Voiceover Master Don LaFontaine Has Passed Away - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 09-01-2008, 11:18 PM

Link

(CNN) -- Don LaFontaine, the voiceover king whose "In a world ..." phrase on movie trailers was much copied -- and much parodied -- has died, according to media reports. He was 68.

LaFontaine died Monday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, according to ETOnline, "Entertainment Tonight's" Web site. He died from complications from pneumothorax, a collapsed lung that causes air to build in the pleural cavity, his agent, Vanessa Gilbert, told "ET."

LaFontaine, who was born in Duluth, Minnesota, began as a voice actor in the mid-1960s while working as a recording engineer, according to his Web site. His strong, slightly gravelly voice was featured on trailers for thousands of films, including "The Godfather," "Fatal Attraction" and "Terminator 2: Judgment Day." For a time in the late '70s, LaFontaine was the official voice of Paramount Pictures.

His favorite work was one he did for the 1980 film "The Elephant Man," he said in interviews.

He also provided the voice for hundreds of commercials for companies such as General Motors, Ford, McDonald's, Coca-Cola and many others, according to his Web site.

The good-humored LaFontaine was willing to poke fun at himself, particularly in a recent ad for Geico insurance, in which he gave dramatic flair to a woman's story about her car accident. He also voiced the trailer for "The Simpsons Movie," in which his descriptions were mimicked by commentary from the film's characters.

But LaFontaine was most famous for his phrase "In a world ...," used by seemingly dozens of movies determined to create an otherworldly atmosphere.

LaFontaine told CNN that the scripts gave him the cues for his delivery.

"They dictate how they want to be read," he told "Showbiz Tonight" in 2005. "It's pretty much straightforward stuff because you know the context of the film generally going in. If it's something like 'King Kong,' you have a pretty good idea of how you`re going to say it. It's going to be a big adventure thing. And I let the strip more or less guide what I'm going to say."

He added that there was no secret to his movie trailer work: "I really think this is one of the few industries where everything is right up there," he told CNN. "What you see is what you get."

Still, he noted, it's not like he could use his movie-trailer voice everywhere.

"If I tried to use that voice in public," he said, "they'd be calling security."

LaFontaine is survived by his wife, actress and singer Nita Whitaker, and three children, Christine, Skye and Elyse

Hollow · 09-01-2008, 11:24 PM

damn.

Adamantium · 09-01-2008, 11:24 PM

Movie trailers won't be the same without him. Heck, the whole movie going experience won't be the same.

Rest in Peace, Don.

Zoneboy · 09-01-2008, 11:30 PM

Don was the absolute tops when it came to voiceovers, His Geico commercial was hilarious.

A great voice is now silent,

Don

Cactus Jack · 09-01-2008, 11:55 PM

OMG Wow RIP

Schmoopie · 09-01-2008, 11:58 PM

Well, that's sad!

I wasn't sure who we were talking about until I saw the picture and read about the Geico ad. Movie trailers definitely won't be the same!!

Andrea

catlover79 · 09-02-2008, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

Movie trailers won't be the same without him. Heck, the whole movie going experience won't be the same.

Rest in Peace, Don.

Well said!!!

Zoneboy · 09-02-2008, 12:04 AM

Don and his wife Nita Whitaker along with Richard Dreyfuss

If by chance you don't know Don by name, Here's his Geico commercial. No doubt you'll recognize that wonderful voice.

Geico

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 09-02-2008, 01:28 AM

sucks

RIP

Zoneboy · 09-02-2008, 06:00 AM

5 Guys In a Limo

Brian Damage · 09-02-2008, 03:04 PM

Janice · 09-02-2008, 03:09 PM

How sad, and he wasn't even old. His voice was do distinct and remarkable. Rest In Peace, Don LaFontaine.

veggie-tari-jenn · 09-03-2008, 12:50 AM

Thats sooo sad....he rocked and will be missed.

mrs.gingerhinkley · 09-03-2008, 03:21 PM

Heard about this yesterday in Drama Club. It's a shame, such a talent and iconic voice! RIP

80sTrivia · 09-03-2008, 04:50 PM

Sorry to hear of Don's passing. His voice has been such a part of our lives over the years, it will be missed...

09-01-2008, 11:18 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,392	Voiceover Master Don LaFontaine Has Passed Away Link (CNN) -- Don LaFontaine, the voiceover king whose "In a world ..." phrase on movie trailers was much copied -- and much parodied -- has died, according to media reports. He was 68. LaFontaine died Monday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, according to ETOnline, "Entertainment Tonight's" Web site. He died from complications from pneumothorax, a collapsed lung that causes air to build in the pleural cavity, his agent, Vanessa Gilbert, told "ET." LaFontaine, who was born in Duluth, Minnesota, began as a voice actor in the mid-1960s while working as a recording engineer, according to his Web site. His strong, slightly gravelly voice was featured on trailers for thousands of films, including "The Godfather," "Fatal Attraction" and "Terminator 2: Judgment Day." For a time in the late '70s, LaFontaine was the official voice of Paramount Pictures. His favorite work was one he did for the 1980 film "The Elephant Man," he said in interviews. He also provided the voice for hundreds of commercials for companies such as General Motors, Ford, McDonald's, Coca-Cola and many others, according to his Web site. The good-humored LaFontaine was willing to poke fun at himself, particularly in a recent ad for Geico insurance, in which he gave dramatic flair to a woman's story about her car accident. He also voiced the trailer for "The Simpsons Movie," in which his descriptions were mimicked by commentary from the film's characters. But LaFontaine was most famous for his phrase "In a world ...," used by seemingly dozens of movies determined to create an otherworldly atmosphere. LaFontaine told CNN that the scripts gave him the cues for his delivery. "They dictate how they want to be read," he told "Showbiz Tonight" in 2005. "It's pretty much straightforward stuff because you know the context of the film generally going in. If it's something like 'King Kong,' you have a pretty good idea of how you`re going to say it. It's going to be a big adventure thing. And I let the strip more or less guide what I'm going to say." He added that there was no secret to his movie trailer work: "I really think this is one of the few industries where everything is right up there," he told CNN. "What you see is what you get." Still, he noted, it's not like he could use his movie-trailer voice everywhere. "If I tried to use that voice in public," he said, "they'd be calling security." LaFontaine is survived by his wife, actress and singer Nita Whitaker, and three children, Christine, Skye and Elyse
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09-01-2008, 11:55 PM	#5
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	OMG Wow RIP
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09-01-2008, 11:58 PM	#6
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Well, that's sad! I wasn't sure who we were talking about until I saw the picture and read about the Geico ad. Movie trailers definitely won't be the same!! Andrea
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09-02-2008, 12:04 AM	#8
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,392	Don and his wife Nita Whitaker along with Richard Dreyfuss If by chance you don't know Don by name, Here's his Geico commercial. No doubt you'll recognize that wonderful voice. Geico
	Last edited by Zoneboy; 09-02-2008 at 12:43 AM.

09-02-2008, 01:28 AM	#9
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	sucks RIP
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09-01-2008, 11:24 PM	#2
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	damn.

09-01-2008, 11:24 PM	#3
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,836	Movie trailers won't be the same without him. Heck, the whole movie going experience won't be the same. Rest in Peace, Don.

09-01-2008, 11:30 PM	#4
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,392	Don was the absolute tops when it came to voiceovers, His Geico commercial was hilarious. A great voice is now silent, Don

09-02-2008, 06:00 AM	#10
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,392	5 Guys In a Limo

09-02-2008, 03:04 PM	#11
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107
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09-02-2008, 03:09 PM	#12
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	How sad, and he wasn't even old. His voice was do distinct and remarkable. Rest In Peace, Don LaFontaine.

09-03-2008, 12:50 AM	#13
veggie-tari-jenn SARCASTIC COUPON PRINCESS!! Eternal Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 13, 2008 Posts: 1,882	Thats sooo sad....he rocked and will be missed.

09-03-2008, 03:21 PM	#14
mrs.gingerhinkley Bette Davis Fan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 06, 2007 Posts: 2,478	Heard about this yesterday in Drama Club. It's a shame, such a talent and iconic voice! RIP
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09-03-2008, 04:50 PM	#15
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	Sorry to hear of Don's passing. His voice has been such a part of our lives over the years, it will be missed...
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