In a world where movie trailers were a key way to drum up excitement for an upcoming feature, there was but one king: Don LaFontaine. LaFontaine, whose voice is probably the one that pops into your head anytime you hear that classic "In a world . . . " beginning, recorded more than 5,000 voiceovers for commercials, video games, and — most notably — movie trailers over the course of his career. LaFontaine died Monday at age 68 from complications from a collapsed lung.
Among the companies that used LaFontaine as their official voice: Paramount, TBS, TNT, the Cartoon Network, and every broadcast TV network except the WB. Some of his best-known work was in trailers for The Godfather, Fatal Attraction, and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and he'd more recently parodied himself in a Geico insurance commercial. He often said in interviews that his own favorite voiceover was the trailer for The Elephant Man, but he tried not to let his own opinions seep into his voiceovers. As he once told Swindle magazine:
My philosophy is that you have to really believe what you're reading, even if you think the film's a piece of junk. Even the worst picture is someone's favorite film, and that someone is the fan I am always talking to.
One thing's for sure: Movie trailers won't be the same without him. To see some of LaFontaine's work, including a Good Morning America interview, the Geico ad, and the Elephant Man trailer he loved, just read more.
CNC Costume National
Andrea Conti
Cotswold Company
This is so sad! I just watched the interview and clips with my husband, that voice has been with us for a long time. My condolences to his family and friends.
1Its crazy how we didn't even know his name (though I am sure there are plenty of movie buffs that did) but I definitely agree that trailers will not be the same without him. May he RIP.
2Oh so sad, RIP. I only learned his name recently, but his voice is so familiar and memorable. Maybe they have enough material to remix work of his for other trailers- his voice/work should live on.
3That's so sad! He will definitely be missed.
4This makes me so incredibly sad. And what a fantastic philosophy he had on his voiceover work. I'll really miss hearing his voice in future trailers.
5RIP...had to love his trailers. Your intro to the story was very cute though, Buzz
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6A part of all of our lives without us even knowing it, and a great talent. R.I.P.
And I can see why it was his favourite voiceover..it does make me want to see the Elephant Man - its so eloquently put together! I did not see it when it came out but I was pretty young..
7i read about this earlier and it's such sad news. his voice was really recognizable even if you didn't know the man behind it. i think that we're going to feel the loss of this one.
8Aww that's so sad. He had such an awesome voice, he will truly be missed.
9His voice was AMAZING. I have so much respect for voice-over actors, and his voice was legendary. It's so cool to hear is regular voice and not his "voice-over" voice too in the clips. He left too soon.
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