Don LaFontaine, Voice Of Movie Trailers, Dies At 68

LOS ANGELES — Don LaFontaine, the man who popularized the catch phrase "In a world where..." and lent his voice to thousands of movie trailers, has died. He was 68. LaFontaine died Monday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from complications in the treatment of an ongoing illness, said Vanessa Gilbert, his agent.

LaFontaine made more than 5,000 trailers in his 33-year career while working for the top studios and television networks.

In a rare on-screen appearance in 2006, he parodied himself on a series of national television commercials for a car insurance company where he played himself telling a customer, "In a world where both of our cars were totally under water..."

In an interview last year, LaFontaine explained the strategy behind the phrase.

"We have to very rapidly establish the world we are transporting them to," he said of his viewers. "That's very easily done by saying, `In a world where ... violence rules.' `In a world where ... men are slaves and women are the conquerors.' You very rapidly set the scene."

LaFontaine insisted he never cared that no one knew his name or his face, though everyone knew his voice.

LaFontaine went on to work in the promo industry in the early 1960s. As an audio engineer, he produced radio spots for movies with producer Floyd Peterson.

When an announcer didn't show up for a recording session in 1965, LaFontaine voiced his first narration, a promo for the film, "Gunfighters of Casa Grande." The client, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, liked his performance.

LaFontaine remained active until recently, averaging seven to 10 voiceover sessions a day. He worked from a home studio his wife nicknamed "The Hole," where his fax machine delivered scripts.

LaFontaine is survived by his wife, the singer and actress Nita Whitaker, and three daughters.

His funeral arrangements were pending.

Comments

[barriosbabe]

He was killed by medicine. You should read his own diary entry, it's online ...... they nicked his lung during surgery; the over-chemo radiation gave him diabetes, long list of malpractice stuff.

[ascannerlightly]

Don LaFontaine, Nick Tate, John Leader, Mark Elliot, and Al Chalk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pYCawF11y8

[heretical eggs]

My sympathies to his family, and I hope he passed in peace. I had absolutely nothing against him personally, but in the last few years to me at least his voice had become an absolute cliche' in movie trailers.

In the last year, I could not stand to hear his voice. To me it was a metaphor of conformity in an art form that demands diversity, but wait. We're talking about Hollywood. Never mind.

Regardless of my sarcasm, it seemed literally every single main stream film HAD to have Don LaFontaine as a voice over in the trailer.

In the last few years many other Don LaFontaine clones emerged. NBC had one whose voice was even more extreme that LaFontaine's.

I'm hoping that the entertainment industry can find and use more diverse voice overs in the future instead of making a clone or finding another ONE voice over. Most independent films never used him.

Mr. LaFontaine to his credit did have a sense of humor it appeared. His Geico commercial was funny, brilliant and the last time I didn't cringe when I heard him speak.

That is just my opinion. As a human, I hope he finds in his passing a great new gig. Peace.

[Vyvjala]

His voice connects with a radio commercial for bud called "Real men of Genius."

[totalliberal]

In a world where an old lunatic becomes president we should all hide underground.

In a world where a crazed religio nut-case becomes second in command, we should all wrap ourselves in lead.

[CocteausTwin]

From what i know Don you were a very decent guy. Your voice was one that was unmistakable. Best wishes to your family.

[lisakaz2]

In a world that is bereft of a great voice artist...

Don you will be missed (I loved that commercial with you).

[LiberalBuzz]

A good guy. RIP Don.

LOVED the voice.

[RaraAvis17]

He had my dream job. I would love to do voice overs. RIP Mr. Voice.

[sometimeshere]

I imagine his voice saying this line will linger a very long time in our culture's consciousness.

[nickrthomas]

A voice known all over the world, not just from his own work but from all those movie trailer parodies that have imitated it.

[NoSillyName]

Love his voice. Love the Geico commercials. Sorry for his family.

[Swerinjer]

I'm speechless, so to speak.

[BlueandGreen]

The best (and certainly least annoying) GEICO commercial, ever! Great voice.

[JailNeoconVicts]

Don was a fabulous guy, incredibly generous and giving of his time and energy to his kids and their neighborhood theatre group, among many other things. He was a lot more than that great voice so many people heard. He was a real mensch.

[BannedFromCommenting]

Tell that to Eric8869 below.. read his kind post...

[Eric8869]

He still didn't deserve 7 figure salary for doing voice overs for movie promos. I don't see you out there trying to pay teachers more or bring healthcare costs down. Give me a break with your outrage.