- published: 29 Apr 2013
- views: 16609395
Donald Leroy "Don" LaFontaine (August 26, 1940 – September 1, 2008) was an American voice actor famous for recording more than 5,000 film trailers and hundreds of thousands of television advertisements, network promotions, and video game trailers. His nicknames included "Thunder Throat" and "The Voice of God". He became identified with the phrase "In a world…", which has been used in movie trailers so frequently that it has become a cliché. He parodied his career several times, most recently in commercials for GEICO insurance and the Mega Millions lottery game.
LaFontaine was born August 26, 1940, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Alfred and Ruby LaFontaine. According to LaFontaine himself, his voice cracked at the age of 13 in the middle of a sentence, giving him the bass tones that would later bring him much fame and success. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army, and worked as a recording engineer for the Army Band and Chorus.
LaFontaine continued to work as a recording engineer after discharge and began working at the National Recording Studios in New York City, where, in 1962, he had the opportunity to work with producer Floyd Peterson on radio spots for Dr. Strangelove. Peterson incorporated many of LaFontaine’s ideas for the spots and, in 1963, they went into business together producing advertising exclusively for the movie industry. LaFontaine claimed that it was this company that first came up with many of the famous movie trailer catch phrases, including his own future signature phrase, "in a world..."
Verse 1:
In a world where all girls care about is their nails
and hair
Never really paying attention to the world's health
care
Did you ever realize that the Earth needs us?
Destroying the world- enough is enough!
Stand out in the crowds, I'm Cymphonique and yes I'm
very unique
Chorus:
In A World with no love and 'I just robbed' sons dying
and mamma's in a sob
I know it may be hard but we can get through this
In a world where we can finally all coexist
I look up to the sky in a world where we all sigh and
wonder why
Verse 2:
We killing each other; our sisters and brother
Lying and cheating never even meeting (our number 1
goal
But today I stand her(e), as Lil Miss Swagger, telling
you to get right then you will learn!
Chorus:
In A World with no love and 'I just robbed' sons dying
and mamma's in a sob
I know it may be hard but we can get through this
In a world where we can finally all coexist
I look up to the sky in a world where we all sigh and
wonder why
Bridge:
So let the rain fall and our sins are washed
Clean and clear all of them squashed
No more sadness only just happiness
Love your race and also your face
Never ever feel down get back up from the ground! Hey!
Chorus:
In A World with no love and 'I just robbed' sons dying
and mamma's in a sob
I know it may be hard but we can get through this
In a world where we can finally all coexist
I look up to the sky in a world where we all sigh and
wonder why
Ooh yeah! In a world! Mmm if we could live together in
peace and love! You know you my brotha till we go up