Voiceover King Don LaFontaine passes away

[theEpiphany]

Voiceover King LaFontaine Dies

2 September 2008 9:04 AM, PDT

Voiceover legend Don LaFontaine has died after suffering from a collapsed lung.

The dramatic star, known as the King of Voiceovers, passed away at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Monday, aged 68.

LaFontaine's agent, Vanessa Gilbert, tells ETonline.com that he died following complications from pneumothorax - when air or gas gets into the pleural cavity - after his lung collapsed.

However, the official cause of death has yet to be confirmed.

During his lengthy career, LaFontaine lent his booming vocal chords to more than 5,000 movie trailers and 300,000 radio and TV commercials, including advertisements for corporate giants such as McDonalds, Coca-Cola and Budweiser. His signature introductory phrase began with the words, "In a world where..."

He also served as the in-show announcer for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the Academy Awards.

LaFontaine, who had been receiving treatment for the health issue for the last few months, is survived by his singer/actress wife Nita Whitaker and their three children, Christine, Skye and Elyse.
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