Legendary Game Show Announcer Charlie O'Donnell 1932-2010 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 11-01-2010, 07:24 PM

Link

Charlie O'Donnell, the familiar announcing voice on KABC-TV's "Wheel of Fortune" for more than 26 years, died overnight in his sleep, his agent confirmed Monday to the Orange County Register.

O'Donnell, 78, lived in Sherman Oaks, with his wife Ellen. He has four children and two grandchildren. A family spokesperson said, "They are too upset to talk right now." A woman who works on "Wheel" at Sony studios also confirmed O'Donnell's death.

The cause of death was reportedly heart failure, according to family friend and longtime radio personality Johnny Hayes.

"Charlie was by far one of the greatest show announcers ever," said his long-time agent Fred Wostbrock. "He gave life to that copy on 'Wheel.' Even the way he said 'Wheeeel of Fortune' started the excitement in the first two seconds of the game. He was as much a part of that show as Vanna White and Pat Sajak, and Charlie was with the original 'Wheel' with Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford," he said.

"I am very lucky that I have had such a wonderful home base at Wheel of Fortune," O'Donnell was quoted as saying in his Biography on the Wheel of Fortune website. "Throughout my 40 plus years working as an announcer, I have had the honor to have worked with some of the leading entertainers in the world."

In 1987, O'Donnell was chosen to announce the arrival of Pope John Paul II at the Papal Teleconference at Universal Amphitheatre. He was the announcer for the Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl and Dodger Stadium in 1965 and 1966; announced the Rolling Stones at the Long Beach Auditorium in 1965; and was the voice of Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" for 10 years.

According to his biography, O'Donnell's other credits include: "The Dating Game," "Everybody's Talking," "The Gong Show," "The Guinness Game," "Hot Potato," "The Joker's Wild," "Let's Go Back," "Monopoly," "The Newlywed Game," "The Parent Game," "Stompers," "Tic Tac Dough," "To Tell The Truth," "Trivia Trap," "Wedding Party," "The Wizard of Odds" and "Wordplay."

Services are pending.

Marvo301 · 11-01-2010, 08:17 PM

Charlie O'Donnell

Rezny@gmail.com · 11-01-2010, 08:32 PM

Oh!So THAT'S why he wasn't the announcer for "Wheel of Fortune" tonight,and Johnny Gilbert was.It's funny.When Charlie 0'Donnell was on the show about a month ago,he looked very good and gave no indication he was sick,and even on last week's Halloween shows,he sounded good.Who's going to take his place?RIP Charlie.

Brian Damage · 11-01-2010, 10:24 PM

catlover79 · 11-02-2010, 12:44 AM

James28 · 11-02-2010, 12:49 AM

Because of Charlie O'Donnell's death, I'm gonna become concerned about Johnny Gilbert and I hope he doesn't pass away soon himself. This is what we get for setting expectations too high.

O'Donnell's voice was like a combination of the voices of Elvis Presley and WWE ring announcer Howard Finkel. Based on an earlier post I made, he ended up crumbling into dust following his death and his dust will be put in the wastebasket.

Wheel of Fortune needs a replacement announcer ASAP, like M.G. Kelly. I wish he had served as announcer following Jack Clark's death.

"Charlie O'Donnell pledges allegiance to the Dead Celebrities Society. And to the Philosophy for which it stands. One Nation under the Michael. Indivisible, with Integrity and Fairness for all."

Zoneboy · 11-02-2010, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim856796

Because of Charlie O'Donnell's death, I'm gonna become concerned about Johnny Gilbert and when he'll die. I hope it's not too soon.

I'd be more concerned about Don Pardo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim856796

O'Donnell's voice was like a combination of the voices of Elvis Presley and WWE ring announcer Howard Finkel. Based on an earlier post, he could end up crumbling into dust in the next few days and his dust will be put in the wastebasket.

This is a condolence thread and not for attacking the deceased. I thought Charlie O'Donnell had a great voice and was perfect for "Wheel" as I'm sure others will agree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim856796

Wheel of Fortune needs a replacement announcer ASAP, like M.G. Kelly. I wish he had served as announcer following Jack Clark's death.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Johnny Gilbert or possibly Rich Fields take over.

70s show watcher · 11-02-2010, 01:34 AM

he was also a news anchor at kcop channel 13 in cal. he was one of the best announcers ever r i p charlie we will miss you

James28 · 11-02-2010, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

This is a condolence thread and not for attacking the deceased. I thought Charlie O'Donnell had a great voice and was perfect for "Wheel" as I'm sure others will agree.

Now, Lawler, that was never meant as an attack. No more attempts to initiate conflict, please. I only met him once, though I never befriended him.

BillCullen1 · 11-02-2010, 04:06 PM

WOF will get an announcer. Whether it's Rich Fields, Randy West or Johnny Gilbert, we'll just have to wait and see. I saw Charlie O. at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. WOF did special celeb shows there in 2006. Neil Patrick Harris, Jeff Probst ands Susan Lucci were among the celebs.

R.I.P. Charlie. You will be missed but not forgotten. Say hello to Jack Clark up there.

70s show watcher · 11-03-2010, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillCullen1

WOF will get an announcer. Whether it's Rich Fields, Randy West or Johnny Gilbert, we'll just have to wait and see. I saw Charlie O. at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. WOF did special celeb shows there in 2006. Neil Patrick Harris, Jeff Probst ands Susan Lucci were among the celebs.

R.I.P. Charlie. You will be missed but not forgotten. Say hello to Jack Clark up there.

and merv griffin too

howilu · 11-03-2010, 11:09 AM

Charlie O'Donnell was one of the most prolific announcers of all-time. It started when he worked with Dick Clark on American Bandstand and that led to many specials that clark produced. He began his career as a game show announcer in 1967 when he did the Lloyd Thaxton game show Everybody's Talking. Since then, he has been the voice for many game shows, such as The Joker's Wild, Tic Tac Dough, The Newlywed Game and the show he best remembered for Wheel of Fortune.

But O'Donnell did more than announce game shows. He was a DJ in Los Angeles and New York, read the news on KCOP-TV in Los Angeles and also announced the Emmys, Oscars and Golden Globes.

May he rest in peace.

Zoneboy · 11-04-2010, 06:43 PM

Link

Obit writing has a great side benefit -- you often get to speak with people you’ve watched for years on TV and in the movies. My DVR isn’t programmed for “Wheel of Fortune” (solving word puzzles feels a little too much like work to me), so I wasn’t sure what to expect when the show’s host, Pat Sajak, called me Tuesday to talk about Charlie O’Donnell, the longtime “Wheel” announcer who died Monday at 78.

For starters, Sajak spoke in complete, ready-for-print paragraphs about the man he so clearly admired. He was wittty, self-deprecating and came across as exceedingly kind.

Here’s most of Sajak’s polished yet off-the-cuff memorial to his friend:

He was the perfect voice of the show. He had an old-school style that was a little over the top. It was perfect for the show. We’re a little over the top. We’re a throwback.

He loved warming up the audience. It was almost like the kids were going to the circus and he was the barker bringing them in. It was perfect for our show. Ours is a very difficult show for [announcers] to do. We are still plug-full. If you didn’t have someone who could do it in an entertaining way, it would seem like one long commercial. He made it seem like fun. He was quick on the uptake. I f I threw something at him, he threw it back. He actually paid attention to what I said.

His voice is probably, almost certainly heard the most during the course of the half-hour. He talked more than I do. He quite literally was the voice of “Wheel.” It’s going to seem strange not to hear that. It’s going to take a period of adjustment, he’s been there so long.

Viewers really have adopted this show. It’s been on at dinnertime for so long, and the whole family watches. As hokey as it sounds, all of us are all part of their families. It’s going to seem a little empty at the dinner table.

He was great at warming up the crowd. He’s been in television forever. He loved performing in front of crowds. He took that role very seriously. … He loved meeting people, and when we went out on the road, Charlie was the first contact that thousands of people had with “Wheel of Fortune.” From an aural point of view, Charlie was the most recognizable part of this show.

He really was the most professional guy I ever knew. That’s what he took pride in. He’s sort of a vanishing breed. He was a broadcaster. He started in radio and grew up in television. He knew how to do everything, from hosting rock 'n' roll radio to doing a game show. Everything he did, he took seriously in a lighthearted business. He took great pride in what he did. He was a great inspiration to all of us.

We’ve done so many shows. He had genuine enthusiasm. How many trips has he plugged over the years? There was never a moment that you ever sensed that he was thinking, “I have to talk about another trip to Cabo.” Every time he announced that someone had won the money, it sounded like he won it.

This is the way he would have wanted to go out, working to the end. … Charlie’s great skill was timing. If something was 13 seconds long, next time it would be 11. I figure it applied to his life. If Charlie left, it meant it was time. He got a cue. I guess it was time for him to leave.

An acknowledgement of O’Donnell’s death will appear at the end of the “Wheel of Fortune” scheduled to air Friday. “Jeopardy!” announcer Johnny Gilbert will fill in on “Wheel” until a permanent successor is chosen.

KurtfromPitts · 11-06-2010, 10:54 AM

When I first heard Charlie O's voice-on AB when it was ab'6x-I thought he sounded like a voiceover guy who was heard at the time on commercials for Duncan Hines, Crisco Oil, and Sunoco ["When you stop at Sunoco, you go with confidence"].

simmytbone · 11-06-2010, 04:55 PM

These are among the names that were called by Charlie O' over the years:

Bill Cullen
Alex Trebek
Lynn Swann
Jack Barry
Jim Lange
Bob Eubanks
Jim Caldwell
Jim Perry
Jim Peck
Chuck Woolery
Jeff MacGregor
Paul Rodriguez
Mike Reilly
Allen Ludden
Scott Sternberg
Bob Goen
Rolf Bernirschke
Clark Race
Bob Hilton
Don Galloway
Dick Martin
Don Bleu
Lloyd Thaxton
Peter Tomarken
Tom Kennedy
Dick Clark
Wink Martindale

And of course: "PAT SAJAK AND VANNA WHITE!!!"

Charlie O was also an announcer for Bullseye w/Jim Lange as well as the Unsold Pilot of 21 also hosted by Jim Lange

God Bless You Charlie O'Donnell, R.I.P.

11-01-2010, 07:24 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: 34,377	Legendary Game Show Announcer Charlie O'Donnell 1932-2010 Link Charlie O'Donnell, the familiar announcing voice on KABC-TV's "Wheel of Fortune" for more than 26 years, died overnight in his sleep, his agent confirmed Monday to the Orange County Register. O'Donnell, 78, lived in Sherman Oaks, with his wife Ellen. He has four children and two grandchildren. A family spokesperson said, "They are too upset to talk right now." A woman who works on "Wheel" at Sony studios also confirmed O'Donnell's death. The cause of death was reportedly heart failure, according to family friend and longtime radio personality Johnny Hayes. "Charlie was by far one of the greatest show announcers ever," said his long-time agent Fred Wostbrock. "He gave life to that copy on 'Wheel.' Even the way he said 'Wheeeel of Fortune' started the excitement in the first two seconds of the game. He was as much a part of that show as Vanna White and Pat Sajak, and Charlie was with the original 'Wheel' with Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford," he said. "I am very lucky that I have had such a wonderful home base at Wheel of Fortune," O'Donnell was quoted as saying in his Biography on the Wheel of Fortune website. "Throughout my 40 plus years working as an announcer, I have had the honor to have worked with some of the leading entertainers in the world." In 1987, O'Donnell was chosen to announce the arrival of Pope John Paul II at the Papal Teleconference at Universal Amphitheatre. He was the announcer for the Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl and Dodger Stadium in 1965 and 1966; announced the Rolling Stones at the Long Beach Auditorium in 1965; and was the voice of Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" for 10 years. According to his biography, O'Donnell's other credits include: "The Dating Game," "Everybody's Talking," "The Gong Show," "The Guinness Game," "Hot Potato," "The Joker's Wild," "Let's Go Back," "Monopoly," "The Newlywed Game," "The Parent Game," "Stompers," "Tic Tac Dough," "To Tell The Truth," "Trivia Trap," "Wedding Party," "The Wizard of Odds" and "Wordplay." Services are pending.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

11-01-2010, 08:17 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Charlie O'Donnell
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11-01-2010, 10:24 PM	#4
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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11-02-2010, 12:44 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376
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11-02-2010, 12:49 AM	#6
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,978	Because of Charlie O'Donnell's death, I'm gonna become concerned about Johnny Gilbert and I hope he doesn't pass away soon himself. This is what we get for setting expectations too high. O'Donnell's voice was like a combination of the voices of Elvis Presley and WWE ring announcer Howard Finkel. Based on an earlier post I made, he ended up crumbling into dust following his death and his dust will be put in the wastebasket. Wheel of Fortune needs a replacement announcer ASAP, like M.G. Kelly. I wish he had served as announcer following Jack Clark's death. "Charlie O'Donnell pledges allegiance to the Dead Celebrities Society. And to the Philosophy for which it stands. One Nation under the Michael. Indivisible, with Integrity and Fairness for all."
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts Last edited by James28; 11-02-2010 at 01:22 AM.

11-01-2010, 08:32 PM	#3
Rezny@gmail.com Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 20, 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,675	Oh!So THAT'S why he wasn't the announcer for "Wheel of Fortune" tonight,and Johnny Gilbert was.It's funny.When Charlie 0'Donnell was on the show about a month ago,he looked very good and gave no indication he was sick,and even on last week's Halloween shows,he sounded good.Who's going to take his place?RIP Charlie.

11-02-2010, 01:34 AM	#8
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	he was also a news anchor at kcop channel 13 in cal. he was one of the best announcers ever r i p charlie we will miss you

11-02-2010, 04:06 PM	#10
BillCullen1 Game show fan Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 05, 2010 Location: New York Cuty Posts: 171	WOF will get an announcer. Whether it's Rich Fields, Randy West or Johnny Gilbert, we'll just have to wait and see. I saw Charlie O. at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. WOF did special celeb shows there in 2006. Neil Patrick Harris, Jeff Probst ands Susan Lucci were among the celebs. R.I.P. Charlie. You will be missed but not forgotten. Say hello to Jack Clark up there.

11-03-2010, 11:09 AM	#12
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,961	Charlie O'Donnell was one of the most prolific announcers of all-time. It started when he worked with Dick Clark on American Bandstand and that led to many specials that clark produced. He began his career as a game show announcer in 1967 when he did the Lloyd Thaxton game show Everybody's Talking. Since then, he has been the voice for many game shows, such as The Joker's Wild, Tic Tac Dough, The Newlywed Game and the show he best remembered for Wheel of Fortune. But O'Donnell did more than announce game shows. He was a DJ in Los Angeles and New York, read the news on KCOP-TV in Los Angeles and also announced the Emmys, Oscars and Golden Globes. May he rest in peace.

11-04-2010, 06:43 PM	#13
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: 34,377	Charlie O'Donnell of 'Wheel of Fortune,' as remembered by the show's host, Pat Sajak Link Obit writing has a great side benefit -- you often get to speak with people you’ve watched for years on TV and in the movies. My DVR isn’t programmed for “Wheel of Fortune” (solving word puzzles feels a little too much like work to me), so I wasn’t sure what to expect when the show’s host, Pat Sajak, called me Tuesday to talk about Charlie O’Donnell, the longtime “Wheel” announcer who died Monday at 78. For starters, Sajak spoke in complete, ready-for-print paragraphs about the man he so clearly admired. He was wittty, self-deprecating and came across as exceedingly kind. Here’s most of Sajak’s polished yet off-the-cuff memorial to his friend: He was the perfect voice of the show. He had an old-school style that was a little over the top. It was perfect for the show. We’re a little over the top. We’re a throwback. He loved warming up the audience. It was almost like the kids were going to the circus and he was the barker bringing them in. It was perfect for our show. Ours is a very difficult show for [announcers] to do. We are still plug-full. If you didn’t have someone who could do it in an entertaining way, it would seem like one long commercial. He made it seem like fun. He was quick on the uptake. I f I threw something at him, he threw it back. He actually paid attention to what I said. His voice is probably, almost certainly heard the most during the course of the half-hour. He talked more than I do. He quite literally was the voice of “Wheel.” It’s going to seem strange not to hear that. It’s going to take a period of adjustment, he’s been there so long. Viewers really have adopted this show. It’s been on at dinnertime for so long, and the whole family watches. As hokey as it sounds, all of us are all part of their families. It’s going to seem a little empty at the dinner table. He was great at warming up the crowd. He’s been in television forever. He loved performing in front of crowds. He took that role very seriously. … He loved meeting people, and when we went out on the road, Charlie was the first contact that thousands of people had with “Wheel of Fortune.” From an aural point of view, Charlie was the most recognizable part of this show. He really was the most professional guy I ever knew. That’s what he took pride in. He’s sort of a vanishing breed. He was a broadcaster. He started in radio and grew up in television. He knew how to do everything, from hosting rock 'n' roll radio to doing a game show. Everything he did, he took seriously in a lighthearted business. He took great pride in what he did. He was a great inspiration to all of us. We’ve done so many shows. He had genuine enthusiasm. How many trips has he plugged over the years? There was never a moment that you ever sensed that he was thinking, “I have to talk about another trip to Cabo.” Every time he announced that someone had won the money, it sounded like he won it. This is the way he would have wanted to go out, working to the end. … Charlie’s great skill was timing. If something was 13 seconds long, next time it would be 11. I figure it applied to his life. If Charlie left, it meant it was time. He got a cue. I guess it was time for him to leave. An acknowledgement of O’Donnell’s death will appear at the end of the “Wheel of Fortune” scheduled to air Friday. “Jeopardy!” announcer Johnny Gilbert will fill in on “Wheel” until a permanent successor is chosen.

11-06-2010, 10:54 AM	#14
KurtfromPitts Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 10, 2006 Location: Carnegie PA Posts: 1,534	When I first heard Charlie O's voice-on AB when it was ab'6x-I thought he sounded like a voiceover guy who was heard at the time on commercials for Duncan Hines, Crisco Oil, and Sunoco ["When you stop at Sunoco, you go with confidence"].

11-06-2010, 04:55 PM	#15
simmytbone Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 17, 2009 Posts: 1,513	These are among the names that were called by Charlie O' over the years: Bill Cullen Alex Trebek Lynn Swann Jack Barry Jim Lange Bob Eubanks Jim Caldwell Jim Perry Jim Peck Chuck Woolery Jeff MacGregor Paul Rodriguez Mike Reilly Allen Ludden Scott Sternberg Bob Goen Rolf Bernirschke Clark Race Bob Hilton Don Galloway Dick Martin Don Bleu Lloyd Thaxton Peter Tomarken Tom Kennedy Dick Clark Wink Martindale And of course: "PAT SAJAK AND VANNA WHITE!!!" Charlie O was also an announcer for Bullseye w/Jim Lange as well as the Unsold Pilot of 21 also hosted by Jim Lange God Bless You Charlie O'Donnell, R.I.P.