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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 ...
He was also the original host of the night-time version of the Gong Show, as well as the news announcer on “The Green Hornet” and too many other parts to cover here. He was a prototype announcer.
Memorable fella. RIP.
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He was a long time radio announcer in my neck of the woods.
RIP, Gary. I remember KMPC always on my mom’s radio. And you were ahead of your time: downtown Burbank is pretty nice these days!
Fabulous narrator - I loved his voice.
Dang, I remember Gary Owens on KEWB - I didn’t realize it was the same guy on Laugh-In. Came across as a good guy to me. Married over 50 years says a lot.
Laugh-In was just a great series, especially the first couple of years - really funny.
You mean KFWB?
I was always surprised at how well Goldie Hahn aged.
Another icon of the Baby Boomers’ youth slips away.
I guess Hawn is the correct spelling.
Beautiful Downtown Burbank will never be the same, RIP.
Space Ghost and Roger Ramjet?
Dang, I did not know that.
RIP Mr. Owens.
He was good.
One time he was doing football scores:
“The results of the Hereto-Expector game are in: Hereto - 4, Expector - 8. And listen to this!: Indianapolis - 500, Chicago - 7!”
KEWB was a sister station to KFWB.
No,I can hear the jingle now...
“K E W B, Channel 91!”
San Francisco Bay Area. Back then it was KEWB and KYA and later KFRC.
RIP, listened to GO’s morning show on CKLW driving to tech school in 74-75, and he was on some overnight radio show a few years back as well. Look at the pic in #4, notice the fingers on the clock hand over 7... ;)
Knew him well, he was a true conservative and a great American patriot.
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