Gary Owens, Announcer of ‘Laugh-In’ Fame, Dies at 80

Variety ^ | February 13, 2015 | Staff

[EveningStar]

Radio, TV and voiceover performer Gary Owens died on Feb. 12 at his home in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles. Owens, who was 80, had been a diabetic since the age of 8.

Owens was probably best known as the announcer on NBC’s “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” (1968-73), with his trademark hand-over-the-ear announcing style. On the show, John Wayne once imitated Owens announcing. The phrase Gary created on his KMPC radio show, “Beautiful downtown Burbank,” later became a nightly catchphrase on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show.”

Owens also lent his voice to more than 3,000 cartoons, providing the voice of “Space Ghost” as well as Blue Falcon, Roger Ramjet, Powdered Toast Man and even Batman.

[W.]

Let's say I vaguely remember it... All us kids listened to the 'Big 8' for the music, as FM was just cranking up in the early 70's. Wow, just realized we've seen the rise and fall of FM radio, with the introduction of internet radio. Well, fall, more or less--and besides, FM is half commercials anymore. Boo!

[Hebrews 11:6]

Gary was insegrevious.

[Charles Martel]

Yeah, the tie, shirt and handkerchief combo is like a hint of Sonny Bono’s wardrobe peeking out from inside a (then) unremarkable suit. Gotta love the wide leather watch band, too. So period-specific.

[JohnnyP]

Don’t forget Stan Chambers.

[Yaelle]

Trying to remember the Sav-on song. Help me out. I remember Geoff Edwards and the lock ness monnster??? Not sure why???

[ifinnegan]

Here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcgQt6V3QKY

Let us know if you remember it.

[WXRGina]

Ping to #25 cool colorized (and time flies sentiments).