Hal Douglas, Movie Trailer Voice-Over Star, Dead at 89
Hal Douglas narrated thousands of movie trailers - from drama to comedy.
Mar. 13, 2014— -- Hal Douglas, a voice-over artist who narrated thousands of movie trailers, has died at his home in Lovettsville, Va. He was 89.
His daughter, Sarah Douglas, told The New York Times that the cause of his death March 7 was complications of pancreatic cancer.
Douglas lent his voice to trailers for films as diverse as "Philadelphia," "Forrest Gump," "Coneheads" and "Lethal Weapon."
He was featured in one of his few on-camera roles in the trailer for Jerry Seinfeld's 2002 documentary "Comedian," playing, of course, a voice-over-artist.
According to the Times, Douglas grew up in Connecticut. After three years in the Navy during World War II, he studied acting at the University of Miami and later moved to New York to pursue acting gigs. He wound up landing voice-over work, becoming sought after for commercials and lead-ins for TV shows. In addition to working in television throughout his life, Douglas did film trailers and occasional documentaries.
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Despite being considered one of the top two or three voice talents in Hollywood, Douglas, who preferred to work from studios in New York, downplayed his work.
"I'm not outstanding in any way," he told The New York Times in 2009. "It's a craft that you learn, like making a good pair of shoes. And I just consider myself a good shoemaker."
Douglas is survived by his wife of 43 years, Ruth, and two sons, in addition to his daughter.
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