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May 27, 2012

'Wheel of Fortune' Announcer Charlie O'Donnell Dies at 78

by PopEater Staff, posted Nov 2nd 2010 10:20AM

Charlie O'Donnell'Wheel of Fortune' announcer Charlie O'Donnell, whose signature voice opened the game show for decades, died at the age of 78 in his Los Angeles home.

Agent Fred Wostbrock said Monday that O'Donnell -- who voiced the game show even before hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White joined -- said the cause was unclear.

O'Donnell's signature phrase, "Wheeeeeeel of Fortune," could be heard on the show from its beginning with host Chuck Woolery in 1975. He worked on the show until 1980, and again from 1988 until his death.

O'Donnell was a popular radio DJ in New York before starting his television career in Philadelphia with Dick Clark on 'American Bandstand.'

He also served as announcer for Oscar and Emmy telecasts and other game shows, including 'The Newlywed Game.'

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Nick

Charlie O'Donnell was the last great television announcer that was still active in television. It's sad, but all of those legends have either died or are in retirement. Today's younger television announcers suck for the most part.

November 02 2010 at 9:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Nick's comment
tingrin87

Johnny Gilbert (Jeopardy) and Don Pardo (SNL) are still announcing their respective shows - i think they're the last 2 legends still active.

November 04 2010 at 1:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Louis

R.I.P.

November 02 2010 at 7:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JustSomeGuy

He was also a news anchor at KCOP-13 in Los Angeles in the 1970s. I saw him in a store when I was around nine years old and said to my mother "Look, it's the news guy." He was impressed that a nine year old even watched the news and thankedme for watching.

November 02 2010 at 10:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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