R.I.P.: Voice-Over Icon, War Hero Peter Thomas

The voice of Peter Thomas has gone silent.

Thomas, 91, a voice-over icon and World War II veteran, died Saturday, nearly two years after he lost his wife and high school sweetheart, Stella Barrineau Thomas.

His vocal cords made him a part of Americana, but locally Peter Thomas became most famous for his humanitarian heart, reports the Naples FL News.

During a career that spanned seven decades, Peter Thomas lent his smooth and brassy baritone to everything from commercials to documentaries. He was a radio announcer, a newspaper reporter, television anchor for CBS New York and finally, a voice-over actor.

His smooth baritone became widely sought nationally, landing him work from commercials to documentaries. He narrated films on the Holocaust, notably the 1995 Academy Award-winning documentary "One Survivor Remembers," a short film chronicling six years of Nazi persecution. His voice was heard on commercials for Coca-Cola, ExxonMobil and major car companies, among others

In high school, Peter Thomas started reading poetry and news on the local radio station. That's when he met Stella. After spotting her at a school dance, he began to woo Stella by dedicating a song and poem to her on his show. They began dating.

Peter Thomas joined the Army in 1943, shipped out to Europe that December. While overseas, he fought through France, Belgium and crossed the Rhine into Germany. Peter Thomas won his Purple Heart for his participation in the Battle of the Bulge.

In high school, Peter Thomas started reading poetry and news on the local radio station. That's when he met Stella. After spotting her at a school dance, he began to woo Stella by dedicating a song and poem to her on his show. They began dating.

Peter Thomas joined the Army in 1943, shipped out to Europe that December. While overseas, he fought through France, Belgium and crossed the Rhine into Germany. Peter Thomas won his Purple Heart for his participation in the Battle of the Bulge.



Stella and Peter Thomas stayed together. The couple moved to Naples in 1966, when they purchased a house on a whim during a vacation. They raised three children together, two of whom are also voice-over actors.