April 21, 2011 - Charlie O'Donnell

Charles John "Charlie" O'Donnell (August 12, 1932 – November 1, 2010) was an American radio and television announcer, primarily known for his work on game shows. Among them, he was best known for Wheel of Fortune, where he worked from 1975 to 1980, and again from 1989 until his death. O'Donnell, a native Philadelphian, began his career as a teenager at WCHA in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. In 1956, he worked as program director at WHAT, a 250-watt R&B station in Philadelphia, where he discovered and launched the career of future Philadelphia radio legend Hy Lit. When WIBG became top-40 in 1957, O'Donnell was named news director. In 1958, he became the sidekick of Dick Clark on WFIL-TV's afternoon dance program, American Bandstand. This led to several stints as a disc jockey on Los Angeles radio (most notably on legendary Pasadena station KRLA, 1964–67), and later as news anchorman on Los Angeles television station KCOP-TV. KCOP was the home of The Joker's Wild and Tic-Tac-Dough during its initial syndicated reigns. He is also featured on the Simon and Garfunkel song 7 O'Clock News/Silent Night as the news announcer. He also made a full-time career as an announcer on many television shows throughout the decades, with such series as The Joker's Wild, Tic-Tac-Dough, Bullseye and The $100,000 Pyramid (again working with Dick Clark). He also served as announcer for the American Music Awards, the Emmy Awards and the Academy Awards. O'Donnell was also known as the announcer of the game show Wheel of Fortune. He filled this role from 1975 to 1980, acted as a substitute for his successor, Jack Clark, and returned to the show permanently several months after Clark's death in 1988. Between Clark's death and O'Donnell's return, disc jockey M.G. Kelly announced the show for most of its sixth season. Among the game show companies O'Donnell had worked for as a primary announcer were Stefan Hatos-Monty Hall Productions (1973–1977), Merv Griffin Enterprises/Sony Pictures Television (1975–80 and 1989–2010), Barry & Enright Productions (1981–86), and Barris Industries (1986–89 and earlier on occasion). He has also announced game shows for Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions (Card Sharks, Trivia Trap, Family Feud, To Tell the Truth); Bob Stewart Productions, and for Hill-Eubanks Group's All Star Secrets and The Guinness Game. He and John Harlan filled in for Rod Roddy on different occasions on Press Your Luck.On the morning of November 1, 2010, O'Donnell was reported to have died in his sleep overnight from heart failure at his home in Sherman Oaks, California. He is survived by his wife, Ellen. Shortly before his death, the show began rotating announcing duties among several guest announcers, including Jeopardy! announcer Johnny Gilbert.  Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak described O'Donnell as "the perfect voice of the show."  O'Donnell's last announced episode aired on Friday, October 29, 2010, three days before his death.      Pat Sajak & Vanna White Say Good Bye to Charlie