Don LaFontaine Dies

Don LaFontaine, who stood out with his distinct voice and signature catchphrase, "in a world where," has passed away.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the voice-over artist died at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center due to complications resulting from the treatment of an existing illness.

While the 68-year-old may not have been recognized by name or appearance, his unmistakable voice resonated through thousands of Hollywood movie trailers.

LaFontaine, who was presented with a lifetime achievement award at The Hollywood Reporter's Key Art Awards in 2005, was a titan of his industry, pioneering the phrase "in a world where."

"We have to very rapidly establish the world we are transporting them to," he said in an interview last year. "That's very easily done by saying, 'In a world where . . . violence rules.' 'In a world where . . . men are slaves and women are the conquerors.' You very rapidly set the scene."

LaFontaine lent his voice to over 5,000 trailers over his 33-year career, and even made a rare appearance on the other side of the camera in 2006, when he played himself in a series of car insurance commercials, telling a consumer, "In a world where both of our cars were totally under water . . .," reported THR.

He caught his big break in 1965 at a recording session, when an announcer did not show up, allowing LaFontaine the opportunity to record a promo for the movie, Gunfighters of Casa Grande. At the time, he had been working in the growing promo industry, producing radio spots for movies along with producer Floyd Peterson.

Before his death, LaFontaine had been averaging 7 to 10 voice-overs per day, working out of a home studio with a fax machine for incoming scripts. He leaves behind his wife, Nita Whitaker, as well as three daughters.