You may not know the name of voice-over artist Hal Douglas, but you definitely know his voice. He was the man behind thousands of movie trailers — including “Philadelphia,” “Forrest Gump,” “Meet the Parents” and “Lethal Weapon” — as well as television and radio promos, commercials and documentaries. He also served as the voice of A&E, History and The WB.

Douglas, 89, died at his home in Lovettsville, Va., last Friday of complications due to pancreatic cancer.

“He was known not only for his incomparable voice … but also for his warmth, humility, humor, and generosity of spirit,” said his daughter, Sarah, in a statement.

In 2011, PromaxBDA awarded Douglas the Don LaFontaine Legacy Award, which the organization inaugurated in 2009. Like Douglas, LaFontaine was one of the industry’s top voice-over performers.

Hal Douglas Accepts the 2011 PromaxBDA Don LaFontaine Legacy Award from PromaxBDA on Vimeo.

Hal Douglas was born Harold Cone in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1924 to Samuel and Miriam Levenson Cone. After serving in the Navy during World War II, Douglas enrolled in The University of Miami to study radio and theater. He began his career as a DJ and on-camera spokesman, eventually changing his last name to Douglas and moving to New York. There, he spent ten years producing commercials at several top advertising agencies before becoming a full-time voice actor.

Douglas worked out of New York City for his entire career, but for the past 15 years ago he most often worked from the home studio he installed at the horse farm he shared with his wife, Ruth, in Northern Virginia. He continued working until just a few years ago.

According to his daughter, his guiding philosophy was that “‘the real art is the art of life- the art of living.’ He exemplified this philosophy through his devotion to his family and friends, his love of nature and travel, his spirituality, and by sharing the fruits of his labor with countless charities and friends in need,” said Sarah.

Douglas, who was diagnosed in 2010 and treated at Johns Hopkins, will be dearly missed by his wife of 43 years, Ruth; children Sarah, Jeremy, and Jon; and grandchildren Jordan, Jake, and Dylan.

Donations marked “in memory of Hal Douglas” can be sent to:

Marie Jo Corry

Johns Hopkins Medicine

750 Pratt St. #1700

Baltimore, MD 21202

or online at https://jhweb.dev.jhu.edu/eforms/form.do?formId=21964.

Condolences can be left at http://www.ilasting.com/haldouglas.php

Read more: The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times

Hal Douglas’ demo reel shows off his range ...

while he shows off his own sense of humor in Jerry Seinfeld’s “Comedians,” although we really don’t think he should have been fired just for doing what he did best:

More of Douglas’ work:
The “Philadelphia” trailer:

The “Lethal Weapon” trailer:

The “Holiday” trailer:


The “Waterworld” trailer

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