The world of cinema has lost another great legend. According to ETonline, “The King of Voiceover” Don LaFontaine has died at 68.
The report said that his death was due to complications from Pneumothorax, the presence of air or gas in the pleural cavity, the result of a collapsed lung
For those of us who love watching trailers or previews right before movie starts, we’re familiar with his the richness, and the unique tone of his one of a kind voice. He’s done voices for TV and Movies, Radio to commercials like the funny one he did for Geico.
For over 40 years, He’s done about 5,000 movie trailers (Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Big Momma’s House, The Simpsons movie and thousands more)
It is said that his favorite voice-over for a movie trailer, is the cult classic 1980 slasher, Friday The 13th
Don is survived by his wife singer/actress Nita Whitaker, and three children: Christine, Skye and Elyse.
His work and his amazing accomplishment will forever be appreciated. His voice.. will forever be missed.
Rest in Peace, Don LaFontaine.
* To celebrate his life, these are some video clips that feature the legend
I shudder to think about his “replacement,” but I guess the current trend for trailers and TV spots is to just have soundbites, music, and titles. Some network TV show commercial voice over guy might do his jobs (but never take his place!).
Don will be missed. In the city…one man…stands alone.
Cheers,
Ryan
“In a World” without Don, is a world that’s going to be hard to imagine