Origins & Early Life

Donald LeRoy LaFontaine (August 26, 1940 – September 1, 2008) was an American voice actor who recorded more than 5,000 film trailers and hundreds of thousands of television advertisements, network promotions, and video game trailers over four decades. He became identified with the phrase "In a world ...", used in so many movie trailers that it became a humorous catchphrase. Widely known in the film industry, the man whose nicknames included "Thunder Throat", "The Voice of God" and "The King of Movie Trailers", became known to a wider audience in the U.S. through commercials for GEICO insurance and the Mega Millions lottery game.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

LaFontaine was born on August 26, 1940, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Alfred and Ruby LaFontaine (née Dravland; b. 1918). LaFontaine said his voice cracked at age 13 in mid-sentence, giving him the bass tones that later brought him much fame and success. After graduating from Duluth Central High School in 1958, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as an audio engineer with the U.S.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Army Band and the U.S. Army Chorus. LaFontaine continued to work as a recording engineer after discharge and began working at the National Recording Studios...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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