Although he announced for other TV shows, O'Donnell was known as the voice behind "Wheel of Fortune" from 1975 to 1980. He returned for several stints even after retiring, including when his successor Jack Clark passed away in 1988.
O'Donnell celebrated his 25th anniversary on "Wheel of Fortune" in 2007 and was at the mic as "Wheel" recorded its 5,000th episode in syndication in 2009.
O'Donnell started his showbiz career on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" in 1958. During the '60s, he was a DJ on KRLA Radio in Los Angeles. In the '70s, he anchored the afternoon newscast on KCOP-TV.
He served as the announcer for the Beatles when they appeared at the Hollywood Bowl and Dodger Stadium in 1965, 1966 and 1967; for the Rolling Stones when they appeared at the Long Beach Auditorium in 1965; and for Pope John Paul II's visit to Los Angeles and the papal nationwide teleconference in 1987.
Other highlights include the Academy Awards, Emmys, Golden Globe Awards and the American Music Awards. Among the TV shows he announced were "The Dating Game," "Everybody's Talking," "The Gong Show," "The Joker's Wild," "The Newlywed Game," and "Tic Tac Dough."
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