SYNOPSIS
In honor of what would have been Don LaFontaine’s 78th birthday, six of the people who knew him best are coming together to discuss the legendary voiceover artist’s life. Don’s generosity of spirit extended to hundreds of aspiring VO talent via his mentoring and a strong sense of “paying it forward.” Since it opened in 2010, the Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab has become an important resource for performers interested in voiceover training and education while they prepare for careers in voiceover - or fine tune existing careers. The Lab continues to nurture a sense of community and embody its core principles of giving back in the same way the late Don LaFontaine did throughout his career.
Join us as Don’s wife of 20 years, Nita Whitaker, his two agents of 26 years (Steve Tisherman and Vanessa Gilbert), two of the three Co-Founders of the DLF Voiceover Lab (Paul Pape and George Whittam) and a founding member of the VO Lab (George Delhoyo), discuss not only Don's legacy, but how his example set the stage for the success of the DLF Voiceover Lab . Memorable videos and stories about Don will be shared as part of this very special event that should provide plenty of inspiration for current and developing voiceover artists.
Moderated by John Murphy, CEO/Creative Director of Simpatico Productions & former Creative Director of DG Entertainment
PANELISTS BIOS
Paul Pape
Paul Pape has been a successful voiceover actor for over 33 years. A SAG-AFTRA Foundation Board Member from 2009-2018, he’s also a Co-Founder of the DLF Voiceover Lab and Chair of its Advisory Board. A member of the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences, his credits range from films and animated features to two Presidential campaigns and ads for Fortune 500 companies world-wide.
George Whittam
George Whittam is the global authority on the technology of voiceover recording, investing thousands of hours researching studio design, recording equipment, and creating training materials for voice actors. Among his many successful clients are Malcolm McDowell, Allison Janney, Patrick Warburton, Rolonda Watts, Melissa Disney, Tara Strong, Joe Cipriano, (the late) Miguel Ferrer and Don LaFontaine. He is also a Co-Founder of the Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab and part of the Lab's Advisory Board.
Nita Whitaker
Nita was married to Don for 20 years. A former Miss Louisiana and Grand Champion on Star Search, Nita is an accomplished singer. actor. producer, award winning author and a registered nurse. In honor of Don and her librarian mother, Nita founded the 501c3 non profit, In A World With Books.
Most importantly however, she is mother to emerging artists Skye and Liisi LaFontaine.
Steve Tisherman
Steve got his start representing talent at the William Morris Agency. Everything changed when he met advertising copywriter, Don LaFontaine. The two began what can be described as a "beautiful friendship." Steve started the Tisherman Agency in 1972 with Don and a handful of other clients. The agency's reputation and roster grew to be one of the premiere voice talent agencies in Los Angeles. After three decades as an agent, Steve retired in 2008, leaving TGMD in the capable hands of his partners.
Steve is a founding member of the Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab and part of the Lab's Advisory Board.
Vanessa Gilbert
Vanessa Gilbert has been working in the field of voiceover since 1977. In her career she has graciously worked with the best of the best and Don LaFontaine sits right at the top of that list.
Vanessa is a proud voting member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Women In Animation, and a founding member of the Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab and part of the Lab's Advisory Board.
George DelHoyo
As an actor, George spent the first 20 years of his career working as a performer on stage, film and television. Additionally, he found success as an in-demand voice artist. Being bilingual, George often gets the opportunity to voice campaigns in both English and Spanish, and has become one of the most recognized voices in the industry. His VO credits are immense and include promotional campaigns for FOX Television Network, ABC Family. and HBO, to name a few. He has also voiced the campaigns of over 500 feature films and hundreds of commercials on TV and radio.
George is a founding member of the Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab.
John Murphy
From 1995-2014, John was the Creative Director at DG Entertainment. There he developed award-winning campaigns and marketing strategies for a vast array of networks and syndicated shows including 30 Rock, The Office, Family Guy, Seinfeld, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy! and numerous film trailers. Currently, he is the owner and Creative Director of Simpatico Creative Productions.
