You may recognize legendary game show announcer Charlie O Donnell's voice as being the announcer for Wheel Of Fortune. Charlie grew up and began his career in Philly. Programming WHAT Radio in Philadelphia in the 50's, and working at several Philly stations until landing at WFIL Radio.
Click here to listen to this rare 5 minute interview (Part 1).
Charlie shares rare facts about growing up in Philly, moving over to WFIL TV and becoming the announcer for American Bandstand just as they were going national from Philadelphia. When Bandstand moved to Los Angeles he went with them and also DJ'ed at such legendary station as KRLA, KHJ, among others.
He made a full-time career as an announcer on many television shows throughout the decades, with such series as The Joker's Wild, Tic-Tac-Dough, Bullseye, Card Sharks and The $100,000 Pyramid (again working with Dick Clark). He has also served as announcer for the American Music Awards, the Emmy Awards and the Academy Awards.
Among the game show companies O'Donnell worked for as a primary announcer are Stefan Hatos-Monty Hall Productions (1973-1977), Merv Griffin Enterprises/Sony Pictures Television (1975-80 and 1989-present), Barry & Enright Productions (1981-86), and Chuck Barris Productions (1986-89). Charlie has also announced game shows for Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions (Card Sharks, Trivia Trap, Family Feud, To Tell The Truth); Bob Stewart Productions, and for Hill-Eubanks Group's All Star Secrets and The Guinness Game.
WFIL AM/FM/TV history & rare pictures here.
Charlie O Donnell hired Hy Lit for his first radio job in 1954. More Hy Lit history here.
Click here to listen to this rare 5 minute interview (Part 1).
Charlie shares rare facts about growing up in Philly, moving over to WFIL TV and becoming the announcer for American Bandstand just as they were going national from Philadelphia. When Bandstand moved to Los Angeles he went with them and also DJ'ed at such legendary station as KRLA, KHJ, among others.
He made a full-time career as an announcer on many television shows throughout the decades, with such series as The Joker's Wild, Tic-Tac-Dough, Bullseye, Card Sharks and The $100,000 Pyramid (again working with Dick Clark). He has also served as announcer for the American Music Awards, the Emmy Awards and the Academy Awards.
Among the game show companies O'Donnell worked for as a primary announcer are Stefan Hatos-Monty Hall Productions (1973-1977), Merv Griffin Enterprises/Sony Pictures Television (1975-80 and 1989-present), Barry & Enright Productions (1981-86), and Chuck Barris Productions (1986-89). Charlie has also announced game shows for Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Productions (Card Sharks, Trivia Trap, Family Feud, To Tell The Truth); Bob Stewart Productions, and for Hill-Eubanks Group's All Star Secrets and The Guinness Game.
WFIL AM/FM/TV history & rare pictures here.
Charlie O Donnell hired Hy Lit for his first radio job in 1954. More Hy Lit history here.
