Voice of 'you've got mail' and Candyman icon pass away at 69 and 74
- Replies 7
The digital age has been marked by many iconic sounds that trigger a sense of nostalgia for those who lived through the early days of the internet.
One such sound is the instantly recognisable phrase 'You've got mail,' which greeted millions of users as they logged onto AOL. The man behind this famous phrase has passed away at the age of 74.
In other news, the actor best known for his chilling portrayal of the titular character in the classic horror film Candyman passed away at 69.
His death was confirmed by his wife, Fatima, who told the Hollywood Reporter that Todd died at home in Los Angeles after a long illness.
Elwood Edwards' voice became synonymous with the online experience for a generation of internet users.
His passing on Tuesday at his home in New Bern, North Carolina, was confirmed by his daughter Heather.
The cause, she revealed, was complications following a stroke he suffered late last year.
The story of how Edwards came to record the iconic greeting is a testament to the serendipitous nature of fame.
In 1989, sitting in his living room, Edwards recorded the phrases 'You've got mail,' 'Welcome,' 'Goodbye,' and 'File's done' on a simple cassette recorder.
He was paid a modest $200 for his voiceover work—a small sum for what would become a cultural phenomenon.
The phrase 'You've got mail' not only became a catchphrase of the late 1990s but also inspired the title of the famous 1998 romantic comedy starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
Edwards' voice was a comforting and familiar presence in an era when the internet was still a new frontier for many.
Despite the widespread recognition of his voice, Edwards remained humble and somewhat bemused by his fame.
'He would still blush any time someone brought it up,' Heather said. 'He loved the attention but never got used to it.'
Edwards' path to becoming the voice of AOL was as unconventional as it was unexpected.
While working at an independent television station in Washington, D.C., his second wife, Karen, a customer service representative for the company that would become AOL, recommended him for the job.
The company was so impressed with his voice that it didn't even require him to record in a professional studio.
For a time, AOL kept the identity of their iconic voice a secret, adding to the mystique of the man behind the message.
However, Edwards enjoyed a modest celebrity status once his identity was revealed.
He even appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2015, where he recited his famous line to the audience's delight, and lent his voice to an episode of The Simpsons in 2000.
Before his stint as the voice of AOL, Edwards had a career in radio and television.
He worked as a weather presenter and announcer and as a 'graphics guru, camera operator, and general jack of all trades' behind the scenes at WKYC-TV in Cleveland.
He also did freelance voiceover work for radio and television commercials.
His family remembers Edwards as a man with a 'ready smile' and a self-deprecating sense of humour.
He often joked that he had 'a face for radio.'
He is survived by another daughter, Sallie, a granddaughter, Abbie, and his brother, Bill.
The family plans to hold a memorial service on Monday in New Bern to celebrate his life and legacy.
The passing of Elwood Edwards marks the end of an era for those who fondly remember the early days of the Internet.
His voice was a beacon of the digital age, welcoming users to a world of possibilities.
Meanwhile, born in 1954 in Washington, DC, Tony Todd's imposing presence and deep, resonant voice made him a memorable figure in a career that lasted over four decades.
With hundreds of television and movie credits, Todd's contributions to the entertainment industry were as varied as they were impactful.
One of his earliest roles was the heroin-addicted Sergeant Warren in Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning war drama Platoon.
His filmography also includes memorable performances in 1996’s The Rock opposite Nicolas Cage, the role of funeral home owner William Bludworth in the Final Destination franchise, and Grange in 1994’s The Crow alongside the late Brandon Lee.
On the small screen, Todd's versatility shone through with appearances in a plethora of popular series, such as 24, Homicide: Life on the Street, The X-Files, 21 Jump Street, Night Court, MacGyver, Matlock, Law & Order, Beverly Hills 90210, Xena: Warrior Princess, and Murder, She Wrote.
His work in the Star Trek universe was particularly notable.
He played multiple roles, most prominently as the Klingon Kurn, brother of Worf, in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine.
Todd's talents extended beyond the screen to voice acting, where he lent his distinctive voice to characters in the Call of Duty and Half-Life video games, Venom in the film Spider-Man 2, and the villain in Transformers: Rise of the Fallen.
However, his role in the 1992 film Candyman cemented Todd's legacy in the horror genre.
As the hook-handed killer who is summoned by saying his name five times before a mirror, Todd's portrayal of Daniel Robitaille—a character lynched by a white mob and haunting the site of a public housing project—explored themes of racism and social class.
The horror classic left an indelible mark on audiences and the genre itself.
In a testament to his dedication to his craft, Todd famously received an additional $1,000 for each bee sting he endured during one of the film's most famous scenes—23 times. 'Everything worth making has to involve some sort of pain,' he once said in an interview with the Guardian.
Todd's influence extended beyond the screen.
He used his fame for social work, including gang outreach and conducting acting seminars for underprivileged children.
He understood the power of storytelling and its ability to resonate across different communities.
He used Candyman as a tool in gang intervention work to discuss fear and trauma.
In 2021, Todd reprised his role in Jordan Peele’s 'Candyman' reboot, bridging the gap between the original film and a new generation of horror fans.
Tony Todd's loss is deeply felt across the entertainment industry and among his fans.
New Line Cinema, which produced the Final Destination franchise, paid tribute to Todd on Instagram, saying, 'The industry has lost a legend. We have lost a cherished friend. Rest in peace, Tony -Your Final Destination Family.'
As we reflect on the passing of two influential figures, we remember the lasting impact of Elwood Edwards and Tony Todd.
Both will be missed, but their legacies will continue to resonate with fans and loved ones.
Rest in peace.
One such sound is the instantly recognisable phrase 'You've got mail,' which greeted millions of users as they logged onto AOL. The man behind this famous phrase has passed away at the age of 74.
In other news, the actor best known for his chilling portrayal of the titular character in the classic horror film Candyman passed away at 69.
His death was confirmed by his wife, Fatima, who told the Hollywood Reporter that Todd died at home in Los Angeles after a long illness.
Elwood Edwards' voice became synonymous with the online experience for a generation of internet users.
His passing on Tuesday at his home in New Bern, North Carolina, was confirmed by his daughter Heather.
Elwood Edwards, the voice behind AOL's iconic 'You've got mail' greeting, died at 74. Credit: Facebook
The cause, she revealed, was complications following a stroke he suffered late last year.
The story of how Edwards came to record the iconic greeting is a testament to the serendipitous nature of fame.
In 1989, sitting in his living room, Edwards recorded the phrases 'You've got mail,' 'Welcome,' 'Goodbye,' and 'File's done' on a simple cassette recorder.
He was paid a modest $200 for his voiceover work—a small sum for what would become a cultural phenomenon.
The phrase 'You've got mail' not only became a catchphrase of the late 1990s but also inspired the title of the famous 1998 romantic comedy starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
Edwards' voice was a comforting and familiar presence in an era when the internet was still a new frontier for many.
Despite the widespread recognition of his voice, Edwards remained humble and somewhat bemused by his fame.
'He would still blush any time someone brought it up,' Heather said. 'He loved the attention but never got used to it.'
Edwards' path to becoming the voice of AOL was as unconventional as it was unexpected.
While working at an independent television station in Washington, D.C., his second wife, Karen, a customer service representative for the company that would become AOL, recommended him for the job.
The company was so impressed with his voice that it didn't even require him to record in a professional studio.
For a time, AOL kept the identity of their iconic voice a secret, adding to the mystique of the man behind the message.
However, Edwards enjoyed a modest celebrity status once his identity was revealed.
He even appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2015, where he recited his famous line to the audience's delight, and lent his voice to an episode of The Simpsons in 2000.
Before his stint as the voice of AOL, Edwards had a career in radio and television.
He worked as a weather presenter and announcer and as a 'graphics guru, camera operator, and general jack of all trades' behind the scenes at WKYC-TV in Cleveland.
He also did freelance voiceover work for radio and television commercials.
His family remembers Edwards as a man with a 'ready smile' and a self-deprecating sense of humour.
He often joked that he had 'a face for radio.'
He is survived by another daughter, Sallie, a granddaughter, Abbie, and his brother, Bill.
The family plans to hold a memorial service on Monday in New Bern to celebrate his life and legacy.
The passing of Elwood Edwards marks the end of an era for those who fondly remember the early days of the Internet.
His voice was a beacon of the digital age, welcoming users to a world of possibilities.
Meanwhile, born in 1954 in Washington, DC, Tony Todd's imposing presence and deep, resonant voice made him a memorable figure in a career that lasted over four decades.
With hundreds of television and movie credits, Todd's contributions to the entertainment industry were as varied as they were impactful.
Tony Todd, famous for playing Candyman, has passed away at 69 after a long illness. Credit: Facebook
One of his earliest roles was the heroin-addicted Sergeant Warren in Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning war drama Platoon.
His filmography also includes memorable performances in 1996’s The Rock opposite Nicolas Cage, the role of funeral home owner William Bludworth in the Final Destination franchise, and Grange in 1994’s The Crow alongside the late Brandon Lee.
On the small screen, Todd's versatility shone through with appearances in a plethora of popular series, such as 24, Homicide: Life on the Street, The X-Files, 21 Jump Street, Night Court, MacGyver, Matlock, Law & Order, Beverly Hills 90210, Xena: Warrior Princess, and Murder, She Wrote.
His work in the Star Trek universe was particularly notable.
He played multiple roles, most prominently as the Klingon Kurn, brother of Worf, in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine.
Todd's talents extended beyond the screen to voice acting, where he lent his distinctive voice to characters in the Call of Duty and Half-Life video games, Venom in the film Spider-Man 2, and the villain in Transformers: Rise of the Fallen.
However, his role in the 1992 film Candyman cemented Todd's legacy in the horror genre.
As the hook-handed killer who is summoned by saying his name five times before a mirror, Todd's portrayal of Daniel Robitaille—a character lynched by a white mob and haunting the site of a public housing project—explored themes of racism and social class.
The horror classic left an indelible mark on audiences and the genre itself.
In a testament to his dedication to his craft, Todd famously received an additional $1,000 for each bee sting he endured during one of the film's most famous scenes—23 times. 'Everything worth making has to involve some sort of pain,' he once said in an interview with the Guardian.
Todd's influence extended beyond the screen.
He used his fame for social work, including gang outreach and conducting acting seminars for underprivileged children.
He understood the power of storytelling and its ability to resonate across different communities.
He used Candyman as a tool in gang intervention work to discuss fear and trauma.
In 2021, Todd reprised his role in Jordan Peele’s 'Candyman' reboot, bridging the gap between the original film and a new generation of horror fans.
Tony Todd's loss is deeply felt across the entertainment industry and among his fans.
New Line Cinema, which produced the Final Destination franchise, paid tribute to Todd on Instagram, saying, 'The industry has lost a legend. We have lost a cherished friend. Rest in peace, Tony -Your Final Destination Family.'
Both will be missed, but their legacies will continue to resonate with fans and loved ones.
Rest in peace.
.png){kind=icon}
