PEOPLE Peter Thomas, Iconic Voice Actor And Humanitarian: The Voice You Knew May 2, 2016 Did you know or work with Peter Thomas? Please share your memories in COMMENTS below. (VOXtra) - The iconic voice of Peter Thomas has been silenced, but not the memories and tributes pouring in from the many worlds he touched as a humanitarian, radio and TV newscaster and voice over legend. He was also a World War II hero, participating in D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge and fighting throughout Europe. Peter died this past weekend in his long-time home town of Naples, FL, at the age of 91. Yes, his career was long and remarkable. And it's likely you'd heard his smooth baritone voice in countless commercials, documentaries and commercials. Peter's hometown newspaper, Naples Daily News, reviews his life in several articles here. And below, treat yourself to this 2003 interview in which you'll learn more about the amazing career of Peter Thomas - and hear that marvelous voice one more time ... Peter, we'll miss you. Your Daily Resource For Voice-Over Success
|
|
He will be missed!
The store rep mentioned me to Peter and shared with him that I am a freelance voice talent focusing on national television, radio and film projects. Peter told the rep that he would like to talk with me and got my name and phone number. A few weeks later, my phone rang, and on the other end was the legendary voice which I recognized immediately.
Peter and I struck an instant friendship. He shared with me that he had heard my demos and said, and I'll never forget this as long as I live..."Tom, you definitely should be doing national work!"
That encouragement from Peter Thomas was enough,but he did me one better. He said, "Do you have a piece of paper and a pen? I'm going to give you the names and phone numbers of a few of my agents and tell them I told you to call!"
From time to time I would share with him a few of my voice tracks from projects I'd been working on, and he would give me pointers such as..."That is good. Just ease off a bit, soften the delivery and you'll have it perfect." For the record, he was right. The project producer said the same thing.
And just after Peter lost his life long love, Stella, he had to be treated for injuries suffered in some sort of fall. My wife and I sent a flower arrangement in hopes that it would cheer him up. Well, it did and he took the time to call us and thank us for sending it.
He was always that way. Appreciative, thoughtful and very helpful. I owe him a great debt because his decades of experience and just the mention of his name has opened so many doors for me that I can't begin to recall.
I miss Peter deeply. I am a better person and voice talent for having known him. What a class act and a legendary narrator. Just about everyone has heard and knows the voice of the legendary narrator Peter Thomas.
Thank you, Peter. I miss you already.
In 1979, I was working as audio producer for a corporate multimedia production house when one of our clients chose Peter to narrate a presentation. As he wasn't able to travel to our studio in northern NJ, I was to meet him at a studio in Manhattan and "direct" his read. It was not necessary to direct Peter Thomas; if anyone could properly interpret copy, it was this man.
When I found him narrating TV's "Forensic Files" during the late 1990s, I emailed him through the show's production company and told him how his work in the early 1960s had influenced me. One day several weeks later, the phone rang: "Hello, Mike. Peter Thomas calling." There was nothing but a genuine friendliness coming through the phone as he thanked me for remembering his work.
A few years later, I was selected by the "Forensic Files" producers to read the text of the ransom note written by the kidnapper of Adolph Coors III for the show's "Bitter Brew" episode. It was a thrill to hear my voice interspersed with Peter's when the episode aired.
Peter and I spoke and exchanged emails several times since. He was truly a remarkable person and it was not so much his voice, but what he did with it, that inspired me.