Orville Redenbacher was an American food scientist and businessman most often associated with the brand of popcorn that bears his name. He graduated from Purdue University with a degree in agronomy and spent his life perfecting a lighter, fluffier popcorn hybrid. Alongside his business partner Charles F. Bowman, he launched their successful gourmet popcorn brand in 1970. Redenbacher became a familiar face in commercials for his product, solidifying his image as the friendly 'popcorn king'.