Don Pardo, the legendary television announcer and voice of Saturday Night Live for decades, died Monday at the age of 96, NBC News said.
Pardo, who began his career in radio, introduced viewers iconic comedians Eddie Murphy, Chevy Chase, and Adam Sandler during his 38 season tenure at SNL.
He began working on the program since its first episode in 1975 and only missed one season.
The announcer served as a war correspondent for NBC radio early in his career and also voiced game shows “The Price is Right” and “Jeopardy.”
He was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2010.
Pardo gave the introductions in the most recent episode on SNL hosted by Andy Samberg in May.
The legendary voice tried to retire from the show in 2006, but was given a lifetime contract.
“I found out that only two people had ever had lifetime contracts,” he once said. “Bob Hope and me.”