kraddick quickly established a devoted listening audience. In 1990, the United States Junior Chamber named him one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans—a notable recognition early in his career.
After KEGL shifted its format to Modern Rock in 1992, Kraddick was released from his contract. Following an eight-month break from broadcasting, he returned to morning radio on KHKS-FM 106.1 "Kiss-FM" in Dallas-Fort Worth. His success there was significant: he won the prestigious Marconi Award for Major Market Radio Personality of the Year in 1998, followed by the Air Personality of the Year honor at the 1999 Radio Music Awards.
By 2001, Kraddick had begun syndicating his morning show, moving its production to an independent studio in Las Colinas, Texas. His contributions to broadcasting were later honored by his induction into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and, posthumously in 2016, into the National Radio Hall of Fame.
Kidd Kraddick in the Morning originally aired as a local Dallas radio show, later growing into a nationally syndicated program broadcast in more than 75 markets and to American military personnel through the American Forces Radio Network. The show ran weekdays from 5:00–10:00 a.m. Central Time and became known for its sharply produced segments, humor, and engaging cast.
Kraddick was widely recognized for improvising and voicing a variety of characters using voice-altering technology. Among his more popular personas were "Must Be Nice Guy," Rhonda from Potluck, Texas, and an impersonation of Kinsey, wife of co-host J-Si Chavez. After his passing in 2013, the show continued as The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show, helmed by the remaining cast members—Kellie Rasberry, Alaric "Big Al" Mack, Jose "J-Si" Chavez, and Jenna Owens.
Kraddick married his first wife, Carol, in 1986 when he was 27 and she was 22. The couple welcomed one daughter during their marriage. They separated in 2007 and finalized their divorce in 2008. Though they shared a long history, including knowing each other since Carol’s senior year of high school, they experienced growing estrangement over time and did not live together for several years leading up to the divorce.
In interviews and on-air reflections, Kraddick publicly accepted responsibility for much of the tension in the marriage, describing himself as egoistic, stubborn, and overly emotional. He attributed additional strain to the pressures of his career and expressed a desire to maintain a healthy co-parenting relationship with Carol for the benefit of their daughter.
In 2011, Kraddick revealed he was in a relationship with Lissi Mullen, a woman 21 years his junior. The couple had dated for around two years, and he proposed to her at the age of 53. That same year, Kraddick disclosed that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma in 2009, a condition he kept private from most family members and colleagues. He underwent treatment between 2011 and 2012 and was reportedly in recovery during the early 2010s.
On July 27, 2013, Kraddick passed away at the age of 53 while attending a fundraising event for his charity, Kidd’s Kids, at Timberlane Country Club in Gretna, Louisiana. According to Jefferson Parish Deputy Coroner Granville Morse, Kraddick’s death was due to arteriosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. An autopsy revealed an enlarged heart, three diseased arteries, and one artery that was 80 percent blocked. Drug use and foul play were ruled out.
Following his death, Kraddick's daughter inherited the condominium in which he had been living with Lissi Mullen. Reports indicate that she requested Mullen vacate the property shortly after his passing. These posthumous family tensions were said to stem in part from discomfort over the age difference between Kraddick and Mullen, an issue Kraddick had previously addressed during his show in an apologetic tone aimed at his daughter.
Carol maintained her privacy during and after their separation, choosing not to comment publicly on the matter or on Kraddick’s health issues. According to public accounts, communication between the former spouses was limited, even when he announced his illness. Kraddick admitted on air that he was often alone after the separation and had hoped for a more amicable relationship with Carol.
Information regarding Lissi Mullen’s life following Kraddick’s death remains largely private. Carol has not publicly pursued new relationships or remarriage since the separation.
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