Darrell Hammond: 'Saturday Night Live' Announcer Named

In this 2005 file photo is seen Comedian Darrell Hammond. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

By    |   Thursday, 18 September 2014 10:52 AM EDT ET

Darrell Hammond will become the announcer for "Saturday Night Live" following the death of Don Pardo, who died this summer at the age of 96.

According to USA Today, Pardo's career spanned all 39 seasons of SNL, but he occasionally had Hammond fill in for him.

"I sat in for Don when he had laryngitis several times over the years," Hammond said upon the announcement.

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"He was a lovely person. When he passed, they wanted me; it felt right for me to be the one to replace him. It's been a very improbable life; I didn't expect something like this, but it feels real good."

Hammond, 58, was SNL's longest serving star, and impersonated Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Donald Trump, Regis Philbin, and Sean Connery during his 14 season tenure that ended in 2009.

Since, he's been on FX's "Damages," appeared on TBS comedy "Are We There Yet?" and continued his work in live stand-up. He also released a bestselling memoir in 2011.

Lorne Michaels, SNL's executive producer, spoke highly of Hammond during the announcement, and said he encourages him to make the introduction of the show, cast, and segments his own.

"I just knew it wouldn't be anybody who sounded like Don or replicated him," Michaels said.

"It can't be what it was, but it could sort of be in the same tradition. And it will be nice to have Darrell around. He understands the show and will probably be helpful in ways we haven't yet figured out."



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TheWire
Darrell Hammond will become the announcer for "Saturday Night Live" following the death of Don Pardo, who died this summer at the age of 96.
darrell hammond, saturday night live, announcer
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2014-52-18
Thursday, 18 September 2014 10:52 AM
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