Don Pardo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don Pardo
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Pardo announcing Saturday Night Live in 1992
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| Born |
Dominick George Pardo, Jr.
February 22, 1918 Westfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Died | August 18, 2014 (aged 96) Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
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| Other names | Dom Pardo |
| Alma mater | Emerson College |
| Occupation | Voice actor, announcer |
| Years active | 1938–2014 |
| Known for | Announcer for Saturday Night Live |
| Spouse(s) |
Catherine Lyons
(m. 1938; died 1995) |
| Children | 5 |
| Awards | Television Hall of Fame (member since 2010) |
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Dominick George "Don" Pardo (February 22, 1918 – August 18, 2014) was a famous American radio and television announcer. His amazing career lasted for over seventy years!
Don Pardo was a member of the Television Hall of Fame. He was well-known for working at NBC for seventy years. He was the announcer for many popular shows. These included early versions of The Price Is Right and Jeopardy!. His most famous job was announcing for NBC's Saturday Night Live. He did this for 38 seasons, from the show's start in 1975 until he passed away in 2014.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Don Pardo was born in Westfield, Massachusetts. His parents, Dominick George Sr. and Valeria "Viola" Rominak-Pardo, came from Poland. They owned a bakery. Don grew up in Norwich, Connecticut and Providence, Rhode Island. He went to Emerson College and graduated in 1942.
Don Pardo's Career
Don Pardo had a very long and successful career. He started in radio and then became a big name in television.
Starting in Radio
Pardo got his first radio job in 1938. He worked at a station called WJAR in Providence. This station was connected to NBC.
In 1944, he joined NBC full-time as an announcer. He stayed with NBC for 60 years! He worked on many radio shows. During World War II, Pardo also worked as a war reporter for NBC Radio.
Becoming a TV Star
In the early 1950s, Don Pardo helped show off new color television technology. He announced many of NBC's first color TV demonstrations.
Pardo became famous for announcing game shows. In 1952, he was the announcer for Winner Take All. From 1956 to 1963, he was the voice of the original The Price Is Right.
His next big game show was Jeopardy!. He announced this show from 1964 until its original version ended in 1975. Pardo also announced other NBC game shows like Three on a Match and Jackpot!.
Pardo did many other jobs at NBC too. He announced the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for many years. He also worked on NBC Nightly News.
On November 22, 1963, Don Pardo was the first to tell NBC viewers that President John F. Kennedy had been shot. This was a very sad and important moment in history.
Saturday Night Live
Don Pardo's most famous job was announcing for Saturday Night Live (SNL). He was the fourth voice heard on the very first episode in 1975.
After the opening sketch, you would hear the famous line, "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" Then, Pardo would announce the show's title. He would also name all the cast members and musical guests. He did this during the opening video.
Pardo was the SNL announcer for almost every season. He only missed one season (1981–1982). He continued announcing for SNL until he passed away. His announcing booth at Studio 8-H was in the same spot where a famous conductor once stood.
Music and Other Appearances
Don Pardo also worked with musicians. In 1976, he performed with Frank Zappa. He recited a part of the song "I'm the Slime". He also narrated other songs for Zappa.
He was also in the "Weird Al" Yankovic song "I Lost on Jeopardy". This song was a funny version of another song. Don Pardo appeared in the music video for it too!
In 2009, he appeared in an episode of the TV show 30 Rock. He played an announcer named Sid.
Later Years
Don Pardo officially retired from NBC in 2004. But he kept announcing for Saturday Night Live. The show's producer, Lorne Michaels, really wanted him to stay.
After 2006, he started recording his announcements from his home in Arizona. But soon, the producers needed him in New York. So, he started flying to New York every week again. On his 90th birthday in 2008, he appeared on Saturday Night Live to blow out candles on his cake.
In 2009, Pardo hinted that he might stop announcing for SNL. But he came back for the show's 35th season. Later, he went back to recording his parts from his Arizona home.
In 2010, Don Pardo was honored by being put into the Television Hall of Fame.
Personal Life
Don Pardo married Catherine Lyons in 1938. They were married until she passed away in 1995. They had five children: three daughters named Donna, Karen, and Paula, and two sons named David and Michael.
Don Pardo passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 18, 2014. He was in Tucson, Arizona, and was 96 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Don Pardo para niños
