The Late Show with David Letterman's Alan Kalter Dies at 78

LOS ANGELES – Alan Kalter, the red-haired announcer with a booming voice on CBS’ “Late Show With David Letterman” for two decades, has died at 78. He passed away Monday in a Connecticut hospital.

Kalter had succeeded the show’s original announcer Bill Wendell, who left “The Late Show” in 1995. The energetic Kalter frequently played a more heightened version of himself as he appeared in a variety of comedic segments. He also a segment the show, called “Alan Kalter’s Celebrity Interview.” He continued with “The Late Show” through Letterman’s retirement in 2015.

“RIP Alan Kalter,” former Late Show scribe Bill Scheft wrote on Twitter. “A lovely man, and as my old boss might say, a ‘perfect stooge.'”

Besides “The Late Show,” Kalter had been the announcer on a number of game shows including “To Tell the Truth” and “The $25,000 Pyramid,” along with USA Network’s “USA Saturday Nightmares” and others. He also announced as “WrestleMania XXVII” in 2011 as well as appeared in two episodes of the NBC’s “Ed,” — which was co-produced by Letterman’s Worldwide Pants Incorporated” production house. Kalter’s last televised appearance was in 2017, when Letterman was presented the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor during a Kennedy Center PBS special.