"SNL" has lost one of its biggest icons: Don Pardo, the TV announcer who has introduced the cast members and stars of "Saturday Night Live" for 38 of its 39 seasons, has died. He was 96.
You may not have recognized Pardo on the street, but as the former "Price Is Right" and "Jeopardy!" announcer, millions of American from every generation would recognize his voice. Though famous for his work off-camera, Pardo also turned up in comedy sketches, particularly the show's game show parodies, both on "SNL" and off.
In honor of Pardo's legacy, here are a few of his most memorable TV appearances:
Frank Zappa's "I Am the Slime," 1976
Pardo famously sang a verse in Zappa's 1976 "SNL" performance of "I am the Slime," and later appeared in a live-recorded version in the 1993 rerelease album, "Zappa in New York." Listen to Pardo at the 1:19 mark in this video:
"SNL" sketch, "Jeopardy 1999," 1976
Don Pardo played the announcer in this futuristic "SNL" sketch from 1976.
"SNL" sketch, "The Question Is Moot," 1984
A classic sketch from the Reagan era, Jesse Jackson busts his comedic chops with Gary Kroger, Julia Louis Dreyfus and Mary Gross in this game show parody.
"SNL" sketch, Brittany Murphy's monologue, 2002
Giving Pardo an unlikely cameo during an East Coast-West Coast comedy rap battle on "SNL," Poehler cried, "Say my name, Don Pardo!"
"SNL" sketch, "A Moment With the Out-of-Breath Jogger from 1992," 2006
"SNL" writer Colin Jost tweeted that this is his favorite Pardo sketch, as "Andy Samberg made him say very un-Pardo things"
Weird Al Yankovic's "I Lost on Jeopardy," 2009
Pardo again lent his voice to comedy in Weird Al Yankovic's 2009 parody of "Jeopardy," the 1983 hit by the Greg Kihn Band.
"30 Rock," 2009
In "30 Rock's" third season, Pardo guest-starred as a washed-up version of his real self, Sid, an announcer for "The Girlie Show With Tracy Jordan." (Side note: Watch the "SNL" cast, including Tina Fey, wish him a happy 90th birthday in 2008.)
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