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Alan Kalter, who was the announcer and sometimes comic foil for CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman from 1995 until it wrapped after the host’s retirement in 2015, died on Monday, Deadline has confirmed. He was 78.

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Rabbi Joshua Hammerman of Stamford, Connecticut’s Temple Beth El confirmed that he passed away at Stamford Hospital. A cause of death was not disclosed.

A fan favorite with his droll humor, wild red hair and — of course — a distinctive voice, Kalter also joined Letterman for many a comedy bit during the announcer’s nearly 1,500 Late Show episodes. He often would play faux angry or bitter, dropping bleeped expletives. Sometimes he would break out in song, leaving Letterman to give that trademark deadpan “Huh?” look to the audience and cameras.

Kalter was born on March 21, 1943, in Brooklyn and taught high school English after graduating from college.

Alan Kalter, the “voice” of CBS’ “Late Show With David Letterman” for most of its run, has died, Variety has confirmed. He was 78.

According to Rabbi Joshua Hammerman of Temple Beth El in Stamford, Conn., Kalter died at Stamford Hospital, with wife Peggy and his daughters Lauren Hass and Diana Binger at his side.

Kalter took over as Letterman’s announcer on Sept. 5, 1995, replacing Bill Wendell, who had retired. Kalter remained with “Late Show” until Letterman ended his tenure in May 2015.

Although the gig centered on announcing the guests at the top of each show and other various introduction elements, Kalter soon became a pivotal part of “Late Show,” often in scripted segments in which he satirically flew off the handle and stormed off stage; played himself as deviant and creepy; and often being the butt of jokes.

“When our announcer of 15 years Bill Wendell retired, producer Robert Morton came...

Alan Kalter, who served as announcer on CBS’ Late Show With David Letterman for two decades, has died at the age of 78, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He passed away Monday in a Connecticut hospital, his wife Peggy confirms.

Kalter succeeded Letterman’s original announcer Bill Wendell, who departed The Late Show in 1995. On screen, Kalter frequently played a heightened version of himself, appearing in a myriad of segments, often as a sexual deviant. He also hosted show-within-a-show Alan Kalter’s Celebrity Interview. He remained a fixture on The Late Show through Letterman’s retirement in 2015.

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Alan Kalter, who served as the announcer and performed hilarious comic bits for David Letterman during his two-decade run on CBS’ Late Show, has died. He was 78.

Kalter died Monday at Stamford Hospital in Connecticut, his wife, Peggy, told The Hollywood Reporter.

The red-haired Kalter took over for the retired Bill Wendell as the Late Show announcer in September 1995 — about two years after Letterman moved from NBC to CBS — and remained through the host’s final program on May 20, 2015. On his first day on the job, Letterman tossed him into a pool.

With musical accompaniment from Paul Shaffer and ...

Alan Kalter, who served as the announcer and performed hilarious comic bits for David Letterman during his two-decade run on CBS’ Late Show, has died. He was 78.

Kalter died Monday at Stamford Hospital in Connecticut, his wife, Peggy, told The Hollywood Reporter.

The red-haired Kalter took over for the retired Bill Wendell as the Late Show announcer in September 1995 — about two years after Letterman moved from NBC to CBS — and remained through the host’s final program on May 20, 2015. On his first day on the job, Letterman tossed him into a pool.

With musical accompaniment from Paul Shaffer and ...

Network: CBS

Episodes: 4,263 (62 minutes)

Seasons: 22

TV show dates: August 30, 1993 -- May 20, 2015

Series status: Ended

Performers include: David Letterman, Paul Schaffer, Bill Wendell, and Alan Kalter.

TV show description:

Derived from Late Night With David Letterman, this Emmy Award-winning late night talk show was born as David Letterman switched networks from NBC to CBS. It's produced by Letterman's production company Worldwide Pants Incorporated and follows much the same format as its predecessor.

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