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Current Events => Breaking News => Topic started by: TheSarge on September 02, 2008, 10:50:40 AM

Title: DON LAFONTAINE DIES AT 68
Post by: TheSarge on September 02, 2008, 10:50:40 AM
Voiceover Master Don LaFontaine has died. He was 68.

LaFontaine, known as the "King of Voiceovers," died Monday afternoon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. LaFontaine's agent, Vanessa Gilbert, tells ET that he passed away following complications from Pneumothorax, the presence of air or gas in the pleural cavity, the result of a collapsed lung. The official cause of death has not yet been released.

Over the past 25 years, LaFontaine cemented his position as the "King of Voiceovers." Aside from being the preeminent voice in the movie trailer industry, Don also worked as the voice of Entertainment Tonight and The Insider, as well as for CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox and UPN, in addition to TNT, TBS and the Cartoon Network. By conservative estimates, he voiced hundreds of thousands of television and radio spots, including commercials for Chevrolet, Pontiac, Ford, Budweiser, McDonalds, Coke, and many other corporate sponsors.

He recently parodied himself on a series of national television commercials for Geico. At last count, he has worked on nearly 5000 films, including appearances as the in-show announcer for the Screen Actors Guild and Academy Awards. Based on contracts signed, he has the distinction of being perhaps the single busiest actor in the history of SAG. Don is survived by his wife -- singer/actress Nita Whitaker, and three children: Christine, Skye and Elyse.

http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/09/64990/index.html
Title: Re: DON LAFONTAINE DIES AT 68
Post by: Chris on September 02, 2008, 11:02:12 AM
[youtube=425,350]JQRtuxdfQHw[/youtube]

He will be missed.  :(
Title: Re: DON LAFONTAINE DIES AT 68
Post by: TheSarge on September 02, 2008, 11:10:53 AM
 :rotf:

I had never seen that before.


I think AL Chalk had at one time been LaFontaine's protoge...they sound a lot alike.

Sadly Don had no one that I was aware of to leave his V/o business to.

One of my soldiers had gone out last summer and done some understudy type of work with him and Don had been kind enough to V/o the intro to our ball the last two years.

He'll be missed.
Title: Re: DON LAFONTAINE DIES AT 68
Post by: TheSarge on September 02, 2008, 11:16:47 AM
Probably the best imitation of Don I've seen.


[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPBvFXf9Q2U&feature=related[/youtube]
Title: Re: DON LAFONTAINE DIES AT 68
Post by: Donpeyote on September 02, 2008, 11:52:45 AM
 His voice will live foreever ...
Title: Re: DON LAFONTAINE DIES AT 68
Post by: jinxmchue on September 02, 2008, 01:42:41 PM
In a world without Don LaFontaine...


RIP, Mr. LaFontaine.  And thank you.
Title: Re: DON LAFONTAINE DIES AT 68
Post by: jinxmchue on September 02, 2008, 01:43:43 PM
Probably the best imitation of Don I've seen.


[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPBvFXf9Q2U&feature=related[/youtube]


He should be hired to carry on the legacy.
Title: Re: DON LAFONTAINE DIES AT 68
Post by: Ptarmigan on September 02, 2008, 07:20:02 PM
In a world where ptarmigans defeat the bunnies. RIP Don LaFontaine. My condolences to his family and friends.  :( :bawl: Your voice will live on.
Title: Re: DON LAFONTAINE DIES AT 68
Post by: Chris_ on September 02, 2008, 08:14:11 PM
[youtube=425,350]JQRtuxdfQHw[/youtube]

He will be missed.  :(

Chris -- thank you SO much for posting that.  I have always loved voice talent and that was the ultimate V/T video.

I was almost literally FOFLOL -- and I laughed so hard I am in tears (LOLWTIME?)

What a class guy and yes, he will be missed.

Prayers for the family.

Title: Re: DON LAFONTAINE DIES AT 68
Post by: Airwolf on September 02, 2008, 08:51:24 PM
Probably the best imitation of Don I've seen.


[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPBvFXf9Q2U&feature=related[/youtube]


Thats to damn funny.