Film Trailers: You’ve Heard the Voice, Now Meet the Man
It’s a question everybody who’s ever visited the cinema in the last 20 odd years has wondered. People want to know who that guy is that does the voices over’s for the trailers before their chosen flick.
Donald LaFontaine (Don) is the person everyone wants to meet. He was born August 26, 1940 in Duluth, Minnesota and after high school enlisted in the army and plied his trade as a recording engineer for the army band. After his discharge LaFontaine went to work in New York City for The National Recording Studio where he eventually went into business with the producer for various radio shows. This is where LaFontaine came up with his many now famous trailer catch phrases. His big break as a voice over came in 1964 when the film being produced within his company did not have a voice over person. LaFontaine filled in and the rest is history. He developed his own voice over company and went on to voice trailers for over 5000 movies, hundreds of thousands of television commercials and video game titles. LaFontaines most recognisable trailers come in the form of Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Shrek, Cast Away and The Simpsons Movie.
His death came as a shock in September of 2008 at the age of 68 when a blot clot forced a collapsed lung and a Hollywood legend was lost.
Don LaFontaine’s Story by Don LaFontaine
Terminator 2: Judgement Day Trailer
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User Comments
MJPatrick
On February 17, 2009 at 8:35 am
The effect of their voice is so intense that make every scene effective, a task difficult to do but well done to them. Great post, friend!
Maria Blazz
On February 17, 2009 at 8:48 am
Good article! It must be strange that your voice is so famous around the globe but your face is almost unknown.
HatedNation
On February 17, 2009 at 9:59 am
Awesome, this guy was great. One of the better voices, besides Sam Elliot, Now thats a money voice.
lindalulu
On February 17, 2009 at 10:07 am
Nice article and the guy was awesome!
Kate Smedley
On February 17, 2009 at 10:37 am
Great article RJ, didn’t realise he’d died!
hfj
On February 17, 2009 at 12:48 pm
A very nice tribute to a very talented man. I was shocked when Mr. Don passed away last year. I had just seen him in a tv commercial, and next thing i know he is dead. He will be sorely missed. Well done.
Glynis Smy
On February 17, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I am afraid it was a voice I knew but not the man, great article. Added to Delicious
John McDonnell
On February 17, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Don’s voice seemed to be everywhere, but I never knew what he looked like. Good article.
Hein Marais
On February 17, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Movie trailers will never be the same.
nobert soloria bermosa
On February 17, 2009 at 5:09 pm
i didn’t know that,thanks
Chris Stonecipher
On February 17, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Your articles are always informative and entertaining.
Bo Jack Russo
On February 17, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Hi RJ,how are you? I saw him too in the Geico commercials but recognized the voice immediately.He was in a class all his own,nice piece and I would like to mention even though you are starting to live the writers dream with the newspaper job that you have not forgotten about us.You are an inspiration to many of us.
Liane Schmidt
On February 17, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Interesting! He has a very unique, notable gift!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Sandra Tapia
On February 17, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Both me and my husband were fascinated with Donald LaFontaine when we first heard about him in 1989! What was so remarkable about him is that he was a one shot performer. He was known for getting it right the first time, and was paid millions for doing so. My question now is will there ever be a GREAT such as him? It’s wonderful to see someone else find interest in his talent!
Lauren Axelrod
On February 17, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Interesting to put the face with the voice. I’m not really that familiar with him.
Juancav
On February 17, 2009 at 7:56 pm
An unknown face but a recognizable voice.
Ruby Hawk
On February 17, 2009 at 8:21 pm
We all recognize this popular voice and now we have a face to go with it.
B Nelson
On February 17, 2009 at 8:28 pm
funny.. I never gave this much thought, until now. Thanks for the link!
RJ Chamberlain
On February 17, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Thanks everyone for your kind words. He was a legend of a man. Thanks a lot BoJack will write here until I run out of ideas.
Cheers,
RJ
rutherfranc
On February 17, 2009 at 9:40 pm
thank you for bringing out the face behind the voice..
Lost in Arizona
On February 17, 2009 at 11:23 pm
It’s sad that he passed away. In some respects, I anticipated the trailers more than the movies, just because I liked the sound of Don’s voice. It was the anticipation that he built up while describing the movie that made it so cool… Good article.
Anne Lyken Garner
On February 18, 2009 at 2:02 am
I tried twice yesterday, to leave a comment here. It just disappears.
I’ve always wanted to find out what he looked like. Thanks for writing this article.
Yovita Siswati
On February 18, 2009 at 5:35 am
Interesting article! now I know how he looks like.
CutestPrincess
On February 18, 2009 at 9:19 am
thanks for the info… interesting article…
eddiego65
On February 24, 2009 at 7:47 am
What a great voice! Thanks, now I can connect the voice with a face.
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