Photo Flash: Remembering Don Pardo

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Don Pardo, best known as the announcer for NBC's long-running sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, has passed away earlier this week at the age of 96.

Pardo was The Voice behind Saturday Night Live for all but one of its seasons. He continued to provide voiceover services during the program's opening montage, several years after his retirement from NBC.

A member of the Television Hall of Fame, Pardo was noted for his long association with NBC, working as the announcer for early incarnations of such notable shows as The Price Is Right, Jackpot, Jeopardy!, Three on a Match, Winning Streak and NBC Nightly News.

Pardo's was the fourth voice heard on the show's premiere episode in 1975, after the first cold open sketch featuring Michael O'Donoghue, John Belushi, and Chevy Chase. He remained the program's announcer except for one season (1981-1982), when it was announced by Mel Brandt or Bill Hanrahan. After the show's host proclaimed the show's signature opening line, "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!", Pardo would announce the show's title, then names the cast members and musical guest(s) in a voice-over during the opening montage.

A dedicated newsman, Pardo was the first to inform NBC TV viewers that President Kennedy had been shot inDallas in 1963. According to Variety, he also served as a war reporter forNBC Radio during World War II.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Don Pardo: (NOTE: Slight modifications have been made to the original work)

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

Don Pardo on Septebmer 18th, 1981 at the 'Live at Five' studios in New York City.

Liz Smith and Don Pardo on Septebmer 18th, 1981 at the 'Live at Five' studios in New York City.