Don LaFontaine - "The King of Voiceovers" Dies

In a rare appearance, Don Lafontaine appeared in a GEICO insurance commercial where he narrated a woman's tale of a car accident with his signature "In a world..." introduction. It was the first time that I had ever seen the man, although the voice is unmistakable. The man with the great voice that has graced so many movie trailers over the years has passed away at the age of 68.

Mr. LaFontaine spent many providing voiceovers to trailers, more than 5,000 in his career. His first appearance came in the promo for the 1965 western Gunfighters of Casa Grande for MGM. Want to know how he got the chance? The original talent failed to show up. It just goes to show that you never now when a life changing opportunity will present itself.

The Minnesota native died in Los Angeles of a collapsed lung. Mr. Lafontaine is survived by his wife and three daughters.

The man, the myth, the legend, Don Lafontaine will be missed, you may not know the face, but you will always recognize the voice.