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Gary Owens, Announcer of ‘Laugh-In’ Fame, Dies at 80
Variety ^ | February 13, 2015 | Staff

Posted on 02/13/2015 2:59:38 PM PST by 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.

(Excerpt) Read more at variety.com ...


TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: diabetes; garyowens; laughin; losangeles; obituary; radio; southerncalifornia; spaceghost
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To: cyclotic
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!
61 posted on 02/13/2015 7:13:33 PM PST by W. (Dem0crat-mandated education reform killed American progress. Thanks, morons!)
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To: EveningStar

Gary was insegrevious.


62 posted on 02/13/2015 8:41:29 PM PST by Hebrews 11:6 (Do you REALLY believe that (1) God IS, and (2) God IS GOOD?)
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To: nascarnation

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.


63 posted on 02/13/2015 10:10:45 PM PST by Charles Martel (Endeavor to persevere...)
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To: Bon of Babble

Don’t forget Stan Chambers.


64 posted on 02/13/2015 10:33:31 PM PST by JohnnyP
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To: ifinnegan

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


65 posted on 02/13/2015 11:53:44 PM PST by Yaelle (Each time Brian Williams lied, it was right after Bill Cosby fixed him a drink.)
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To: Yaelle

Here it is.

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

Let us know if you remember it.


66 posted on 02/14/2015 12:39:14 AM PST by ifinnegan
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To: logitech

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


67 posted on 02/14/2015 7:15:54 AM PST by WXRGina (The Founding Fathers would be shooting by now.)
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