[Deathwatch] Don LaFontaine, voice talent, 68

[Deathwatch Central]

Movie trailer voice king Don LaFontaine dies

The Duluth native, who was known as the "King of the Voice-overs,"
worked on nearly 5,000 films.

By PAUL WALSH

September 2, 2008

A report out of Los Angeles says that Minnesota native Don LaFontaine,
known in Hollywood as the "King of Voice-overs," has died.

"Entertainment Tonight" is reporting that LaFontaine, who turned 68
last week, died Monday afternoon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los
Angeles.

His agent, Vanessa Gilbert, told "ET" that he died following
complications due to a collapsed lung.

LaFontaine grew up in Duluth, joined the Army after high school, moved
to New York City after his discharge and found work as a sound
engineer/editor.

Aside from his work in the trailer industry, he has also been the voice
of NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox and UPN, in addition to TNT, TBS and the Cartoon
Network. He's also done commercials for Chevrolet, Pontiac, Ford,
Budweiser, McDonalds, Coke and others.

He came out from behind the microphone in recent years to do a GEICO
television commercial, spoofing himself by interpreting a testimonial
from an insurance company customer.

At last count, he worked on nearly 5,000 films, including "The Elephant
Man," "Batman Returns" and "The Terminator."

"In a world ..." became one of his best-known catch phrases.

Many thanks to Deathwatch Central for posting this obituary