“In a world…” Where he’ll be greatly missed.
Self-proclaimed “Voiceover Master”, Voice talent Don LaFontaine died Monday, Sept 1, 2008 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He died from complications from a collapsed lung.
We’ve heard Don on almost 5,000 movie trailers. He was the announcer for Entertainment Tonight and voiced for CBS, NBC, ABC, UPN, TNT, TBS and the Cartoon Network and dozens of others including announcing the Emmy and Academy Awards.
He’s voiced hundreds of thousands of commercials Chevy, Pontiac, Ford, Budweiser, McDondalds, Coca-Cola and other large corporations.
He’s been on camera in the past few years too. Most recently he’s been seen on many Geico Insurance tv commercials. Here’s a video for one of Don LaFontaine’s Geico tv commercials.
Here’s a great video profile of Don LaFontaine from Youtube. It contains a great interview, plus tour of his house and studio.
One of the web’s favorite videos of Don and other of the top voice “gods” can be found in “Five Men in a Limo” video. It’s a blast to see all these famous voices together in one car. You can watch the Don LaFontaine “Limo” video here.
Here’s another video featuring Don LaFontaine, Joe Cipriano, Mark Elliot, George Del Hoyo and others. Very informative video.
And here’s a podcast interview with Don on youtube. He speaks thoroughly about his thoughts on creating his voiceover style.
Don’s personal web site has more of his work and information: Don LaFontaine.com
Not only did Don have probably the most recognizable voice in the world, but was a friendly and fun guy about it too as seen by his many video appearances and audio interviews.
He’ll be sorely missed in so many facets of the entertainment and advertising industries and was an inspiration to thousands of voice talent.
He’s survived by his wife actress/singer Nita Whitaker and three children: Christine, Skye and Elyse.
There’s a new voice of God in Heaven.
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Sad to hear that. I agree, surely he will be missed in the entertainment and advertising industries. Definitely a lost even in the growing voice talent/artist category industry. He really is an inspiration to thousands of voice talent. Hope to hear that her children will continue the legacy of their father.
Tom,
Thank you for this wonderful post in honor of Don.
Be well,
Bob