For famous announcers, being well-known for your voice isn’t quite the same being well-known for your face, especially in this day of the unrelenting paparazzi. Those who found fame and fortune as announcers owe their careers to a combination of things. Being an effective public announcer calls for having a clear and strong voice, good enunciation and the ability to read copy naturally and without making a lot of mistakes.
Some of the most long lived careers in public announcing have been for those working in television. Game show announcers and late night TV show announcers are probably the ones most commonly remembered. Most people remember Johnny Carson from his decades of late night TV and there, at his side on most every show, was the famous Ed McMahon. For 30 years McMahon was at Carson’s side and will ever be remembered for his announcement at the beginning of each show, “Here’s Johnny!”
Besides doing the tonight Show for 30 years, McMahon was seen in many other places on the small screen. He did many Budweiser Beer ads, hosted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for years and emceed Star Search and TV’s Bloopers and Practical Jokes. He also was frequently seen giving away money to winners of the American Family Publishers Sweepstakes.
Other late night TV announcers who gained acclaim include Gene Rayburn and Hugh Downs. They worked the Tonight Show before Johnny and Ed took over, and both later became well known game show hosts. David Letterman’s announcer, Alan Kalter is famous because he’s not just a voice. He actually gets quite a bit of camera time on Late Night With David Letterman. Don Pardo, another well known voice man, has been on Saturday Night Live for ages as well as numerous games shows and daytime soap operas.
The one man best known for his booming voice on so many movie trailers was Don LaFontaine, also known as ‘Thunder Throat’. After more than five thousand voice overs for movie previews he was the unqualified king of the movie trailer. He also did thousands and thousands of television commercials during his long tenure as an announcer.
Famous announcers are few and far between but, for those who have found this career it’s a great job. It pays well, has reasonable working hours and isn’t too difficult. Plus, those who start out as announcers often graduate to even bigger and better things.
Hear a Hollywood announcer no at myvoice over guy. When you have an experienced announcer, you can reach a wider audience and expand your visibility in your industry.