Don LaFontaine: The Inimitable Voice of Movie Trailers - A Career Retrospective and Tribute
Don LaFontaine was the voice that captivated millions of moviegoers around the globe. Born in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1940, LaFontaine would go on to become the quintessential voice-over artist, lending his iconic voice to thousands of movie trailers and commercials. Dubbed "The Voice of God" and "Thunder Throat," LaFontaine's legendary career spanned over three decades, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
LaFontaine began his career in the early 1960s as a sound engineer and editor before finding his true calling as a voice-over artist. His first foray into voice acting was for a movie trailer in 1963, and his career quickly took off from there.
With a voice as commanding as it was smooth, LaFontaine had a unique ability to capture the essence of a film and convey its emotional impact in just a few short sentences. He became known for his signature phrase, "In a world...", which he used to introduce countless movie trailers and has since become synonymous with the art of voice-over narration.
Fellow voice actor and close friend, Maurice LaMarche, once said, "Don was truly one of a kind. His voice was powerful and unmistakable, and he had an uncanny ability to make every trailer he worked on feel like a must-see event."
LaFontaine's distinctive voice can be heard in over 5,000 movie trailers, including iconic films like "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," "The Godfather Part III," and "Independence Day." He also lent his talents to countless commercials, network promotions, and video game trailers.
His impact on the voice acting community extended beyond his own work. LaFontaine was known for his generosity and willingness to mentor aspiring voice actors, sharing his knowledge and expertise with the next generation of talent.
Voice actress Tara Strong, who has worked on numerous animated series and films, recalls LaFontaine's influence on her career: "Don was an incredible mentor and friend. He was always willing to share his wisdom and help others succeed. I owe a lot of my own success to him."
Don LaFontaine passed away in 2008, but his legendary voice continues to resonate with fans and colleagues alike. As the undisputed king of movie trailer narration, LaFontaine will forever be remembered as an iconic figure in the world of voice acting and a pioneer who left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
