Dick Tufeld

Dick Tufeld
Born	Richard Norton Tufeld (1926-12-11)December 11, 1926 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	January 22, 2012(2012-01-22)(aged 85) Los Angeles, California
Resting place	Mount Sinai Memorial Park
Alma mater	Northwestern University
Occupations	Actor announcer narrator Voice actor
Years active	1945–2004
Spouse	Adrienne Tufeld ​ ​ (m.1948; died 2004)​
Children	Bruce Tufeld

Richard Norton Tufeld(December 11, 1926 – January 22, 2012) was an American actor, announcer, narrator and voice actor from the late 1940s until the early 21st century. He worked constantly and continuously throughout this lengthy career and was one of the busiest announcers in television history. He was a well-known and well respected presence on television as an announcer on countless television shows, award shows, network promos, radio and movie promos but his most famous and beloved role was as the voice of theRobotin the television seriesLost in Spaceand in theLost in Spacemovies.

Early life

Born in Los Angeles, California, to a Russian father and a Canadian mother,he spent his childhood inPasadena,California. Tufeld attended theNorthwestern University School of Communication,then known as the university's School of Speech. In 1945, he obtained a job as an engineer atKLAC,a radio station in Los Angeles.

Career

Tufeld's voice career began in radio. He was the announcer onABC'sThe Amazing Mr. Malonein early 1950 (before the show moved to New York andNBC); then onAlan Reed'sFalstaff's Fables,a five-minute ABC radio program that began in the fall of 1950. From October 25, 1952, to March 19, 1955, Tufeld was the announcer for the entire run ofABC Radio'sSpace Patrol.

Tufeld moved to television in 1955,working in ABC daytime programming and anchoringThe Three Star Final,a 15-minute newscast onKABC-TV,Los Angeles. It debuted on October 3, 1955, at noon (replacingWrangler Jim), then moved to 11 p.m. on April 2, 1956.

Tufeld was often heard as the announcer onDisneytelevision shows, including the 1957–1959 seriesZorrostarring futureLost in SpaceleadGuy Williams.He narrated Disneyland's 1955Man in Space.He had periods as the house announcer on two ABC variety series,The Hollywood PalaceandThe Julie Andrews Hour.

In 1954, he was cast in assorted roles in fifteen episodes ofGene Autry Productions'ssyndicatedtelevision series,Annie Oakley,which starredGail DavisandBrad Johnson.

Tufeld is perhaps best known as the voice of the B9Robotin theCBStelevision seriesLost in Space,a role he reprised for the 1998feature film.He also provided narrations for many otherIrwin Allenproductions, such as ABC'sVoyage to the Bottom of the SeaandThe Time Tunnel,and did voice work for the 1978 animated television seriesFantastic Four.He narrated several episodes ofThundarr the Barbarian(1980). From 1977 - 1985, he was the chief announcer for ABC-TV’s popular “Love in the Afternoon” soap opera promos. He was the main title narrator on the 1979DePatie-Frelengseries,Spider-Woman,as well as the main title announcer on the 1981 Marvel Productions showSpider-Man and His Amazing Friends.

Personal life, death and legacy

Tufeld was married to Adrienne Tufeld (1948–2004, her death), and commissioned a home by architectGregory Ainin 1952.

Tufeld died in 2012 ofcongestive heart failure.His son,Bruce Tufeld,was a talent agent; he died in 2019.

External links

• Dick TufeldatFind a Grave
• Dick TufeldatIMDb