ROD RODDY

'Robert Ray "Rod" Roddy' (September 28, 1937 – October 27, 2003) was an American radio and television announcer "Rod Roddy" CBS. Retrieved 15 May 2007. , best known as the announcer for the popular game show ''The Price Is Right'' from 1986 until his death.

Contents

Biography

Early beginnings

Career

The Price Is Right

Illness and death

References

External links

Biography

Early beginnings

He graduated from Texas Christian University and was a disc jockey and talk show host on KLIF and KNUS-FM (Dallas, Texas), as well as working overnights and middays at the Buffalo, New York radio station WKBW AM among other high-profile stations.

Career

Roddy announced the situation comedy ''Soap'' (1977–1981), where he provided the opening and closing narration ("Confused? You won't be after this week's episode of ''Soap''!"). According to Randy West, Roddy was hired as a replacement for Casey Kasem, who left the show due to his objection to the content. Indeed, Roddy's announcement for ''Soap'' was markedly different from his game show gigs, more closely emulating the smooth, calm Kasem than his energetic trademark.
It was around this time that Roddy began announcing for game shows. Among the early shows he announced for were ''Whew!'' (1979–1980), ''Battlestars'' (1981–1982), ''Love Connection'' (1983–1985), ''Hit Man'' (1983) and ''Press Your Luck'' (1983–1986). He also announced the pilots for future game shows ''Scrabble'', ''Jeopardy!'', ''Wordplay'' and ''Dream House''.
Roddy also lent his voice to the friendly microphone that introduced Mickey Mouse at the beginning of every episode of Disney's animated TV series, "House of Mouse."

The Price Is Right

He replaced Johnny Olson as announcer on ''The Price Is Right'' after Olson's death in 1985 and continued with the show until his death in October 2003. Roddy was known on the show for his excitement and flamboyance. He was frequently shown on-camera while he announced "the next contestant on ''The Price Is Right''." His signature call of "Come on down!" became well known. Roddy often wore loud outfits, including, in particular, brightly colored and feathered or sequined sport jackets. He first wore pastel jackets from Hong Kong and, with the encouragement of Bob Barker, turned them into a trademark. Preferring Thai silk for its colorfulness, he traveled to Bangkok several times a year to have new ones custom-made. "Rod Roddy" AVClub. Retrieved 15 May 2007.

Illness and death

Roddy was diagnosed with colon and breast cancer in 2001. The diagnosis led Roddy to become a spokesperson for early detection of cancer. Roddy: "I could have prevented all this with a colonoscopy, and of course, that's the campaign I've been on since I had the first surgery...to everybody out there, 'get a mammogram!' It can happen to men, too." "Rod Roddy Medical Update" CBS. Retrieved 15 May 2007.
While ill with his cancer for over two years, Rod Roddy continued to do announcing for ''The Price Is Right'' for as long as he could (though his enthusiasm and flamboyance was very subdued due to it and FremantleMedia's rule forbidding announcers to be routinely shown on camera), right up to his last hospitalization two months before his death at the age of 66. "Rod Roddy" Find A Grave. Retrieved 15 May 2007.
After his death, he was succeeded on ''The Price is Right'' by current announcer Rich Fields.

References

External links

★ An interview with Rod Roddy about his cancer (CBS)

★ Rod Roddy Bio at CBS - Price Is Right

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