Gary Owens

Gary Owens – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Discover the life story of Gary Owens (1934–2015), the American voice actor, radio announcer, and entertainer known for his baritone voice, irreverent humor, and iconic roles on Laugh-In, Space Ghost, and more. Explore his biography, career highlights, influence, and quotes.

Introduction

Gary Owens was a distinctive and versatile voice in American entertainment — a radio personality, announcer, and voice actor whose polished baritone and comic flair left a lasting impression. Best known as the announcer for Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, Owens also lent his voice to animated characters like Space Ghost, Roger Ramjet, and the Blue Falcon. His ability to bridge serious announcement tones and surreal, absurd humor made him a cultural fixture across decades.

Even today, his voice, mannerisms, and jokes are fondly remembered by fans of radio, television, and animation.

Early Life and Family

Gary Owens was born Gary Bernard Altman on May 10, 1934, in Mitchell, South Dakota, U.S. His mother, Venetta Clark Altman, worked as an educator and county auditor, and his father, Bernard Altman, served as a county treasurer and sheriff.

Not much is publicly documented about his childhood beyond his early exposure to radio and broadcasting. He began working in radio as a young man, which would become the foundation of his career.

Youth and Entry into Radio

Owens started his radio career in 1952, working at KORN in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Over the rest of the 1950s, he traversed multiple radio markets: Omaha, Dallas, New Orleans, St. Louis, and Denver, among others.

Career and Achievements

Radio Persona & Humor Style

On Los Angeles radio (notably KMPC), Owens developed a quirky, surreal comedic persona. He coined invented words—“insegrevious,” “krelb,” “veister”—and routinely used odd puns and comedic characters such as Earl C. Festoon and Endocrine J. Sternwallow.

His gentle absurdity and a voice that conveyed both sincerity and wry detachment let him play with listeners’ expectations. His radio style was a blend of straight announcer and jokester.

Television & Laugh-In

Owens’ most visible TV role was as the announcer for the hit 1960s–70s variety show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, where he brought his signature style and deadpan delivery to a national audience. right hand cupped to his right ear while speaking into a boom microphone. He claimed many humorous reasons for this pose (e.g., “a piece of shrapnel took my ear,” or that his ear was wooden) as part of a running gag.

He also coined the phrase “Beautiful downtown Burbank,” which would be echoed in later shows.

Voice Acting & Animation

Owens extended his voice talents into animation and narration. Notable credits include:

• Space Ghost — as the titular hero / narrator

• Roger Ramjet — title character voice

• Blue Falcon in Dynomutt, Dog Wonder

• Powdered Toast Man on The Ren & Stimpy Show

• Narration for The Perils of Penelope Pitstop, Garfield and Friends, and others

He also voiced characters on Sesame Street, SWAT Kats, Square One Television, and narrated for Disney attractions such as EPCOT’s World of Motion.

Writing, Later Radio, & Other Work

In 1972, Owens published a comedic book titled The (What to Do While You're Holding the) Phone Book. How to Make a Million Dollars with Your Voice (Or Lose Your Tonsils Trying).

In radio syndication, he hosted programs like Soundtrack of the Sixties and Gary Owens’ Weekend Spectacular. America’s Funniest Home Videos (mid-1990s) and was the promotional announcer voice for Antenna TV (2011–2015) with the tagline “Vintage… without the funny smell.”

In recognition of his impact in broadcasting, Gary Owens was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1994. Inkpot Award in 1981.

Historical Context & Influence

Gary Owens built his career during a pivotal era for radio and television. In the 1950s and 1960s, radio personalities often competed with the rising dominance of television. Owens stood out by merging announcer gravitas with surreal humor. On Laugh-In, a show emblematic of the countercultural 1960s, he provided a bridge between polished broadcast styles and comedic subversion.

In animation, his roles contributed to the golden age of Saturday morning cartoons and beyond, giving voice and personality to characters in a transitional era where TV animation was expanding.

His approach to mixing sincerity and absurdity prefigured later comedic voices who blurred lines between narrative and jest. Voice actors and announcers who followed could see in him a path — not just to delivering lines, but to making voice performance itself a form of personality.

Personality and Style

Owens was known for:

• Wry, deadpan humor — his delivery often seemed serious even when saying nonsense.

• Inventiveness with language — he invented words, puns, and bits that delighted listeners.

• Self-aware announcer persona — his “hand-to-ear” pose and other gags acknowledged the artifice of broadcasting.

• Versatility — he could play it straight (as announcer or narrator) or go fully absurd.

• Consistency and longevity — his career spanned over six decades, always retaining a recognizable style.

His professional ethic included protecting his “voice identity”—making sure that even in commercials, his tone and personality remained distinct.

Notable Quotes by Gary Owens

Here are several remarks attributed to Owens that reflect his humor, outlook, and broadcasting philosophy:

“Like I always tell people, I don’t pander to any audience, but you have to play to your audience.”

“I’m not a mean comic, I don’t want to turn anybody off — I just want to give a point of view or my take on things that everyone can laugh at.”

“My comedy isn’t going to solve problems; I’m not that deep.”

“Then, when I got in the military, I used to host — even in high school — I hosted the talent shows, and when I was in the military I would host all of our base Christmas parties and stuff.”

“If anyone has the attention span of a crazed amoeba, they should enjoy all of these episodes!”

His self-introduction:
“This is Gary Owens, friend of those who want no friends, going places and losing things.”

These highlight Owens’ witty self-deprecation, his playful distance from profundity, and his identity as a broadcaster with a comedic edge.

Lessons and Legacy

Lessons We Can Draw

1. Voice is identity. Owens used his voice not merely to deliver content but as the content itself: personality, tone, and timing all mattered.

2. Blend form and humor. He could make the announcer’s posture or language itself a gag, showing that form is part of meaning.

3. Stay flexible. He shifted between radio, TV announcing, voice acting, writing, and syndication—adapting while retaining his signature.

4. Be consistent yet surprising. His invented words and surreal bits were grounded in a consistent tone; surprise worked because the audience trusted his voice.

5. Longevity in craft. His decades-long presence shows that mastery and authenticity can endure even as media evolve.

Legacy

Gary Owens remains remembered by fans of classic TV, radio history buffs, and voice-acting communities. His work on Laugh-In is often replayed or referenced, and many of the cartoons he voiced endure in syndication or streaming, keeping his voice alive for new generations.

In the vocal performance world, he is often cited as an example of how an announcer or narrator can have personality, rather than being invisible. His mixture of sincerity and absurdity influenced others who seek to bring character to the “voice behind the scenes.”

Conclusion

Gary Owens was more than a voice — he was a performer who turned the announcer’s booth into a stage. His baritone, his wordplay, his eccentric gags and polished style combined to make him an unforgettable figure in American broadcasting. From radio to Laugh-In to cartoons and beyond, his imprint is heard (sometimes quite literally) across decades of entertainment.