Alan Kalter, ‘Late Present With David Letterman’ Announcer, Dies at 78

Alan Kalter, the announcer who launched Late Present With David Letterman for almost 20 years, has died, as Selection stories. He was 78. He died Monday at Stamford Hospital in Connecticut.

Kalter started his stint as Letterman’s announcer in September 1995 changing Invoice Wendell after he retired. Kalter served within the place till it ended with Letterman’s ultimate Late Night time present on Could twentieth, 2015.

Whereas his major duties have been to introduce the host and friends every night time, Kalter turned a daily contributor to nightly comedy sketches. He hosted Alan Kalter’s Superstar Interview, which have been scheduled to happen in his announcer sales space. His interviews, nonetheless, would at all times be upstaged by Letterman. A cantankerous Kalter would argue with Letterman about him stealing his hard-to-book massive friends earlier than his interviews would air.

“When our announcer of 15 years Invoice Wendell retired, producer Robert Morton got here to my workplace with an audio tape containing auditions for a number of announcers,” Letterman stated in a press release. “Alan’s was the primary and solely voice we listened to. We knew he can be our alternative.

“No matter else, we at all times had the very best announcer in tv,” he added. “Fantastic voice and eagerness to play a goofy character of himself. Did I point out he might sing? Sure he might. He enthusiastically did all of it. A really unhappy day, however many nice recollections.”

With fiery hair that earned Kalter the title “Huge Purple,” he at all times up for the gag, to the amusement of Letterman and the crew. “To us Late Present writers Alan was a lot extra than simply the ‘From New York…’ man. He was our muse.” former Late Present author Carter Bays posted on Twitter. “We cherished writing for him. Such a cheerful presence on the present. And across the workplace. Relaxation straightforward Huge Purple.”

Kalter’s commanding voice introduced him a number of gigs past Late Night time. He was the voice of USA Community and in addition appeared on Letterman’s Worldwide Pants-produced NBC collection Ed. He delivered voiceovers for radio and tv spots and he additionally served because the announcer for New York-based exhibits To Inform the Fact, The $25,000 Pyramid and The $100,000 Query.