|
 Pardo's death at his home in Tucson, Arizona, where he had
continued to pre-record his weekly introductions for the New
York-based "Saturday Night Live" during the past few years, was
confirmed by his daughter, Dona Pardo, the Times said.
Pardo, who began his six-decade-plus broadcasting career in the
radio age of the 1930s, was with "Saturday Night Live" for its
debut in 1975 and was the show's announcer every year since
then, except during its 1981-1982 season.
Viewers heard him at the beginning of the show announcing the
cast and guest stars in his grand, distinctive style, stretching
out words for effect. He also closed each show by reading the
guests slated to appear for the following week, and sometimes
performed voice-overs in skits.
In doing so, he literally introduced TV audiences to some of the
era's biggest names in show business, including such comedy
power houses as John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Eddie
Murphy, Billy Crystal, Chris Rock, Mike Myers, Will Ferrell,
Tina Fey, Adam Sandler, and Maya Rudolph.
"There is nothing like the moment when Don Pardo says your name
at the beginning of the show," Jimmy Fallon, a former "SNL" cast
member said on his own NBC late-night show. "Nothing like that
thrill. You almost want to cry."
[to top of second column] |
Pardo made rare on-screen appearances on "SNL," including the time
he donned a white tuxedo for a sketch with avant garde rock
guitarist Frank Zappa. The show's writers also used him in bits such
as "Don Pardo's Holiday in an Elevator," "Waiting for Pardo" and
"The Don Pardo Digital Gift Catalog."
He also was brought on stage at the end of a 2008 show to celebrate
his 90th birthday.
Pardo started his broadcasting career at a radio station in
Providence, Rhode Island in 1938 and joined NBC in 1944. He
announced the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to NBC
listeners in 1963.
Before "Saturday Night Live", game shows provided steady work. He
was the announcer for early incarnations of "The Price Is Right,"
"Three on a Match," "Winning Streak," "Jackpot" and the original
"Jeopardy!"
Pardo, who was born Dominick George Pardo on Feb. 22, 1918, in
Westfield, Massachusetts, and his wife, Kay, had five children. Kay
died in 1995.
(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Writing by Bill Trott;
Editing by Andrew Heavens)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
