Elwood Edwards | |
|---|---|
 Edwards in 2015[1] | |
| Born | Elwood Hughes Edwards Jr. (1949-11-06)November 6, 1949 Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | November 5, 2024(2024-11-05) (aged 74) New Bern, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Alma mater | New Bern High School |
| Occupation | Voice actor |
| Years active | 1964–2016 |
| Known for | Voice acting forAOL |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 2 |
Elwood Hughes Edwards Jr. (November 6, 1949 – November 5, 2024) was an American voice actor. He was best known as the voice of varioussoundmarks for the Internet service providerAmerica Online which he first recorded in 1989.[2][3][4] This included AOL's trademark "You've got mail" greeting.[4]
Edwards started in radio while in high school, in 1964.[5][6] After high school, he continued into television, working as a live booth announcer. Despite some on-air work, including a car commercial, reporting news or sports, and a short stint as a weatherman, Edwards focused mainly on off-camera work, with work ranging from graphics to operating cameras.[5][6] He later worked atWKYC inCleveland, until his retirement in 2016.[5]
In 1989, Edwards's wife, an employee for online serviceQ-Link, overheard company CEOSteve Case describe how he wanted to add a voice to its user interface.[2] She recommended Edwards for the job, and he was paid $200 (equivalent to $507 in 2024) to record the lines.[5] In October, his voice premiered on AOL's new program. His greetings include "Welcome", "You've got mail", "You've got pictures", "You've got voicemail", "File's done", and "Goodbye", all recorded in his own living room on acassette deck.[7]
His voice also appeared in a 2000 episode ofThe Simpsons, "Little Big Mom" (where he provided the voice of a virtual doctor, saying "You've gotleprosy"), and in advertising for the 1998 filmYou've Got Mail.[5]
After retirement, he sold personalizedWAV files through his website.[8]
On the March 4, 2015, episode ofThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Edwards appeared on screen to read phrases which were meant to be humorous.[9] As of November 2016, Edwards was seen onInstagram andYouTube working as anUber driver.[10][11][12] On September 16, 2019, Edwards and his AOL story were featured on the podcastTwenty Thousand Hertz in an episode entitled "You've Got Mail".[13][14][15]
In October 2022, Edwards appeared in a television ad for thee-commerce platformShopify, in which he announced "You've got sales" to sellers on the platform.[16]
Elwood Hughes Edwards Jr. was born inGlen Burnie, Maryland, on November 6, 1949, and grew up primarily in North Carolina, first inBeaufort and then inNew Bern.[5][17] He graduated fromNew Bern High School in 1967.[18] Edwards was a Baptist and was a minister at one point.[6]
Edwards married Betsy Fulcher, and they had two children before divorcing.[5] He then married Karen Adams, whom he had met online through aQ-Link dating service; their marriage also ended in divorce.[6]
Edwards died of complications from astroke at his home inNew Bern, North Carolina, on November 5, 2024, one day before his 75th birthday.[5][19][20]
