Alan Kalter.Photo: Diane Bondareff/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Alan Kalter, the announcer forDavid Lettermanfor 20 years, has died at age 78.
The announcer died on Monday atStamford Hospital in Connecticut, his wife Peggy toldThe Hollywood Reporter.
Kalter, nicknamed Big Red onLate Show, replaced Bill Wendell as the show’s announcer in 1995 and worked with Letterman, 74, untilhis final episode in May 2015.
David Letterman; Alan Kalter.CBS
“When our announcer of 15 years Bill Wendell retired, producer Robert Morton came to my office with an audio tape containing auditions for several announcers,” Letterman said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “Alan’s was the first and only voice we listened to. We knew he would be our choice.
“Whatever else, we always had the best announcer in television,” he added.
Letterman praised his longtime colleague, remembering, “Wonderful voice and eagerness to play a goofy character of himself. Did I mention he could sing? Yes he could. He enthusiastically did it all.”
“A very sad day, but many great memories,” the host said.
Alan Kalter.Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
Kalter was known for his off-the-cuff rants, satirical humor, and always trying to upstage Letterman in hisCelebrity Interviewsegment, held at his announcer’s booth.
At the end of his tenure, the announcer gushed about his time on the show in an interview withCBS New York.
“I’ve had such a great 20 years, it’s been a blessing every single day,” he told the network in 2015. “Every one of us goes through a terrible time once in a while, before 3 o’clock or before 4 o’clock. But no matter what my day is like, from 4:30 to 5:30 [p.m.], I laugh, I smile, every day.”
“[David] makes me do that,” Kalter said. “We have a family that’s not getting together again, but the memories are fantastic.”
FormerLate Showexecutive producer and head writer Eric Stangel shared his condolences on Twitter Tuesday following the news of the announcer’s death.
“This is incredibly sad. Alan was always fun to write for and was always up for anything. Rest in peace…” hewrote.
LongtimeLate Showwriter Bill Scheftechoed, “RIP Alan Kalter. A lovely man, and as my old boss might say, a ‘perfect stooge….’ "
“No matter what, Kalter was always game. “To us ‘Late Show’ writers Alan was so much more than just the ‘From New York…’ guy. He was our muse,“Late Showwriter andHow I Met Your Motherco-creator Carter Bayswrote.
He added, “We loved writing for him. Such a cheerful presence on the show. And around the office. Rest easy Big Red.”
Alan Kalter.Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Bays' writing partner andHIMYMco-creator Craig Thomastweeted, “Oh man, @CarterBays and I loved writing for Alan — some of my fondest memories ofLate Showare the absolutely batshit-bonkers bits we wrote for Alan, who was always game to let us make him look insane…rest in peace, Alan, and thanks for the laughs.”
Beyond his work on theLate Show, Kalter also announced forTo Tell the Truth, The $25,000 Pyramid,The Money Maze,andThe $100,000 Question. He also served as the voice of USA Network and made appearances on the NBC showEd.
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Kalter was born in Brooklyn on March 21, 1943. He graduated from Hobart College and New York University’s law school, according toTheHollywood Reporter.
Before his broadcasting career began, he taught English and public speaking at a Long Island high school, per the outlet.
source: people.com
