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Cuba Gooding Jr (l) with James Robert Kennedy, whose true story inspired the uplifting drama RADIO
Radio - 2003
James “Radio” Kennedy, who was the inspiration behind the movie, “Radio,” starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. — has died. Radio, who was mentally challenged, got his nickname because he was rarely seen without his rusty, trusty transistor radio.He was an unofficial 11th grader at T.L. Hanna High School since 1965, where he attended football games and often led the team onto the field.The 2013 movie highlighted how the town of Anderson, South Carolina accepted him.Football coach Harold Jones confirmed Radio’s death, saying, “He was just a fine man. We all loved him. We will miss him incredibly.”According to TMZ, Radio had been ill and had been in the hospital for quite a while. He had been recently moved to a hospice facility.Radio, who was inducted into T.L. Hanna Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016, struggled with various health issues, including pancreatitis, diabetes and kidney issues.
He was 73. Rest easy, Radio.
