Harold Douglas, born Harold Cohen on September 1, 1924, in Stamford, Connecticut, was an American voice actor renowned for his extensive work in movie trailers, television commercials, and stage plays, spanning a remarkable six-decade career.
Born to Jewish immigrants Samuel and Miriam Levenson Cohen, Douglas's early life was marked by tragedy when his mother passed away when he was just nine years old. He was primarily raised by his grandparents, Sarah and Tevya Levenson, along with his brother Edwin.
Douglas's early career began in radio in the 1950s, followed by a stint as a producer for several prominent advertising agencies in New York City by the 1960s. He eventually transitioned into voice-overs for commercials, promos, and trailers by the early 1970s, a career path he would pursue until his retirement in the late 2000s.
Throughout his illustrious career, Douglas lent his iconic voice to numerous projects, including promos for The WB, ABC, A&E, Disney's Halloween Treat, and The History Channel. He also provided narration for various documentaries, such as the 1997 Detroit Red Wings, the 1994 and 1995 Houston Rockets, and the 1992, 1993, 1996, and 1997 Chicago Bulls championship documentaries.
Douglas's impressive body of work led to a number of notable appearances, including a parody of himself in the trailer for the documentary Comedian, featuring Jerry Seinfeld. He also provided narration for the trailer of the novel All the Talk Is Dead by Michael Ebner.
Unlike many of his peers, Douglas lived in Northern Virginia, and his agent was based in New York City, rather than Los Angeles. This unique arrangement allowed him to maintain a distinct identity within the industry.
Hal Douglas was widely regarded as "perhaps the most recognizable trailer voice in the business," according to a Miramax publicist. His remarkable career was celebrated in the skit "5 Men and a Limo," which featured other notable voiceover recording artists, including Don LaFontaine, John Leader, Nick Tate, Al Chalk, and Mark Elliot.
In his personal life, Douglas moved to a 40-acre farm in Lovettsville, Virginia, in 1988, where he pursued his passion for organic gardening and his wife took up competitive horse riding. He even built a small recording studio on the property, allowing him to work from home, often in his pajamas.
Sadly, Harold Douglas passed away on March 7, 2014, at the age of 89, due to pancreatic cancer, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable voice-overs and a remarkable career that spanned nearly seven decades.
