Voice Actor Gary Owens 1936-2015 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 02-13-2015, 05:58 PM

Link

Radio, TV and voiceover performer Gary Owens died on Feb. 12 at his home in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles. Owens, who was 80, had been a diabetic since the age of 8.

Owens was probably best known as the announcer on NBC’s “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” (1968-73), with his trademark hand-over-the-ear announcing style. On the show, John Wayne once imitated Owens announcing. The phrase Gary created on his KMPC radio show, “Beautiful downtown Burbank,” later became a nightly catchphrase on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show.”

Owens also lent his voice to more than 3,000 cartoons, providing the voice of “Space Ghost” as well as Blue Falcon, Roger Ramjet, Powdered Toast Man and even Batman. He was animated as himself in “Garfield and Friends,” “The Fantastic Four,” “Eek the Cat” and “Bobby’s World.”

Owens had a mellifluous baritone voice with impeccable nuanced timing, and was equally adept at comedy or deadpan delivery.

For 30 years, Owens hosted a national radio show on the Music of Your Life Network. He was a longtime radio personality at KMPC, KFI, KIIS FM, KFWB and KKGO in Los Angeles and KEWB in San Francisco.

He also collaborated with his friend Jonathan Winters, together creating three hit comedy CDs. He wrote for Jay Ward’s company for the series “Rocky & Bullwinkle,” “Fractured Flickers” and “The Nuthouse.”

Owens’ daily radio show aired on KMPC Los Angeles for 20 years and he later served as VP of Gene Autry’s Golden West Broadcasters. In 1983 he became a vice president at Gannett, then the USA’s biggest media corporation.

Owens started as a radio newscaster in Mitchell, South Dakota. When he arrived in Hollywood in 1961 for KFWB, he also began his TV career, doing four television specials a year for the Chris-Craft Corp. and their television station KCOP.

Since its inception in 1969, he was an announcer on “Sesame Street”; he was also one of the original contributors to PBS series “The Electric Company.”

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Arleta, and sons Scott Owens, a producer, and Chris Dane Owens, a musician and producer.

Donations may be made to the Children’s Diabetes Foundation.

Zoneboy · 02-13-2015, 06:12 PM

bmasters9 · 02-13-2015, 06:22 PM

Did you know that he hosted a short-lived 1969 game show spinoff of Laugh-In called Letters to Laugh-In?

ABlairican Pie · 02-13-2015, 06:44 PM

He was also the narrator on "The Perils of Penelope Pitstop", and who could forget POWDERED TOAST MAN!!!! on "Ren & Stimpy"?

king of comedy · 02-13-2015, 07:21 PM

R.I.P. Gary.

Babalu · 02-13-2015, 09:56 PM

I can't believe he was 'only' 80. I guess that deep voice made it seem he was older than he really was. I expected to see that he was in his mid-90's.

howilu · 02-14-2015, 11:43 AM

Gary Owens was one of the great voice over artists of all time. He did many cartoons and commercials as well as thousands of radio shows not only in Los Angeles but nationwide. He was the host of Soundtrack of the 60s after legendary New York DJ Murray the K passed away and he also subbed for Casey Kasem on American Top 40. He will be missed.

Regulus · 02-14-2015, 12:38 PM

I'm watching episodes of Space Ghost as a tribute to the latest "Fallen Star".

Gary Owens.

MrCleveland · 02-17-2015, 01:56 PM

Now Garfield and Friends has lost another voice actor next to Lorenzo Music and Howard Morris.

He Will Be Missed!

king of comedy · 02-17-2015, 06:31 PM

I loved Garfield and Friends!! Now I will buy in memory of him.

ForzaBot · 03-07-2015, 06:01 AM

He also voiced Inspector Gadget in the original pilot version of "Winter Olympics" where Gadget also has a mustache. Rest in Peace Mr. Owens!

king of comedy · 03-07-2015, 08:16 AM

I didn't know that.

02-13-2015, 05:58 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: 34,338	Voice Actor Gary Owens 1936-2015 Link Radio, TV and voiceover performer Gary Owens died on Feb. 12 at his home in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles. Owens, who was 80, had been a diabetic since the age of 8. Owens was probably best known as the announcer on NBC’s “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” (1968-73), with his trademark hand-over-the-ear announcing style. On the show, John Wayne once imitated Owens announcing. The phrase Gary created on his KMPC radio show, “Beautiful downtown Burbank,” later became a nightly catchphrase on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show.” Owens also lent his voice to more than 3,000 cartoons, providing the voice of “Space Ghost” as well as Blue Falcon, Roger Ramjet, Powdered Toast Man and even Batman. He was animated as himself in “Garfield and Friends,” “The Fantastic Four,” “Eek the Cat” and “Bobby’s World.” Owens had a mellifluous baritone voice with impeccable nuanced timing, and was equally adept at comedy or deadpan delivery. For 30 years, Owens hosted a national radio show on the Music of Your Life Network. He was a longtime radio personality at KMPC, KFI, KIIS FM, KFWB and KKGO in Los Angeles and KEWB in San Francisco. He also collaborated with his friend Jonathan Winters, together creating three hit comedy CDs. He wrote for Jay Ward’s company for the series “Rocky & Bullwinkle,” “Fractured Flickers” and “The Nuthouse.” Owens’ daily radio show aired on KMPC Los Angeles for 20 years and he later served as VP of Gene Autry’s Golden West Broadcasters. In 1983 he became a vice president at Gannett, then the USA’s biggest media corporation. Owens started as a radio newscaster in Mitchell, South Dakota. When he arrived in Hollywood in 1961 for KFWB, he also began his TV career, doing four television specials a year for the Chris-Craft Corp. and their television station KCOP. Since its inception in 1969, he was an announcer on “Sesame Street”; he was also one of the original contributors to PBS series “The Electric Company.” He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Arleta, and sons Scott Owens, a producer, and Chris Dane Owens, a musician and producer. Donations may be made to the Children’s Diabetes Foundation.
	__________________ '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.

02-13-2015, 06:22 PM	#3
bmasters9 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 06, 2007 Posts: 2,545	Did you know that he hosted a short-lived 1969 game show spinoff of Laugh-In called Letters to Laugh-In?
	__________________ "CBS Sports presents...The Prudential College Football Report, sponsored by The Prudential, offering a full range of insurance and other financial services. The Prudential: the Rock...it's strong, it's on the move, it's bigger than life." (Don Robertson's spiel for The Prudential College Football Report in the 1986 season; modified from what it was in 1985)

02-13-2015, 06:44 PM	#4
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,621	He was also the narrator on "The Perils of Penelope Pitstop", and who could forget POWDERED TOAST MAN!!!! on "Ren & Stimpy"?
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

02-13-2015, 09:56 PM	#6
Babalu Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 22, 2014 Posts: 4,779	I can't believe he was 'only' 80. I guess that deep voice made it seem he was older than he really was. I expected to see that he was in his mid-90's.
	__________________ . I just nailed Mrs. Trumbull

02-14-2015, 12:38 PM	#8
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,371	I'm watching episodes of *Space Ghost* as a tribute to the latest "Fallen Star". Gary Owens.
	__________________ Grail Shows: *Doc Elliot, Owen Marshall-Counselor of Law, Here's Boomer, Three for the Road, Holmes and YoYo* Bucket List Shows: *Hot Wheels, Skyhawks, Run Joe Run, Westwood*

02-13-2015, 06:12 PM	#2
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: 34,338

02-13-2015, 07:21 PM	#5
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	R.I.P. Gary.

02-14-2015, 11:43 AM	#7
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,958	Gary Owens was one of the great voice over artists of all time. He did many cartoons and commercials as well as thousands of radio shows not only in Los Angeles but nationwide. He was the host of Soundtrack of the 60s after legendary New York DJ Murray the K passed away and he also subbed for Casey Kasem on American Top 40. He will be missed.

02-17-2015, 01:56 PM	#9
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,222	Now Garfield and Friends has lost another voice actor next to Lorenzo Music and Howard Morris. He Will Be Missed!
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

02-17-2015, 06:31 PM	#10
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	I loved Garfield and Friends!! Now I will buy in memory of him.

03-07-2015, 06:01 AM	#11
ForzaBot Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 18, 2014 Location: USA Posts: 114	He also voiced Inspector Gadget in the original pilot version of "Winter Olympics" where Gadget also has a mustache. Rest in Peace Mr. Owens!

03-07-2015, 08:16 AM	#12
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	I didn't know that.