The Passing of Alan Kalter

 Another veteran game show announcer has been silenced.  

Alan Kalter, best known as the announcer on the Late Show With David Letterman as well the voice for several New York based game shows passed away October 4 at the age of 78.  The cause of death was not known.  

Kalter, a former Long Island English teacher, made his game show debut as the announcer on the short-lived ABC daytime game show The Money Maze from December 1974, to June 1975 that was hosted by the brother of singer Rosemary Clooney, Nick Clooney.  

He would move on to announcing the first season of the $64,000 Question revival The $128,000 Question.  The second season was produced in Toronto with Alex Trebek hosting and Sandy Hoyt replacing Kalter.  

Kalter was also one of several fill in announcers for the $10,000 and $25,000 Pyramid when Bob Clayton stepped down due to illness and his death in November 1978.  He didn't get the permanent job which eventually went to New York disc jockey Steve O'Brien.  

Kalter would also have the distinction of being the first announcer since Johnny Olson to work two versions of To Tell the Truth.  In 1977, he announced the final syndicated season of the show, replacing the man who would replace on The Late Show, Bill Wendell.  He would also announce the 1980 incarnation that was hosted by Canadian actor Robin Ward but unfortunately it would last only one syndicated season.  

After his game show announcing career ended, Kalter would do many commercial voiceovers and become the voice of the USA Network.  

His big break came in 1995 when he was hired to replace the retiring Wendell on CBS' Late Show With David Letterman.  In addition to the witty introductions of the title host, he was sometimes seen on camera in sketches.  

Though he was best known for exclaiming "Daaaaaaavid Letterman!" on late night TV, he will also remembered as a New York based game show announcer.  May he rest in peace.