Elwood Edwards was a graphics supervisor and production manager for local TV stations who was thrust into distinction when he became the voice of AOL and its iconic “You’ve got mail” greeting.
- Died: November 5, 2024 (Who else died on November 5?)
- Details of death: Died in New Bern, North Carolina from complications of a stroke at the age of 74.
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Elwood Edwards’ legacy
Edwards was not a voice actor when he recorded four simple phrases that became synonymous with the early World Wide Web. He was working for a North Carolina news station in 1989 when his wife, Karen, a customer service rep for Quantum Computer Services – which would change to America Online – heard CEO Steve Case wanted a voice for its email interface. She recommended Edwards, and he recorded a few simple phrases on a cassette player in their living room.
Soon, “welcome” “you’ve got mail,” “files done,” and “goodbye” became some of the most commonly-heard verbal dispatches on the internet, so ubiquitous that, for many, they came to symbolize its use. One even became the title of a 1998 movie, “You’ve Got Mail,” starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
Though his voice was among the most famous in the world, Edwards was paid just $200 by AOL. He became a minor celebrity, making an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and an episode of “The Simpsons,” but he never spun the task into a full career in voice acting. Edwards worked for 14 years at Cleveland television station WKYC in graphics, camera operation and other areas until his retirement in 2016. In his later years, he drove for Uber.
Tributes to Elwood Edwards
Full obituary: The New York Times
