- Born
- Died
- Nickname
- Charlie O
- Charlie O'Donnell was born on August 12, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor, known for Cops and Robbersons (1994), Batman (1966) and L.A. Law (1986). He was married to Ellen Lerner and Mary Jane Ryan. He died on November 1, 2010 in Sherman Oaks, California, USA.
- SpousesEllen Lerner(May 7, 1989 - November 1, 2010) (his death)Mary Jane Ryan(May 24, 1952 - June 4, 1984) (her death, 4 children)
- Prolific announcer of over 20 game shows.
- Most famous as Dick Clark's announcer/sidekick on American Bandstand (1952).
- Charlie is best known as the "voice" of Wheel of Fortune, a job he had done for a total of 28 years on both the daytime Wheel of Fortune (1975) show from 1975-1980 and 1989-1991 and the syndicated Wheel of Fortune (1983) show from 1989-2010.
- Children: Son Dennis O'Donnell works in music publishing; daughter Patricia O'Donnell-Rough manages the Instructional Media Collections and Services for UCLA; son Michael O'Donnell is a set dresser for the movie industry; and youngest child Bridgid O'Donnell is a digital motion picture restoration artist.
- Married Ellen Lerner O'Donnell, May 7, 1989. Knew each other for years in the music business then reconnected years later. Fixed up by director Jeff Margolis and wife Leslie.
- I am very lucky that I have had such a wonderful home base at Wheel of Fortune. Throughout my 40 plus years working as an announcer, I have had the honor to have worked with some of the leading entertainers in the world.
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