Don LaFontaine: 1940-2008
In a world…where Don LaFontaine is The King of Voiceovers, movie trailers were always so much more exciting. Sadly, LaFontaine just recently passed away and left a legacy that exists in countless film and televison ads. His career, which spans decades and covers numerous projects, is best remembered for the wonderfully serious (and, occasionally, not so serious) voice over narrations he provided to hundreds, heck, THOUSANDS, of movie trailers. Fans of Coming Attractions previews know his voice all too well and, for a few highlights, check out his work after the break.
Terminator 2
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWutJqsk0IE[/youtube]
A hilarious cameo in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Trailer
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbGNcoB2Y4I[/youtube]
The Simpsons Movie (a dead-on self parody)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB7VF980cEA[/youtube]
Friday the 13th (who would’ve thought numbers could be so terrifying?)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEgahzAwOy8[/youtube]
and finally, LaFontaine’s personal favorite, his moving narration of The Elephant Man trailer
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye4YTZOq2fk[/youtube]
Truly, going to the movies won’t be the same without him. He is survived by his wife, Nita Whitaker and his three daughters. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.
