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The entertainment industry's most ubiquitous voiceover king has died. If you know the name, no doubt it's from the Geico commercials he did recently. But you know the voice because he was a veteran of thousands upon thousands of television spots and movie trailers.
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I knew the name long before the commercials, and I thought he was used far, far, far too often, but it’s still a sad day. Too young to go. Way too many big name deaths this year. The “In Memoriam” at the Oscars is going to be about 20 minutes long this year.
One of the Master’s most memorable appearances was in this awards show package called “Five Guys in a Limo.” If anyone’s been searching YouTube for it, here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQRtuxdfQHw&feature=related
DLF was truly a genuine talent and an equally good guy. He was a pleasure to work with and was very generous when it came to helping the up and comers. He will no doubt be missed worldwide! Now he can truly be ” The Voice of God ” RIP DLF
Mr. LaFontaine will indeed be missed.
I always wondered who did the voice for those movie trailers.
He is an irreplaceable treasure.
Rest in peace, sir.
Great voice, great talent. Never took himself too seriously, and made it work on his own. RIP.
“The Voice of God” has gone off to join him. Don was a truly generous
man. HE narrated the ACTS OF LOVE benefit for Cure AUtism Now three years in a row.
When he spoke, it made you feel that a higher authority was on your side.
js
This news is really a personal shock for me as Don LaFontaine made me the honor to accept an interview by your humble servant two years ago.
He was a gentleman, a man of class and the inventor of the modern trailer. His voice is part of my cinephilic childhood.
Please pardon my lousy English and my lack of eloquence. My thoughts go to his family.
News hit me like a brick this morning. A real pro and very generous. As someone else said, he never took himself too seriously, was a pleasure to work with,always gave it 110%,and helped the newbie find their way. I adored him.
This is truly sad news as his voice is something I grew up hearing.
RIP.
And also comedian Pablo Francisco must be mourning somewhere too as his comedy act always had his incredibly spot on impression of Don’s voice.
While voiceovers are not quite as dominant in todays movie marketing as there were pre-1980’s, the use of them are still very effective. I’ll never forget how powerful voiceover work on trailers were for films I grew up on like The Poseidon Adventure, THe Omega Man and Earthquake. His work really created a tone! Rest in peace DON!
Does John Leader’s retirement yesterday have anything to do with Don LaFontaine’s death? For example, was there a friendly pact to retire at the same time, or is it a nod of respect for a friend?
Leader has been a very successful VO artist himself – http://www.sbvtalentagency.com/vo_talent_detail.php?id=148 . Perhaps it is only coincidental that we lose two great VO artists in one day – one to death and one to retirement.
I should have noted that John Leader was also in the “5 Men and a Limo” video with LaFontaine, Nick Tate, Mark Elliot, Al Chalk, and – appropriately enough for any VO artist – the voice of Hal Douglas.
Often imitated, never duplicated. One of a kind, and a true pioneer. He will be sorely missed. A great loss of talent, and a darn nice guy who always had a smile.
Don was more than just a “voice” for trailers and TV spots. He created the cadence and the melody that many VO artists still use, consciously or unconsciously, as the model for narration.
He was also a pleasure to work with, always professional, witty and entertaining.
I was genuinely saddened to hear about this — I’m just hoping they can keep “The Voice” alive for a while longer by sampling from his massive archive.
In a world…
He ruled!
Brett
I knew him personally for 20 years. His heart was as a big as his voice… maybe bigger. He was a wonderful man.
We will miss him dearly.
As a voice professional, this is as sad a day as I can remember. As a person, all I can say, is that this world…will never, sound the same.
Rest in Peace Don, you made the world a better place. We will always love and respect you.
Chris
Don was a great voice, a great talent, a great man. Kind, smart, generous to a fault, he will truly be missed.
Absolutely monster talent. His voice was like an earthquake when it first appeared in trailers.
Don was a titanic talent, a sweetheart of a person, and he was just sick about all the labor infighting in the recent contract cycle, especially AFTRA’s screwing of the Screen Actors Guild and the DGA’s buggery of the writers.
In a world without Don LaFontaine, trailers won’t seem as significant.
In a world without Don LaFontaine, one man, one woman, and a renegade robot police dog will rise up to defend humanity from the evil that thinks it’s safe to bring mediocre VO to Hollywood now that “The Voice” has sadly left us all.
Don was a friend and the easiest person to work with ever. a true professional who always knew how to nail it.
My favorite story is back at Aspect Ratio in the mid-90’s when Don used to come in and Rubin, the sound person, would banter with him about a particular car that was coming out they both liked…
Rubin ” Don… the new (Viper) is coming out. they say it’s 35k.”
Don “I’m getting that for sure”
Next month
Rubin “Don, you hear the car is now 40k?”
Don “I’m still getting it.”
Next Month
Rubin “Don, they say it’s gonna be 50k now, but it’s gonna be sweet. You still in?”
Don thinks for a moment…
“Nah, f*** it. No car is worth a day’s pay.”
(Rubin if my car or numbers are off forgive me!)
There will never be another one like Don.
God called.
He wanted his voice back.
Rest in peace, Don.
Great voice, great talent. Never took himself too seriously, and made it work on his own. RIP.
Trailers will never be the same again
RIP.
Where do I start?
The Key Art Awards a few years back. I brought my mom and she was not in great health at the time but I got her to come out with me. I introduced her to Don and his lovely wife. She was so thrilled to meet “that man with the voice” and he was just so wonderful to her. He made her laugh and put a smile on her face that I had not seen in a while.
Ya’ know Nicki. You have been writing recently about some of the people who have “made it” in this town and how they handle it…..For all of us who make movie trailers, this man was such a wonderful example. He never really abused the success he had attained. He was just a sweet, funny man and a class act. Our prayers all go out to his family. I’m gonna miss you big guy!
I’d posit that he laughed himself to death when he saw the recent ad campaigns spoofing movie trailers.
Don, a man that has inspired many getting into the voice field, an Icon has departed. You will be missed.
JML.
I wrote Don out of the blue for advice on transitioning from a 20 year tv news career to commercials and voiceovers. I was so shocked that he actually took the time to write back with suggestions and advice. What a classy guy!! I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
Many years ago, my comedy troupe created a trailer spoof in the vein of Don LaFontaine. Through an acquaintance of an acquaintance, we got it into Don’s hands.
A few days later, we received a tape from Don, with three takes of our script done in his own inimitable style. He thought it was a kick and just tacked it onto the end of one of his many recording sessions. Then he sent the recording to us with some kind words and best wishes — while graciously declining to accept even a nominal fee. He was just happy to help out some youngsters trying to break into comedy.
Not just an iconic talent, but a classy, kind, and generous man. My condolences to his family.
Marvelous guy. Fun, funny, loved his work, loved people, loved life. Don’s instantly recognizable voice and unique style created instant attention for his clients’ projects. Wonderful, wonderful person.
I was really shocked to hear of Don’s passing. He WAS the movies. Don’s voice made me want to see the movie he was promoting!!
There will never be another voice like Don’s and he will sorely be missed.
The voice of God is now in Heaven. Rest in peace, Mr. Lafontaine.
I think Don LaFontaine would be amused to learn that National Public Radio, in noting his passing, reminded its listeners of who Don was by playing a movie trailer read by Hal Douglas. Some sharp-eared listener called them on it — or maybe it was Hal Douglas.
.
Don was a really good friend of my grandpa and i am somehow related to him. it was really sad that he died. i only met him once when i was like 4 or 5 so i dont remember him. but the stories that i have heard from my grandpa and my dad make don seem like a really nice guy. i am really upset that i didnt get to know him. don rest in peace. and Anita i am terribly sorry for your loss.