Charlie O'Donnell

Charlie O'Donnell
Born	Charles John O'Donnell August 12, 1932(1932-08-12) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	November 1, 2010(2010-11-01) (aged 78)[1] Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of death	Heart failure
Occupation	Radio/television announcer
Years active	1956–2010

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.^[2]

Early career

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.^[3] 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,^[2] the Emmy Awards^[2] and the Academy Awards.^[2]

Wheel of Fortune and other game shows

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 1988-89 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; Hill-Eubanks Group's All Star Secrets and The Guinness Game; and Scotti Bros.-Syd Vinnedge's Wordplay. He and John Harlan filled in for Rod Roddy on different occasions on Press Your Luck. He also announced on the game show version of Monopoly.

Death

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.^[1] 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.^[4] Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak described O'Donnell as "the perfect voice of the show."^[5] O'Donnell's last announced episode aired on October 29, 2010, three days before his death. O'Donnell was succeeded by veteran LA radio announcer Jim Thornton.

On reruns of Wheel episodes that had a guest announcer other than Thornton after O'Donnell's death, the voices were overdubbed by Thornton since he was named permanent announcer. Episodes that originally had O'Donnell's voice retained his voice. But the updated Prize Puzzle plugs were done by Jeopardy! Clue Crew member Sarah Whitcomb.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Gary Lycan (November 1, 2010). "'Wheel of Fortune' announcer Charlie O'Donnell dies at 78". The Orange County Register. http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/donnell-273866-wheel-game.html. Retrieved November 1, 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Biography at wheeloffortune.com
3. ^ "Charlie-O: Sense of Humor Behind the Innocent Look". KRLA Beat. 4 December 1965. p. 10. http://krlabeat.sakionline.net/issue/4dec65.pdf. Retrieved 4 March 2011.  (PDF)
4. ^ Lycan, Gary (3 November 2010). "Services set for 'Wheel of Fortune's' Charlie O'Donnell". The Orange County Register. http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/donnell-274323-barrett-radio.html. Retrieved 4 November 2010. 
5. ^ Nelson, Valerie J. (3 November 2010). "Charlie O'Donnell of 'Wheel of Fortune,' as remembered by the show's host, Pat Sajak". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/afterword/2010/11/charlie-odonnell-of-wheel-of-fortune-as-recalled-by-host-pat-sajak.html. Retrieved 15 November 2010. 

External links

• Charlie O'Donnell at the Internet Movie Database
• Charlie O'Donnell Interview 2008 for HyLitRadio/Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia
• Charlie O'Donnell on KRLA Pasadena, June 16, 1967

Media offices
Preceded by Mike Lawrence (1973 pilot)	Announcer of Wheel of Fortune 1975–1980	Succeeded by Jack Clark
Preceded by M. G. Kelly	Announcer of Wheel of Fortune 1989–2010	Succeeded by Jim Thornton

Persondata
Name	Odonnell, Charlie
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	August 12, 1932
Place of birth	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Date of death	November 1, 2010
Place of death	Sherman Oaks, California, U.S.