Editing Gary Owens

{{Cast Data
| image= Gary Owens.jpg
| character= Voice of [[Cy]]
| series= 1980
| born_month= 05
| born_day= 10
| born_year= 1934
| death_month= 02
| death_day= 12
| death_year= 2015
| nationality= US
| imdb= 0654365
| sortkey= Owens, Gary
}}

'''Gary Owens''' (born Gary Bernard Altman; May 10, 1934 – February 12, 2015) was an American disc jockey, voice actor, radio announcer, and radio personality who provided the voice of [[Cy]] in the ''[[Galactica 1980]]'' episode "[[The Return of Starbuck]]". His polished baritone speaking voice and deadpan delivery made him one of the most recognizable voices in American broadcasting across a career spanning seven decades.<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary">{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/02/13/entertainment/gary-owens-obit/index.html#:~:text=The%20veteran%20voice%2Dover%20artist%20with%20a%20rich%20baritone|title=Gary Owens, 'Laugh-In' announcer, dead at 80|publisher=CNN|date=February 14, 2015|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref>

== Early Life and Career ==

Born Gary Bernard Altman on May 10, 1934, in [[w:Mitchell, South Dakota|Mitchell, South Dakota]], Owens was the son of Venetta Clark, an educator and county auditor, and Bernard Joseph Altman, a county treasurer and sheriff.<ref group="external" name="walkoffame_owens_bio">{{cite web|url=https://walkoffame.com/gary-owens/#:~:text=Owens%20was%20born%20Gary%20Altman%20in%20Mitchell%2C%20South%20Dakota|title=Gary Owens|publisher=Hollywood Walk of Fame|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref> He was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of eight, a condition he managed throughout his life.<ref group="external" name="deadline_owens_death">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/02/gary-owens-dead-laugh-in-announcer-radio-voice-over-legend-1201373228/#:~:text=Owens%2C%20a%20diabetic%20since%20childhood|title=Gary Owens Dies; 'Laugh-In' Announcer, Voice Actor & Legendary L.A. Radio Voice|author=Nellie Andreeva|publisher=Deadline|date=February 13, 2015|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref>

Before entering broadcasting, Owens showed artistic talent, winning a cartooning scholarship at age twelve in a competition judged by ''[[w:Peanuts|Peanuts]]'' creator [[w:Charles_Schulz|Charles Schulz]].<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview">{{cite web|url=https://classicshowbiz.blogspot.com/2010/11/interview-with-gary-owens.html#:~:text=I%20won%20the%20cartoon%20contest%20and%20won%20a%20scholarship|title=An Interview with Gary Owens|author=Kliph Nesteroff|date=November 30, 2010|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref> The scholarship was for a correspondence course with a cartoon company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Owens later befriended Schulz in San Francisco when both were members of the cartoon committee there.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/>

Owens began his broadcasting career in 1952 as a news reporter at KORN in Mitchell, South Dakota, and was promoted to news director two years later at age 22.<ref group="external" name="hollywoodreporter_owens_obit">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/laugh-announcer-gary-owens-dies-773328/#:~:text=became%20a%20cartoonist%20in%20Mitchell%2C%20South%20Dakota|title='Laugh-In' Announcer Gary Owens Dies at 80|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 13, 2015|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref> Interestingly, his high school history teacher was future U.S. Senator and presidential candidate George McGovern.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/> He subsequently worked at radio stations across the midwest and southern United States, including KMA in Shenandoah, Iowa, and KOIL in Omaha, Nebraska, where a station owner suggested he adopt the surname "Owens."<ref group="external" name="televisionacademy_owens">{{cite web|url=https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/gary-owens#:~:text=he%20acquired%20the%20name%20Owens%20in%20the%201950s|title=Gary Owens|publisher=Television Academy|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref>

In 1959, Owens moved to California, initially working at KEWB-AM in Oakland, where he partnered with future radio legend Casey Kasem.<ref group="external" name="deadline_owens_death"/> He relocated to Los Angeles in 1961, joining KFWB-AM before moving to KMPC-AM in 1962, where he hosted a popular afternoon show for two decades.<ref group="external" name="televisionacademy_owens"/> His KMPC show was known for surrealistic humor, including segments like the "Moo Cow Report," which gave fictional traffic information based on the supposed movement of cows across Los Angeles freeways.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/> He also created nonsense words such as "krenellemuffin," "creebling," and "insegrevious," the latter of which was briefly included in the Funk and Wagnalls Dictionary.<ref group="external" name="walkoffame_owens_bio"/> One of his famous promotions was offering an autographed photo of the Harbor Freeway, which generated 50,000 requests; recipients received a picture of the freeway signed "Yours truly, Harbor Freeway."<ref group="commentary" name="hofstede_comforttv_tribute">{{cite web|url=https://comforttv.blogspot.com/2016/01/comfort-tv-tribute-gary-owens.html#:~:text=autographed%20photo%20of%20the%20Harbor%20Freeway|title=Comfort TV Tribute: Gary Owens|author=David Hofstede|date=January 2016|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref>

Owens also coined the phrase "Beautiful downtown Burbank," which later became a catchphrase on ''[[w:The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson|The Tonight Show]]'' with Johnny Carson.<ref group="external" name="variety_owens_death">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/gary-owens-announcer-of-laugh-in-fame-dies-at-80-1201433731/#:~:text=The%20phrase%20Owens%20created%20on%20his%20KMPC%20radio%20show|title=Gary Owens Dead: Laugh-In Ghost Dies At 80|publisher=Variety|date=February 13, 2015|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref> The phrase originated in his radio weather reports, which would announce temperatures in various Los Angeles locations with humorous descriptions: "It's 80 degrees in romantic Reseda, 75 degrees in lascivious Laguna, and in beautiful downtown Burbank, it's 500 degrees."<ref group="commentary" name="hofstede_comforttv_tribute"/>

== Television Career ==

Owens achieved national fame as the hand-over-ear announcer on NBC's ''[[w:Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In|Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In]]'', appearing in all 140 episodes from 1968 to 1973.<ref group="external" name="televisionacademy_owens"/> He was one of only two cast members, along with Ruth Buzzi, to remain with the show for its entire run.<ref group="external" name="deadline_owens_death"/> His distinctive on-camera persona featured him holding his right hand cupped over his ear while speaking into a microphone, imitating early radio announcers who relied on acoustic feedback to monitor their delivery.<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/> On his radio show, he would humorously explain this pose by claiming a piece of shrapnel had taken off his ear during the war, or that he had a wooden ear he needed to hold in place.<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/>

Owens was hired for ''Laugh-In'' following a fortuitous encounter with producer George Schlatter at the Smoke House restaurant in Burbank.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/> While washing his hands in the restaurant's resonant bathroom, Owens demonstrated his announcing style by cupping his hand to his ear and remarking on the acoustics.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/> Schlatter immediately recognized this as the perfect transition device for the show's rapid-fire sketch format. Arte Johnson, who had been previously hired for the show, also recommended Owens for the announcer position.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/>

On the show, Owens delivered absurdist transitions and mock-serious announcements in his signature deadpan style, such as "This just in – the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France is not made of Eiffel at all!" and "John Chancellor is back in our NBC newsroom practicing a speech that is worthy of Cicero – or any other small town in Illinois."<ref group="commentary" name="hofstede_comforttv_tribute"/> Despite the show's demanding schedule, ''Laugh-In'' was one of Owens' easier commitments; episodes typically finished in just two days, with Owens taping his segments in the morning and returning the following day for the weekly cocktail party sketch, all while continuing his daily radio show and extensive voice work.<ref group="commentary" name="hofstede_comforttv_tribute"/>

During the late 1960s, Owens also appeared regularly as a television newscaster in eight episodes of ''[[w:The Green Hornet (TV series)|The Green Hornet]]'' and hosted the short-lived game show ''Letters to Laugh-In'' in 1969.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/> He later served as the announcer for ''[[w:America's Funniest Home Videos|America's Funniest Home Videos]]'' from 1995 to 1997, the final three years of Bob Saget's hosting tenure, replacing Ernie Anderson.<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/>

== Voice Acting Career ==

Owens became one of the most prolific voice actors in animation history, with credits on more than 3,000 cartoon shows.<ref group="external" name="imdb_gary_owens_profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0654365/#:~:text=Gary%20Owens%20was%20an%20American%20voice%20actor|title=Gary Owens|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref> His first cartoon voice role was as the title character in ''[[w:Roger Ramjet|Roger Ramjet]]'' in the 1960s.<ref group="commentary" name="hofstede_comforttv_tribute"/> The series, which lampooned the military-industrial complex with extremely limited animation, was elevated by clever writing and Owens' note-perfect portrayal of the titular character.<ref group="commentary" name="hofstede_comforttv_tribute"/> He wrote for the show alongside Gene Moss and Jim Thurman at Ken Snyder Productions.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/>

Owens is best known for voicing the superhero Space Ghost in the original ''[[w:Space Ghost (TV series)|Space Ghost]]'' series beginning in 1966, as well as in ''[[w:Space Stars|Space Stars]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_gary_owens_profile"/> He reprised the role in a cameo appearance on ''[[w:Space Ghost Coast to Coast|Space Ghost Coast to Coast]]'' in 1998 and on ''[[w:Batman: The Brave and the Bold|Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'' in 2011.<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/>

His extensive voice work also included Blue Falcon in ''[[w:Dynomutt, Dog Wonder|Dynomutt, Dog Wonder]]'' (1976-1977), the narrator in ''[[w:The Perils of Penelope Pitstop|The Perils of Penelope Pitstop]]'', Commander Ulysses Feral in ''[[w:SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron|SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron]]'' (1993-1994), Powdered Toast Man in ''[[w:The Ren & Stimpy Show|The Ren & Stimpy Show]]'', and announcing for ''[[w:Garfield and Friends|Garfield and Friends]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_gary_owens_profile"/> He also narrated Walt Disney World's EPCOT Center pavilion, World of Motion, from 1982 to 1996, and served as the voice of Lt. Dirk Niblick on PBS's ''[[w:Square One Television|Square One Television]]'' from 1987 to 1992.<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/>

Owens also contributed to the development of several animated projects. He worked as a scriptwriter for Jay Ward Productions, writing for shows including ''[[w:Rocky and Bullwinkle|Rocky and Bullwinkle]]'' and ''[[w:Fractured Flickers|Fractured Flickers]]'' alongside comedy writers Chris Hayward, Allan Burns, and George Atkins.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/> For twenty years (1968-1988), Owens co-owned a production company with animation legend Mel Blanc and his son Noel Blanc, producing syndicated radio comedy shows.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/>

In his later years, Owens was the promotional announcing voice for Antenna TV, an over-the-air digital network dedicated to classic television shows, intoning the catchphrase "Vintage...without the funny smell."<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/>

=== ''Galactica 1980'' ===

Owens provided the uncredited voice of [[Cy]], a Cylon Centurion that [[Starbuck (1980)|Starbuck]] repairs, in "[[The Return of Starbuck]]," the final episode of ''[[Galactica 1980]]'' which aired on May 4, 1980.<ref group="external" name="imdb_return_starbuck">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0585504/fullcredits/#:~:text=Gary%20Owens,Cy|title="Galactica 1980" The Return of Starbuck (TV Episode 1980) - Full cast & crew|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref> Unlike other Cylon voices in the series, Cy's voice featured Owens' natural vocal inflections supplemented by the standard Cylon vocoder effect, giving the character a more expressive quality.<ref group="commentary" name="bennett_galactica_review">{{cite web|url=https://christopherlbennett.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/galactica-1980-thoughts-ep-10-and-overview/#:~:text=The%20Vocoder%20monotone%20is%20still%20there%2C%20but%20it%E2%80%99s%20supplementing%20rather%20than%20replacing|title=GALACTICA 1980 thoughts — Ep. 10 and overview|author=Christopher L. Bennett|date=February 3, 2011|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref> Through Owens' performance, Cy developed a distinct personality characterized by sarcasm, wounded pride, and philosophical questioning, making him one of the most memorable characters in ''Galactica 1980''.<ref group="commentary" name="manapop_return_starbuck">{{cite web|url=https://manapop.com/tv/galactica-1980-the-return-of-starbuck-review/#:~:text=Gary%20Owen%E2%80%99s%20Cy%20is%20very%20reminiscent%20of%20Dick%20Tufeld|title=Galactica 1980: The Return of Starbuck – Review|date=March 8, 2021|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref>

== Other Work and Recognition ==

Beyond radio and animation, Owens appeared on more than 1,000 network television shows and provided voiceovers for over 30,000 commercials throughout his career.<ref group="external" name="hollywoodreporter_owens_obit"/> He recorded numerous comedy albums, wrote books including ''How to Make a Million Dollars With Your Voice (Or Lose Your Tonsils Trying)'' (2004), and appeared in films such as Disney's ''[[w:The Love Bug|The Love Bug]]'' (1969) and ''[[w:Spy Hard|Spy Hard]]'' (1996).<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/>

Owens received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1980, positioned between those of Walt Disney and Betty White at 6743 Hollywood Boulevard.<ref group="external" name="kmit_owens_obituary">{{cite web|url=https://kmit.com/news/099990-mitchell-native-gary-owens-dies#:~:text=Gary%20received%20his%20star%20on%20the%20Hollywood%20Walk%20of%20Fame%20in%201980|title=Mitchell Native Gary Owens Dies|publisher=KMIT 105.9 FM|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref> He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1995 and the National Television Hall of Fame in 2001.<ref group="external" name="variety_owens_death"/> In 1983, he organized a successful campaign to secure a Hollywood Walk of Fame star for The Three Stooges, personally knowing Moe Howard and Larry Fine through regular lunches at the Smoke House restaurant.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/> He emceed their unveiling ceremony on August 30, 1983, which drew six or seven thousand people across four blocks, one of the largest crowds ever assembled for a Walk of Fame ceremony.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/>

== Personal Life ==

Owens married Arleta Markell on June 26, 1956; they remained married for nearly sixty years until his death.<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/> Together they had two sons: Scott Owens, an Emmy and Producers Guild of America award-winning producer, and Chris Dane Owens, a musician and Emmy-nominated producer.<ref group="external" name="kmit_owens_obituary"/>

Owens died on February 12, 2015, at his home in Encino, California, at age 80, surrounded by his family.<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/> The cause of death was complications from Type 1 diabetes, a condition he had battled since childhood.<ref group="external" name="deadline_owens_death"/> His son Chris stated, "His body just kind of failed. We are grateful that he died so peacefully with all of us present and that he was able to remain vital throughout his life."<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/> Owens continued working until the end of his life, voicing television promos just one month before his death.<ref group="external" name="hollywoodreporter_owens_obit"/> Producer George Schlatter, who hired Owens for ''Laugh-In'', remembered him as "a lovely, lovely man" with "a whimsical, fey sense of humor," noting that "Gary did not work. Gary played. He was a very charming, creative, witty guy who had a good time."<ref group="external" name="deadline_owens_death"/>

== References ==

=== Commentary and Interviews ===
{{reflist|group=commentary}}

=== External Sources ===
{{reflist|group=external}}

== External Links ==

* [https://www.radiohalloffame.com/gary-owens Gary Owens] at the Radio Hall of Fame
* [https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/gary-owens Gary Owens] at the Television Academy
* [https://walkoffame.com/gary-owens/ Gary Owens] at the Hollywood Walk of Fame
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 In 1959, Owens moved to California, initially working at KEWB-AM in Oakland, where he partnered with future radio legend Casey Kasem.<ref group="external" name="deadline_owens_death"/> He relocated to Los Angeles in 1961, joining KFWB-AM before moving to KMPC-AM in 1962, where he hosted a popular afternoon show for two decades.<ref group="external" name="televisionacademy_owens"/> His KMPC show was known for surrealistic humor, including segments like the "Moo Cow Report," which gave fictional traffic information based on the supposed movement of cows across Los Angeles freeways.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/> He also created nonsense words such as "krenellemuffin," "creebling," and "insegrevious," the latter of which was briefly included in the Funk and Wagnalls Dictionary.<ref group="external" name="walkoffame_owens_bio"/> One of his famous promotions was offering an autographed photo of the Harbor Freeway, which generated 50,000 requests; recipients received a picture of the freeway signed "Yours truly, Harbor Freeway."<ref group="commentary" name="hofstede_comforttv_tribute">{{cite web|url=https://comforttv.blogspot.com/2016/01/comfort-tv-tribute-gary-owens.html#:~:text=autographed%20photo%20of%20the%20Harbor%20Freeway|title=Comfort TV Tribute: Gary Owens|author=David Hofstede|date=January 2016|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref>
-Owens also coined the phrase "Beautiful downtown Burbank," which later became a catchphrase on ''[[w:The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson|The Tonight Show]]'' with Johnny Carson.<ref group="external" name="variety_owens_death">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/gary-owens-announcer-of-laugh-in-fame-dies-at-80-1201433731/#:~:text=The%20phrase%20Owens%20created%20on%20his%20KMPC%20radio%20show|title=Gary Owens Dead: Laugh-In Ghost Dies At 80|publisher=Variety|date=February 13, 2015|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref> The phrase originated in his radio weather reports, which would announce temperatures in various Los Angeles locations with humorous descriptions: "It's 80 degrees in romantic Reseda, 75 degrees in lascivious Laguna, and in beautiful downtown Burbank, it's 500 degrees."<ref group="commentary" name="hofstede_comforttv_tribute"/> He used similar colorful phrasing for other areas, such as "Magnificent Monrovia" and "Romantic Reseda."<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_burbank">{{cite book|last=Owens|first=Gary|coauthors=Jeff Lenburg|title=How to Make a Million Dollars With Your Voice (Or Lose Your Tonsils Trying)|year=2005|publisher=McGraw-Hill|location=New York|isbn=0-07-142410-5|pages=110-111}}</ref>
+Owens also coined the phrase "Beautiful downtown Burbank," which later became a catchphrase on ''[[w:The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson|The Tonight Show]]'' with Johnny Carson.<ref group="external" name="variety_owens_death">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/gary-owens-announcer-of-laugh-in-fame-dies-at-80-1201433731/#:~:text=The%20phrase%20Owens%20created%20on%20his%20KMPC%20radio%20show|title=Gary Owens Dead: Laugh-In Ghost Dies At 80|publisher=Variety|date=February 13, 2015|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref> The phrase originated in his radio weather reports, which would announce temperatures in various Los Angeles locations with humorous descriptions: "It's 80 degrees in romantic Reseda, 75 degrees in lascivious Laguna, and in beautiful downtown Burbank, it's 500 degrees."<ref group="commentary" name="hofstede_comforttv_tribute"/>
 == Television Career ==
@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 On the show, Owens delivered absurdist transitions and mock-serious announcements in his signature deadpan style, such as "This just in – the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France is not made of Eiffel at all!" and "John Chancellor is back in our NBC newsroom practicing a speech that is worthy of Cicero – or any other small town in Illinois."<ref group="commentary" name="hofstede_comforttv_tribute"/> Despite the show's demanding schedule, ''Laugh-In'' was one of Owens' easier commitments; episodes typically finished in just two days, with Owens taping his segments in the morning and returning the following day for the weekly cocktail party sketch, all while continuing his daily radio show and extensive voice work.<ref group="commentary" name="hofstede_comforttv_tribute"/>
-During the late 1960s, Owens also appeared regularly as a television newscaster in eight episodes of ''[[w:The Green Hornet (TV series)|The Green Hornet]]'' and hosted the short-lived game show ''Letters to Laugh-In'' in 1969.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/> Over his television career, Owens guest-starred in numerous episodic programs including ''[[w:The Munsters|The Munsters]]'', ''[[w:McHale's Navy|McHale's Navy]]'', ''[[w:I Dream of Jeannie|I Dream of Jeannie]]'', ''[[w:Mad About You|Mad About You]]'', ''[[w:Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996 TV series)|Sabrina the Teenage Witch]]'', ''[[w:Night Court|Night Court]]'', and ''[[w:That '70s Show|That '70s Show]]''.<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_guest_appearances">{{cite book|last=Owens|first=Gary|coauthors=Jeff Lenburg|title=How to Make a Million Dollars With Your Voice (Or Lose Your Tonsils Trying)|year=2005|publisher=McGraw-Hill|location=New York|isbn=0-07-142410-5|pages=xiv}}</ref> He also served as the original host of ''[[w:The Gong Show|The Gong Show]]''.<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_guest_appearances"/>
+During the late 1960s, Owens also appeared regularly as a television newscaster in eight episodes of ''[[w:The Green Hornet (TV series)|The Green Hornet]]'' and hosted the short-lived game show ''Letters to Laugh-In'' in 1969.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/> He later served as the announcer for ''[[w:America's Funniest Home Videos|America's Funniest Home Videos]]'' from 1995 to 1997, the final three years of Bob Saget's hosting tenure, replacing Ernie Anderson.<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/>
-In the 1980s, Owens cohosted and announced the "Miss Piggy Goes Hollywood" special on CBS along with Dick Van Dyke, Rita Moreno, and Johnny Mathis. When the building's power failed during the taping at the Ambassador Hotel, Owens was asked to fill for forty-five minutes while emergency power was restored. Despite having already used his material warming up the audience, he successfully entertained the all-star audience by introducing celebrity guests including [[w:Dick_Van_Dyke|Dick Van Dyke]], father to ''[[Galactica 1980]]''<nowiki/>'s [[Barry Van Dyke]] ([[Dillon]]).<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_muppets_special">{{cite book|last=Owens|first=Gary|coauthors=Jeff Lenburg|title=How to Make a Million Dollars With Your Voice (Or Lose Your Tonsils Trying)|year=2005|publisher=McGraw-Hill|location=New York|isbn=0-07-142410-5|pages=121-122}}</ref>
-Owens later served as the announcer for ''[[w:America's Funniest Home Videos|America's Funniest Home Videos]]'' from 1995 to 1997, the final three years of Bob Saget's hosting tenure, replacing Ernie Anderson.<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/>
 == Voice Acting Career ==
@@ Line 57: / Line 53: @@
 Owens provided the uncredited voice of [[Cy]], a Cylon Centurion that [[Starbuck (1980)|Starbuck]] repairs, in "[[The Return of Starbuck]]," the final episode of ''[[Galactica 1980]]'' which aired on May 4, 1980.<ref group="external" name="imdb_return_starbuck">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0585504/fullcredits/#:~:text=Gary%20Owens,Cy|title="Galactica 1980" The Return of Starbuck (TV Episode 1980) - Full cast & crew|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref> Unlike other Cylon voices in the series, Cy's voice featured Owens' natural vocal inflections supplemented by the standard Cylon vocoder effect, giving the character a more expressive quality.<ref group="commentary" name="bennett_galactica_review">{{cite web|url=https://christopherlbennett.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/galactica-1980-thoughts-ep-10-and-overview/#:~:text=The%20Vocoder%20monotone%20is%20still%20there%2C%20but%20it%E2%80%99s%20supplementing%20rather%20than%20replacing|title=GALACTICA 1980 thoughts — Ep. 10 and overview|author=Christopher L. Bennett|date=February 3, 2011|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref> Through Owens' performance, Cy developed a distinct personality characterized by sarcasm, wounded pride, and philosophical questioning, making him one of the most memorable characters in ''Galactica 1980''.<ref group="commentary" name="manapop_return_starbuck">{{cite web|url=https://manapop.com/tv/galactica-1980-the-return-of-starbuck-review/#:~:text=Gary%20Owen%E2%80%99s%20Cy%20is%20very%20reminiscent%20of%20Dick%20Tufeld|title=Galactica 1980: The Return of Starbuck – Review|date=March 8, 2021|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref>
-== Commercial and Promotional Work ==
-Throughout his career, Owens provided voiceovers for over 30,000 commercials for radio and television,<ref group="external" name="hollywoodreporter_owens_obit"/> making him one of the most heard voices in American advertising. He served as a top promo announcer for every major television network.<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_bio_summary">{{cite book|last=Owens|first=Gary|coauthors=Jeff Lenburg|title=How to Make a Million Dollars With Your Voice (Or Lose Your Tonsils Trying)|year=2005|publisher=McGraw-Hill|location=New York|isbn=0-07-142410-5|pages=About the Authors}}</ref> Owens emphasized that success in television announcing required adding vocal color to scripted material, maintaining high energy, and fitting the tone of voice to the specific job.<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_tv_announcing">{{cite book|last=Owens|first=Gary|coauthors=Jeff Lenburg|title=How to Make a Million Dollars With Your Voice (Or Lose Your Tonsils Trying)|year=2005|publisher=McGraw-Hill|location=New York|isbn=0-07-142410-5|pages=111-112}}</ref>
-In discussing commercial work in his book ''How to Make a Million Dollars With Your Voice'', Owens explained that voice artists in great demand possess either a straight announcing voice or a personality voice. He noted that while many voice artists may not be recognized on the street or become household names, successful professionals can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars or even millions per year.<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_commercial_work">{{cite book|last=Owens|first=Gary|coauthors=Jeff Lenburg|title=How to Make a Million Dollars With Your Voice (Or Lose Your Tonsils Trying)|year=2005|publisher=McGraw-Hill|location=New York|isbn=0-07-142410-5|pages=126-128}}</ref>
 == Other Work and Recognition ==
-Beyond radio and animation, Owens appeared on more than 1,000 network television shows throughout his career.<ref group="external" name="hollywoodreporter_owens_obit"/> He hosted twelve thousand local and national radio shows<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_bio_summary"/> and recorded numerous comedy albums. He appeared on fifteen record albums and CDs and was nominated for six Grammy Awards.<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_bio_summary"/> His first book, ''Elephants, Grapes, and Pickles'', sold more than seven hundred thousand copies for Price Stern and Sloan and helped popularize elephant jokes. His second book, ''The Gary Owens What to Do While Holding the Phonebook'', was a successful trivia hardback.<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_bio_summary"/> He also narrated dozens of audiobooks<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/> and lent his voice to numerous videos and DVDs, including hosting Richard Jones's Emmy Award-winning "Dinosaurs" series with Eric Boardman, which sold more than five hundred thousand copies on videotape.<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_bio_summary"/>
+Beyond radio and animation, Owens appeared on more than 1,000 network television shows and provided voiceovers for over 30,000 commercials throughout his career.<ref group="external" name="hollywoodreporter_owens_obit"/> He recorded numerous comedy albums, wrote books including ''How to Make a Million Dollars With Your Voice (Or Lose Your Tonsils Trying)'' (2004), and appeared in films such as Disney's ''[[w:The Love Bug|The Love Bug]]'' (1969) and ''[[w:Spy Hard|Spy Hard]]'' (1996).<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/>
-Owens appeared in films such as Disney's ''[[w:The Love Bug|The Love Bug]]'' (1969) and ''[[w:Spy Hard|Spy Hard]]'' (1996).<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/> He also served as the master of ceremonies and hosted thousands of Hollywood events, including major movie premieres, charity shows, and Emmy and Grammy telecasts.<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_bio_summary"/>
-Owens was honored as the Top Radio Personality in the United States and Top Radio Personality in the World by ''Billboard'' and ''Radio & Records'' magazines.<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_bio_summary"/> He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1980, positioned between those of Walt Disney and Betty White at 6743 Hollywood Boulevard.<ref group="external" name="kmit_owens_obituary">{{cite web|url=https://kmit.com/news/099990-mitchell-native-gary-owens-dies#:~:text=Gary%20received%20his%20star%20on%20the%20Hollywood%20Walk%20of%20Fame%20in%201980|title=Mitchell Native Gary Owens Dies|publisher=KMIT 105.9 FM|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref> His ear print was also encased in cement at NBC Studios in "beautiful downtown Burbank."<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_bio_summary"/> He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1995 and the National Television Hall of Fame in 2001.<ref group="external" name="variety_owens_death"/>
+Owens received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1980, positioned between those of Walt Disney and Betty White at 6743 Hollywood Boulevard.<ref group="external" name="kmit_owens_obituary">{{cite web|url=https://kmit.com/news/099990-mitchell-native-gary-owens-dies#:~:text=Gary%20received%20his%20star%20on%20the%20Hollywood%20Walk%20of%20Fame%20in%201980|title=Mitchell Native Gary Owens Dies|publisher=KMIT 105.9 FM|accessdate=November 6, 2025}}</ref> He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1995 and the National Television Hall of Fame in 2001.<ref group="external" name="variety_owens_death"/> In 1983, he organized a successful campaign to secure a Hollywood Walk of Fame star for The Three Stooges, personally knowing Moe Howard and Larry Fine through regular lunches at the Smoke House restaurant.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/> He emceed their unveiling ceremony on August 30, 1983, which drew six or seven thousand people across four blocks, one of the largest crowds ever assembled for a Walk of Fame ceremony.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/>
-In 1983, Owens organized a successful campaign to secure a Hollywood Walk of Fame star for The Three Stooges, personally knowing Moe Howard and Larry Fine through regular lunches at the Smoke House restaurant.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/> He emceed their unveiling ceremony on August 30, 1983, which drew six or seven thousand people across four blocks, one of the largest crowds ever assembled for a Walk of Fame ceremony.<ref group="commentary" name="nesteroff_owens_interview"/>
-In the foreword to Owens' book, comedian Jonathan Winters, who considered Owens one of his two best friends in show business (along with Robin Williams), praised him as "a man for all seasons" and noted that "the best therapy in the world is laughter, and when and if you should run into Gary Owens, all your troubles will disappear."<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_winters_foreword">{{cite book|last=Owens|first=Gary|coauthors=Jeff Lenburg|title=How to Make a Million Dollars With Your Voice (Or Lose Your Tonsils Trying)|year=2005|publisher=McGraw-Hill|location=New York|isbn=0-07-142410-5|pages=xi-xii}}</ref>
 == Personal Life ==
-Owens married Arleta Markell on June 26, 1956; they remained married for nearly sixty years until his death.<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/> Together they had two sons: Scott Owens (born Scott Michael Owens), an Emmy and Producers Guild of America award-winning producer, and Chris Dane Owens, a musician and Emmy-nominated producer.<ref group="external" name="kmit_owens_obituary"/> Owens met Arleta in college,<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_winters_foreword"/> and both sons followed their father into the entertainment business.<ref group="book" name="owens_lenburg_winters_foreword"/>
+Owens married Arleta Markell on June 26, 1956; they remained married for nearly sixty years until his death.<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/> Together they had two sons: Scott Owens, an Emmy and Producers Guild of America award-winning producer, and Chris Dane Owens, a musician and Emmy-nominated producer.<ref group="external" name="kmit_owens_obituary"/>
 Owens died on February 12, 2015, at his home in Encino, California, at age 80, surrounded by his family.<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/> The cause of death was complications from Type 1 diabetes, a condition he had battled since childhood.<ref group="external" name="deadline_owens_death"/> His son Chris stated, "His body just kind of failed. We are grateful that he died so peacefully with all of us present and that he was able to remain vital throughout his life."<ref group="external" name="cnn_owens_obituary"/> Owens continued working until the end of his life, voicing television promos just one month before his death.<ref group="external" name="hollywoodreporter_owens_obit"/> Producer George Schlatter, who hired Owens for ''Laugh-In'', remembered him as "a lovely, lovely man" with "a whimsical, fey sense of humor," noting that "Gary did not work. Gary played. He was a very charming, creative, witty guy who had a good time."<ref group="external" name="deadline_owens_death"/>
 == References ==
-=== Book ===
-{{reflist|group=book}}
 === Commentary and Interviews ===
@@ Line 98: / Line 79: @@
 * [https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/gary-owens Gary Owens] at the Television Academy
 * [https://walkoffame.com/gary-owens/ Gary Owens] at the Hollywood Walk of Fame
-[[Category:1980 Cast]]
-[[Category:Cast Members]]