Announcer Bob LeMond Dies

Renowned Voice Talent Was 94

Bob LeMond, an announcer whose voice was heard on some of television’s classic sitcoms, died January 6, 2008, at his home in Bonsall, California, due to complications from dementia. He was 94.

Although LeMond did not have a recognizable face, his voice was unmistakable if you watched television over the past 60 years,

Born in Hale Center, Texas, on April 11,1913, LeMond moved to southern California with his family when he was a child.

He began his career in radio in the early 1930s, and became a regular voice on CBS. During World War II he continued in the field, working as an announcer for Armed Forces Radio.

Following the war he continued to work for CBS, where he became the announcer for Lucille Ball’s popular radio program My Favorite Husband. When Ball moved to television, LeMond recorded the pilot episode of I Love Lucy. The episode was lost for many years, but was rediscovered decades later. CBS eventually aired the pilot, complete with LeMond’s introductions and narrations.

Among his other career highlights, LeMond was one of the announcers for Leave It to Beaver, Ozzie and Harriet, Our Miss Brooks, The Red Skelton Show and Bat Masterson. He also did the voiceovers for Do You Trust Your Wife?, a game show hosted by Edgar Bergen.

In 1971 LeMond retired from show business to pursue real estate interests in Bonsall.

He is survived by three sons, five grandchildren and a great-grandchild. His wife of 59 years, Barbara, preceded him in death in 2005.