“Wheel of Fortune” Announcer Charlie O’Donnell Passes Away
Sad news to pass along. The longtime announcer of Wheel of Fortune, Charlie O’Donnell, has passed away. The news has been confirmed by people close to Mr. O’Donnell. He passed away last night. Charlie was known for being the voice of Wheel of Fortune since 1988 and announced for various other shows such as To Tell The Truth, Pyramid, and others. You can read about all of them here.
Charlie was born in Philadelphia, PA, and started working in the 60s as a disc jockey for the Los Angeles station KRLA. This led to an anchor position for KCOP news. Some memorable announcing moments for Charlie include The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl and Dodger Stadium in 1965, 1966, and 1967; The Rolling Stones in 1965, and Pope John Paul II’s visit to Los Angeles and the Papal nationwide teleconference in 1987.
Charlie began his announcing career working with Dick Clark on American Bandstand and announced for awards presentations such as The Academy Awards, The Emmy Awards, The Golden Globe Awards and The American Music Awards and others. Game shows Charlie announced for include The Dating Game, Everybody’s Talking, The Gong Show, The Guinness Game, Hot Potato, The Joker’s Wild, Let’s Go Back, Monopoly, The Newlywed Game, The Parent Game, Stumpers, Tic Tac Dough, To Tell The Truth, Trivia Trap, Wedding Party, The Wizard of Odds and Wordplay.
Our condolences and best wishes to his family. If you’ve got any memories about Charlie we’d love to hear them.
First off, for those “TPIR” elite who are still trying to get Rich Fields an announcing job, out of respect to Charlie O, please keep it to yourself! The man hasn’t even been buried yet, and you’re trying to get Rich another announcing job when he already HAS a job as a weatherman at a local Los Angeles weather station!
Back to the topic at hand, Charlie O was one of the elite that will always be up there with Johnny Olson, Gene Wood, Rod Roddy, and many of the other great announcers in the game show genre. Dick Clark not only had Charlie for “Pyramid”, but he was also on all of the awards shows that he produced, as well as “American Bandstand.”
Also, when Charlie came back after Jack Clark’s death in 1988, he helped that show get back on track with that soothing voice of his.
It’s kind of sad to know that most of the crew of “Press Your Luck” is no longer with us, as the only announcer alive from the show now is John Harlan, who took turns with Charlie replacing Rod on the show when he was unable to announce there.
I’m sure that Charlie is living it up with Johnny and company, but at the same time complaining of the lack of respect that GSN not only gives their works, but for the lack of classic game shows in general. They really ought to take a look and see who their true audience is, as it isn’t all for the new versions of “Family Feud”, and “Deal Or No Deal.”
What the hell makes me a TPIR elite? Just because little ol’ me and who knows how many others made a suggestion that Rich at least try for it. Yes, I’m damn well aware that Charlie hasn’t been buried yet. But that shouldn’t prevent anyone from speculating or making suggestions for whoever the hell they’d like to see try to replace Charlie. Duane, I’m not much younger than you, so I know Charlie’s work, and I know he is very much revered in the game show community. And rightly so. But just because we happen to be between his passing and burial shouldn’t prevent us from discussing any possible successor,
Pat Sajak has confirmed Rich Fields is taping with them this week. Production resumed yesterday and Fields was in the chair, according to Twitter accounts.
I figured as much. Not too long ago Rich tweeted that he has met Alex Trebek and thanked Harry Friedman so I figured Friedman would give him a chance to announce on Wheel. Guess I’m not the only one who thinks Rich would be a decent successor to Charlie.
That was a shocker.
I remember him yelling to Michelle Lowenstein “IT’S OUR BIGGEST PAY DAY YET?” $1,000,000! He was one of the bests. RIP Charlie O’Donnell
Charlie was a rarity in this era, a mellow, old-school announcing style that you just don’t hear anymore. Except for Johnny Gilbert, all of the greats are either retired or deceased. In an era where announcers are extinct, it was always great to see the show include him as part of their family (the countless interactions b/w he and Pat, his cameo in the April Fools 2010 episode).
RIP Charlie, you and that magnificent voice will be missed.
He will be missed.
This absolutely shocked me.
Best wishes and regards to his friends and family. Charlie O, in my mind is one of the greats, alongside Johnny O., Gene Wood, and Johnny Gilbert.
i agree greg i was shocked as well and among all of those you mentioned lets not forget the great rod roddy
R.I.P. Chuck
one of the greatest announcers in TV history, right next to gene wood and johnny gilbert.
R.I.P Chuck. You will be missed!
Charlie was one of the BEST game show announcers in the biz!!! And he will be greatly missed!!! He’s now at that big announcer’s booth in the sky!! May your spirit live on, Mr. O’Donnell!!
For those who are looking for a lasting tribute to Charlie O, the Wii WOF game relies extensively on his voice, moreso even than Pat or Vanna. And the game itself plays exactly like TV (sound effects, music, etc.). A must-have that underscores what a loss Charlie’s passing was.
Charlie O. was the only announcer who could say, “WHEEEEEEEEEEEL OF FORTUNE!” Neither Jack Clark nor MG Kelly had that kind of power.
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[...] Sad news to pass along. The longtime announcer of Wheel of Fortune, Charlie O'Donnell, has passed away. The news has been confirmed by people close to Mr. O'Donnell. He passed away last night. Charlie was known for being the voice of More… [...]