Don Pardo, the booming voice that has served as announcer for Saturday Night Live since the very beginning, has died. He was 96 years old. According to an NBC spokesperson (via THR), he died Monday evening in his sleep.
Don Pardo, the voice of ‘Saturday Night Live,’ has died at 96
Pardo has been a part of SNL for more years that even creator Lorne Michaels, having served as the announcer for all but the 1981–1982 season. Outside of that, he’s only missed a few episodes due to illness (on at least one occasion, former SNL cast member Darrell Hammond filled in for him). Prior to SNL, Pardo was the original voice for The Price is Right and a pre-Alex Trebek Jeopardy.
rip to the most golden voice of all golden voices. SNL's and your very own Don Pardo.
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) August 19, 2014 On Sept 13th 2008 I heard Don Pardo say my name for the first time. I cried until the 16th. Thanks Don. I owe you a coffee.
— Bobby Moynihan (@bibbymoynihan) August 19, 2014 Our condolences to the family of Don Pardo. He was a legend & a gentleman whose voice will never be forgotten. We're lucky to have known him
— SNL Weekend Update (@SNLUpdate) August 19, 2014 For most of my 22 SNL years, Pardo did the announce live from a booth under the seats, swinging his arms like a conductor & giving it life.
— Mike Shoemaker (@shoemakermike) August 19, 2014 RIP Don Pardo. A voice that meant so much. http://t.co/X4q9TeHVbO
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) August 19, 2014 RIP the amazing Don Pardo.My favorite was when Andy Samberg made him say very un-Pardo things like this: https://t.co/m79pifuuSZ
— Colin Jost (@TheColinJost) August 19, 2014 Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
