Don LaFontaine, James Earl Jones, John O'Hurley, Zeus, Scott Shannon and Don Pardo. What do all of these men have in common? Every one of them is know for their voice. Don LaFontaine was Mr. Movie voice, he died on labor day. James Earl Jones is the voice of CNN (yes, he's the guy who says in that deep voice "This is CNN") and probably more famously Darth Vader in Star Wars among other roles in a variety of movies. John O'Hurley is one you may not know that well he played Peterman in Seinfeld (Elaine's boss), he's also done a lot of other TV and radio voice work. Zeus, is another one a lot of people have not heard of, works for radio and TV and once you know his voice you always recognize it. Scott Shannon, he's currently working in New York doing a variety of voice work and is probably best known for starting the Z format of radio. Don Pardo, however, is in a league all his own.
Don Pardo was born in 1918. In 1944 he joined NBC as a live on-air voice talent. It was his voice on Novemeber 22, 1963 that broke the news that President Kennedy had been shot. He announced for several game shows on NBC including Jepoardy, until the orginal run ended in 1975. He has been lending his now famous pipes to NBC's Saturday Night Live since it began in 1975. In 2008, despite having retired in 2004 Don celebrated his 90th birthday on the air (at the end of the Tina Fey/Carrie Underwood Episode). NBC flies Pardo from his home in Arizona to New York every week in order to have him live at the SNL studios. Pardo still voices SNL and is considered the last of the lifetime employee's that NBC has. I have had the chance to listen to a couple of interviews involving Pardo. He says he can no longer say the word "Live" correctly because of the number of how he says it for SNL. He says it in what many characterize as classic "puke" radio voice. It will be a sad day when Don finally signs off, whether that will be from a real retirement or from death it will be a very sad day.
I talked about this a little earlier but I want to re-mention it here. Radio, television and film lost a great voice talent earlier this week. Don LaFontaine died September 1st. He has lent his voice talent to thousands of movie trailers, commercials and promotions. His trademark line was "In a world...", he makes fun of himself in a Gieco commercial in one of his last TV apperances in 2006. Don LaFontaine, truely one of the greatest voice talents, his wonderful voice will be missed.
While I know I'm about 9 months late, Happy 90th birthday Don Pardo, your voice is one of the biggest reasons I watch SNL! Oh and don't miss the season premier of Saturday Night Live Saturday, September 13, 2008. Michael Phelps is hosting, the musical guest is 'Lil Wayne. I starts at 11:29, check your local listings to be sure. If you're watching in Canada, you can catch it on the Global Television network. Enjoy season 34 of SNL!
