In a world...
September 1, 2008 10:37 PM Subscribe
Said to be the busiest actor in Hollywood -- ever, Don LaFontaine was this generation's most prolific announcer, in the traditional sense of the word, lending his voice to all the major American television networks, and redefining the movie trailer. LaFontaine has died of complications from a collapsed lung at 68.
A typical Fox promo featuring his distinctive voiceover.
In the last decade or so, LaFontaine came to be recognized as the man and the name behind the voice, and was not above self-parody.
Don tells his story.
Previously. (via)
A typical Fox promo featuring his distinctive voiceover.
In the last decade or so, LaFontaine came to be recognized as the man and the name behind the voice, and was not above self-parody.
Don tells his story.
Previously. (via)
In a world...
posted by blue_beetle at 10:43 PM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by blue_beetle at 10:43 PM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]
Duluth native. Minnesota is the center of everything in the world right now.
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:49 PM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:49 PM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]
Don LaFontaine is finally free from a world he never made.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 10:51 PM on September 1, 2008 [13 favorites]
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 10:51 PM on September 1, 2008 [13 favorites]
Pablo Francisco does an imitation stand up routine.
posted by schyler523 at 10:52 PM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by schyler523 at 10:52 PM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]
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posted by brundlefly at 11:08 PM on September 1, 2008
posted by brundlefly at 11:08 PM on September 1, 2008
Aw, nuts. :(
posted by katillathehun at 11:12 PM on September 1, 2008
posted by katillathehun at 11:12 PM on September 1, 2008
Besides his famous "In a world..." stuff, his amazing voice was far more a part of entertainment culture than many realize, since the late 60s. (He also did The Godfather Pt. 2 trailer in 1974). He will be sorely missed.
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 11:14 PM on September 1, 2008
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posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:18 PM on September 1, 2008
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:18 PM on September 1, 2008
I always loved this ABC interview, where you find out he didn't just say things like "In a world...," he wrote them.
posted by ALongDecember at 11:19 PM on September 1, 2008
posted by ALongDecember at 11:19 PM on September 1, 2008
This was linked from the last post, but this is a version with much better audio:
5 Guys In A Limo.
Boy, it's sad to lose that guy. A voice so omnipresent that it almost defined his time.
posted by Malor at 11:25 PM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]
5 Guys In A Limo.
Boy, it's sad to lose that guy. A voice so omnipresent that it almost defined his time.
posted by Malor at 11:25 PM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]
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posted by wanderingmind at 11:27 PM on September 1, 2008
posted by wanderingmind at 11:27 PM on September 1, 2008
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posted by doctor_negative at 11:31 PM on September 1, 2008
posted by doctor_negative at 11:31 PM on September 1, 2008
The American movie trailer is going to be different now; he dominates the field so heavily. Essentially, if a big budget movie's trailer doesn't use him, it probably doesn't use voice-over. He will be missed.
posted by Bookhouse at 11:58 PM on September 1, 2008
posted by Bookhouse at 11:58 PM on September 1, 2008
-- one man stood alone -- ready to take on any challenge -- a savior of lost causes -- yet he remained unknown to all but a few -- this man -- was known as -- the voice
posted by dhartung at 12:42 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by dhartung at 12:42 AM on September 2, 2008
Bookhouse: Not quite true. His style has been widely imitated (see 5 guys video).
posted by dhartung at 12:45 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by dhartung at 12:45 AM on September 2, 2008
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posted by Donnie VandenBos at 1:06 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by Donnie VandenBos at 1:06 AM on September 2, 2008
The other 4 guys in that limo, along with hundreds of other Voice-Over professionals, mourn him tonight, but can look forward to calls from their agents in the morning as the 'Voice Biz' just opened up a little bit. (And trailer producers, after automatically calling LaFontaine for literally decades, are going "Oh, shit, we have to do AUDITIONS now?") Maybe I'm not showing enough respect, but I will actually enjoy hearing some different voices on movie trailers and TV promos. (Disclaimer: I've had some friends in the 'Voice Biz' including a couple who got out of it during the era of LaFontaine Domination)
posted by wendell at 1:25 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by wendell at 1:25 AM on September 2, 2008
And trailer producers, after automatically calling LaFontaine for literally decades, are going "Oh, shit, we have to do AUDITIONS now?"
Not quite. Miguel Ferrer's been doing a lot of voiceovers these days.
I'm going to find my old Powerslave game disc in tribute, which features Don's talents as narrator and the voice of Ra.
posted by Smart Dalek at 2:13 AM on September 2, 2008
Not quite. Miguel Ferrer's been doing a lot of voiceovers these days.
I'm going to find my old Powerslave game disc in tribute, which features Don's talents as narrator and the voice of Ra.
posted by Smart Dalek at 2:13 AM on September 2, 2008
Sorry. Ramses.
posted by Smart Dalek at 2:15 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by Smart Dalek at 2:15 AM on September 2, 2008
I will actually enjoy hearing some different voices on movie trailers and TV promos.
Just because they come out of different bodies, I wouldn't assume they will be different voices.
posted by DU at 3:03 AM on September 2, 2008
Just because they come out of different bodies, I wouldn't assume they will be different voices.
posted by DU at 3:03 AM on September 2, 2008
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posted by Happy Dave at 3:13 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by Happy Dave at 3:13 AM on September 2, 2008
D'oh!
posted by Yoshi Ayarane at 3:37 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by Yoshi Ayarane at 3:37 AM on September 2, 2008
RIP, Mr. LaFontaine...thankfully Hal Douglas is still with us.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 3:50 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by StrikeTheViol at 3:50 AM on September 2, 2008
While Mr LaFontaine's passing is undoubtedly a great loss to the industry, and my sympathies are with his family, we have to look on the bright side - now FINALLY maybe we can have more voiceovers from Gilbert Gottfried and Fran Drescher.
posted by kcds at 3:53 AM on September 2, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by kcds at 3:53 AM on September 2, 2008 [3 favorites]
Sad. I really liked this dude.
5 Guys In A Limo rules.
posted by bdave at 4:31 AM on September 2, 2008
5 Guys In A Limo rules.
posted by bdave at 4:31 AM on September 2, 2008
fuck. I worked with him six times. a true professional.
now it's all hal, I guess.
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posted by krautland at 4:41 AM on September 2, 2008
now it's all hal, I guess.
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posted by krautland at 4:41 AM on September 2, 2008
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posted by about_time at 5:00 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by about_time at 5:00 AM on September 2, 2008
I didn't recognise him (with his wig on) in 5 Guys in a Limo
posted by A189Nut at 5:21 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by A189Nut at 5:21 AM on September 2, 2008
Sorry he died. He did have an interesting type of voice. I wonder if he had a longer vocal tract?
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posted by nickyskye at 5:26 AM on September 2, 2008
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posted by nickyskye at 5:26 AM on September 2, 2008
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posted by fiercecupcake at 5:55 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by fiercecupcake at 5:55 AM on September 2, 2008
With todays modern computer tech AND all the samples of his voice, I'm sure he can be replaced.
posted by rough ashlar at 5:56 AM on September 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by rough ashlar at 5:56 AM on September 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
Now all the great ones are gone: Johnny Olson, John Facenda, and now Don LaFontaine.
posted by briank at 6:17 AM on September 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by briank at 6:17 AM on September 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
A legend. Heard by all, seen by few. Great voice. RIP, Don.
posted by davidmsc at 6:22 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by davidmsc at 6:22 AM on September 2, 2008
Beau Weaver also keeps busy voicing trailers in the same style. He also offers a free ringtone.
rough ashlar: With todays modern computer tech AND all the samples of his voice, I'm sure he can be replaced.
Probably true. Ernie Anderson has been dead for several years, but his voice tracks are still available for use on YOUR radio station.
posted by evilcolonel at 6:44 AM on September 2, 2008
rough ashlar: With todays modern computer tech AND all the samples of his voice, I'm sure he can be replaced.
Probably true. Ernie Anderson has been dead for several years, but his voice tracks are still available for use on YOUR radio station.
posted by evilcolonel at 6:44 AM on September 2, 2008
No movie trailer is good and/or effective without someone screaming "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!" so I'm adding it here, too.
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posted by WolfDaddy at 6:51 AM on September 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
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posted by WolfDaddy at 6:51 AM on September 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
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Drag, he didn't get to retire and laugh as 1,001 rookies try to imitate him. We will, unfortunately.
posted by Artful Codger at 6:51 AM on September 2, 2008
Drag, he didn't get to retire and laugh as 1,001 rookies try to imitate him. We will, unfortunately.
posted by Artful Codger at 6:51 AM on September 2, 2008
Has anyone else noticed that trailers have seemed to be moving away from voiceovers in recent years? It seems like many are using text captions, or nothing at all.
posted by good in a vacuum at 6:52 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by good in a vacuum at 6:52 AM on September 2, 2008
Damn. The man was a cultural touchstone. The world is going to sound just a little bit different from now on.
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posted by Faint of Butt at 6:55 AM on September 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
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posted by Faint of Butt at 6:55 AM on September 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
Saw this posted on a voiceover blog on Aug 26th :
"For those unaware, Don is in the hospital in critical condition with a blood clot lodged in his lungs.
Below is a letter from his wife Nita. Please read it and send your thoughts and prayers. - Stewart Wilson-Turner
“Dear friends and family,
I need you help and I’m reaching out to all of you. My wonderful husband is in critical condition at Cedar Sinai hospital; a blood clot is lodged in his lung and he is fighting for his life. This happened on Saturday after I’d taken him in for shortness of breath on Friday. He was doing very well and I left him talking and being funny on Friday evening. Without all the details, I got a call on Saturday morning as I was heading there to visit. There has been some lovely improvement yesterday but he is very sick right now. We need your concentrated prayers! Have your churches synagogues, temples send out prayers for Don’s healing and wellness. Light a candle, chant, whatever you do to send that loving energy and light to him, I would appreciate. And save a little for the girls and me. We have had small miracles already and if we all shout up to God collectively, I know how powerful that can be. He is fighting and we all are fighting with him. He is strong and is a warrior so I thank you in advance for your prayers, good wishes and kindness on behalf of my family.
With a hopeful heart,
Nita and family”
posted by Liosliath at 7:02 AM on September 2, 2008
"For those unaware, Don is in the hospital in critical condition with a blood clot lodged in his lungs.
Below is a letter from his wife Nita. Please read it and send your thoughts and prayers. - Stewart Wilson-Turner
“Dear friends and family,
I need you help and I’m reaching out to all of you. My wonderful husband is in critical condition at Cedar Sinai hospital; a blood clot is lodged in his lung and he is fighting for his life. This happened on Saturday after I’d taken him in for shortness of breath on Friday. He was doing very well and I left him talking and being funny on Friday evening. Without all the details, I got a call on Saturday morning as I was heading there to visit. There has been some lovely improvement yesterday but he is very sick right now. We need your concentrated prayers! Have your churches synagogues, temples send out prayers for Don’s healing and wellness. Light a candle, chant, whatever you do to send that loving energy and light to him, I would appreciate. And save a little for the girls and me. We have had small miracles already and if we all shout up to God collectively, I know how powerful that can be. He is fighting and we all are fighting with him. He is strong and is a warrior so I thank you in advance for your prayers, good wishes and kindness on behalf of my family.
With a hopeful heart,
Nita and family”
posted by Liosliath at 7:02 AM on September 2, 2008
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posted by l33tpolicywonk at 7:19 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 7:19 AM on September 2, 2008
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posted by The Light Fantastic at 7:38 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by The Light Fantastic at 7:38 AM on September 2, 2008
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posted by flibbertigibbet at 8:22 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by flibbertigibbet at 8:22 AM on September 2, 2008
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posted by Tesseractive at 8:25 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by Tesseractive at 8:25 AM on September 2, 2008
In the fantastic youtube video cited above, Don mentioned that his voice changed suddenly at 13. Since according to his myspace page, Don was Jewish, I only wish I could've been at his Bar Mitzvah!
"In world where the Torah unfurls before generations permed and plaid, one boy stands alone. This summer...I...am....a fountainpen!"
posted by ericbop at 8:29 AM on September 2, 2008 [2 favorites]
"In world where the Torah unfurls before generations permed and plaid, one boy stands alone. This summer...I...am....a fountainpen!"
posted by ericbop at 8:29 AM on September 2, 2008 [2 favorites]
A legend indeed, this is really sad. It's as if MGM only ever used one lion and now that lion's dead. Cool, cool guy, he will be missed no matter how many impersonators he has out there.
posted by matteo at 8:30 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by matteo at 8:30 AM on September 2, 2008
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I found it great that he would take the time to record things like people's answering machine messages, and even a narration for a short high school video about a calculus class. He took himself seriously but also seemed very down to earth and funny.
posted by mrbill at 8:33 AM on September 2, 2008
I found it great that he would take the time to record things like people's answering machine messages, and even a narration for a short high school video about a calculus class. He took himself seriously but also seemed very down to earth and funny.
posted by mrbill at 8:33 AM on September 2, 2008
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posted by Uther Bentrazor at 9:13 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 9:13 AM on September 2, 2008
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posted by lysistrata at 9:13 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by lysistrata at 9:13 AM on September 2, 2008
Show of hands: Who else's life is narrated internally, down to mundane details, by his voice? "THIS EVENING.. ONE BRUSH.. WILL SCRUB ALL TEETH." Very sad to see him go, and with him part of the magic of movies.
(Wilhelm x2)
posted by jake at 10:00 AM on September 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
(Wilhelm x2)
posted by jake at 10:00 AM on September 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
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I'm imagining his eulogy will be given by Squeaky Voiced Teen from The Simpsons.
posted by sapere aude at 10:38 AM on September 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
I'm imagining his eulogy will be given by Squeaky Voiced Teen from The Simpsons.
posted by sapere aude at 10:38 AM on September 2, 2008 [1 favorite]
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posted by lilkeith07 at 11:06 AM on September 2, 2008
posted by lilkeith07 at 11:06 AM on September 2, 2008
zarq's link to the trailer for Comedian made me realize how much I loved the voice-over guys back when I first saw it.
To this day, whenever I'm mentally composing a fictitious trailer, it always starts "In a world..."
posted by quin at 12:24 PM on September 2, 2008
To this day, whenever I'm mentally composing a fictitious trailer, it always starts "In a world..."
posted by quin at 12:24 PM on September 2, 2008
It bums me out to think that LaFontaine is dead. I prefer to believe that he just got a much-deserved promotion to Metatron. Good luck in your new job, Don!
posted by ourobouros at 3:18 PM on September 2, 2008
posted by ourobouros at 3:18 PM on September 2, 2008
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Trailers won't be the same without him.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 3:36 PM on September 2, 2008
Trailers won't be the same without him.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 3:36 PM on September 2, 2008
I hope he gets into heaven, because I think he would make a great announcer for the Second Coming.
posted by turgid dahlia at 3:47 PM on September 2, 2008 [3 favorites]
posted by turgid dahlia at 3:47 PM on September 2, 2008 [3 favorites]
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posted by SageLeVoid at 7:41 PM on September 2, 2008
posted by SageLeVoid at 7:41 PM on September 2, 2008
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posted by wastelands at 8:32 PM on September 2, 2008
posted by wastelands at 8:32 PM on September 2, 2008
When the voiceover is not your own,
one man took a stand...
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posted by Samizdata at 10:01 PM on September 2, 2008
one man took a stand...
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posted by Samizdata at 10:01 PM on September 2, 2008
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posted by mustard seeds at 10:08 PM on September 2, 2008
posted by mustard seeds at 10:08 PM on September 2, 2008
When LaFontaine played Wait, Wait's "Not My Job" game, Peter Sagal and company asked him to record intros for the various shows that can be heard on NPR.
About halfway through this episode, right before NPR host Terry Gross is quizzed, they played his version of her show's intro.
LaFontaine's booming voice announces: "This is Fresh Air! I'm Terry Gross!"
He also did a faux intro for Car Talk, but I haven't been able to find that online.
posted by zarq at 6:50 AM on September 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
About halfway through this episode, right before NPR host Terry Gross is quizzed, they played his version of her show's intro.
LaFontaine's booming voice announces: "This is Fresh Air! I'm Terry Gross!"
He also did a faux intro for Car Talk, but I haven't been able to find that online.
posted by zarq at 6:50 AM on September 3, 2008 [2 favorites]
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posted by Pope Guilty at 10:42 PM on September 1, 2008