Gary Owens, announcer, television and movie personality died at the age of 80 on Thursday.
Owens has been part of the entertainment industry for the past six decades. Many members of this generation are unfamiliar with the impact Owens had on television, radio, and on the big screen. The actor died at his Los Angeles home according to his son and producer, Scott Owens.
For a large portion of his life, Owens struggled with diabetes, an illness that he developed when he was a child, and the illness that would eventually take his life.
Owens appeared in over a dozen motion pictures and participated in numerous television programs, but his voice work was probably his most notably performances. Over his career he hosted thousands of radio programs, voiced countless animated cartoon characters, and recorded dozens of comedy albums.
Tom Kenny, most notable for his voice work as “SpongeBob Squarepants” noted Owens as an inspiration, and that Owens had, “such a great voice, so smooth. That was his real voice, even if he was ordering in a restaurant.”
George Schlatter the creator of “Laugh In,” had this to say about the departed actor; “He had a whimsical, fey sense of humor and he brought a lot to ‘Laugh-In’ in the way of thoughts, words and jokes.” He claimed that Owens never really worked, but he played.
Owen’s career highlights included, “National Lampoon’s European Vacation,” “The Ren and Stimpy Show,” “Space Ghost,” Garfield and Friends,” and has been seen on Lucille Ball and Bob Hope’s television specials.
The entertainment industry lost a real legend, and although many may not have been able to recall his face, his voice work will be remembered forever.
Photo By AP
