I received this in an email forwarded to me this evening by Dan O’Day, quoting from the Entertainment Tonight web site.
Voiceover Master DON LaFONTAINE died Monday afternoon at 2:10 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles at the age of 68. Don’s agent, Vanessa Gilbert, tells Entertainment Tonight 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 Voice-overs.”
Aside from being the preeminent voice in the movie trailer industry … Don has also been the voice of Entertainment Tonight and The Insider, CBS, NBC ABC, Fox and UPN, in addition to TNT, TBS and the Cartoon Network. By conservative estimates, he has 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.
Voiceover coach Marice Tobias emails with the same news. Please support Nita and the children with your prayers.
(Edited to add link and attribution to story’s authorship)
We often talk about how VO is about so much more than “the voice.” Here’s more proof.
Don’s quality that struck me as being even bigger than his talent was his generosity. He consistently shared his performance tricks with new VO folks others might have regarded as “competition.” Yep, more than the voice, more than the talent, his giving spirit is why he was the King to me.
Thru the very posting of this and so much else, Bob, you continue to promote a similar spirit of sharing and encouragement.
I think that’s a lot of what Don was all about.
Thank you.
Nancy,
Thank you for your kindness. I don’t know that I’ve been paid a higher compliment in recent memory.
Be well,
Bob
I’m deeply saddened at this news. Even though I never got the chance to meet Don in person, I will always cherish that one special phone call I had with him last summer. He lived life with drive and passion, and lots of love. My prayers to his wife and children.
Steve Stone
Steve,
I’m with you in the prayers for Nita and the children. I’m sure this is going to be a very tough season for them.
Be well,
Bob
Don was the best in so many ways. Talented, generous, and a joy to be around. He will be truly missed. Like Nancy said, he was the Voice and the King for so many reasons.
We love you, Don!
And much love to Nita and their children.
Anna,
Thank you.
Be well,
Bob
Dear Bob,
Thank you for sharing this with everyone. Don is with God borne upon eagle’s wings. Let us give a prayer of thanksgiving for a life that touched millions of people and has left us with a legacy of inspiration and hope.
To Nita, Christine, Skye and Elyse, our deepest sympathies.
Sincerely,
Stephanie
I never had the opportunity to meet Don in person nor even via email, but since joining and participating in several of the VO online communities, I can’t help but believe that I’ve witnessed the effects of the example that Don set for those in the industry.
This is the most kind and supportive group of people that I’ve ever had the priviledge of getting to know and work with. While some may appear stubborn or opinionated at times, everyone I’ve dealt with directly has been ready to jump in and help with technical issues or to critique a demo.
So to that end, some of Don lives on in each of us.
Thoughts and prayers go out to Don’s family and friends during this time.
Stephanie and Britt,
Thank you for your comments.
Be well,
Bob