September 1, 2008 by Steve Mack

Los Angeles, CA - September 1, 2008: LaFontaine, known as the "King of Voiceovers," died Monday afternoon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. According to LaFontaine's agent, Vanessa Gilbert, he passed away following complications from Pneumothorax, the presence of air or gas in the pleural cavity, the result of a collapsed lung.

I reached out to Don La Fontaine to critique my voiceover demo which he did without hesitation. He took time from his very busy schedule to give me advice from time to time and helpful suggestions for my voiceover career. Don once worked at National Recording Studios where I learned television and audio production.

I considered him a friend and met him at the opening of the Broadway show where these pictures were taken. My last correspondence with him indicated he was in poor health but on his way to recovery. He seemed very positive. This news comes as a shock to me and all of his friends and colleagues. Although we only met once, he always took time to communicate and his daughter Skye and I became Facebook friends. I will miss him dearly. Don is survived by his wife Singer/Actress Nita Whitaker, and three children, Christine, Skye and Elyse.

(Photo by Steve Mack/S.D. Mack Pictures)

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