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Danny Dark
Danny Dark
Danny Dark
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Danny Dark (December 19, 1938 – June 13, 2004) was an American voice-over artist. For nearly four decades, he narrated memorable lines in advertisements for Budweiser ("This Bud's for you"), Raid Ant & Roach Killer ("Raid - Kills Bugs Dead"), StarKist tuna ("Sorry, Charlie") and Parkay ("Parkay Margarine from Kraft. The flavor says 'butter'."). The trade paper Radio & Records said, "Dark's distinctive voice has been heard in more award-winning commercials than any announcer in broadcast history." Dark is also well remembered for voicing Superman in the various incarnations of the Super Friends animated series (1973–1985).

Key Information

Biography

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Early life and career

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Dark was born Daniel Melville Croskery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, but his family moved to Tulsa, shortly after. He attended Tulsa Central High School, where he studied under a well-known teacher of future performers, Isabelle Ronan. He started in Missouri as a radio D.J. in the late 1950s, while studying at Drury University. He quickly advanced to stations in Cleveland, Miami, New Orleans, St. Louis, finally landing a 1963-66 stint as the evening DJ for KLAC in Los Angeles.[1]

Notable voice-over work

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Over the course of his career, Dark was the spokesman for Keebler Cookies, the Chevrolet Camaro, AT&T, Kmart, Texaco, Armor-All, Whitman's Chocolates, Dreyer's Ice Cream, and many other Blue Chip companies. Dark was the voice of the long-running TV western Bonanza, voicing their intermission commercials for the program's sponsor, Chevrolet. Dark was an announcer who came to be known as the "voice" of the CBS network during the 1970s and later, on the NBC television network during the 1980s and early 1990s, doing promo advertisements for night-time programming, as well as an announcer for NBC's flagship station, WNBC-TV, and the imaging voice for many of the network's affiliates and O&O stations for their local newscasts. [citation needed] Dark also provided the "This program is about Unsolved Mysteries..." opening narration for the popular 80s and 90s true crime series. He also voiced the NBC News 1983 "Go Where The News Is" advertising campaign.

He voiced the role of Superman/Clark Kent for twelve years, from 1973 to 1985, in each of the various incarnations of Hanna-Barbera's animated series Super Friends. He also narrated historical documentaries for the Biographical series on History Channel, including Johnny Cash: The Man in Black, and General Robert E. Lee.

His only film roles were in the 1976 film Tunnel Vision and as an announcer in 1980's Melvin and Howard starring Jason Robards.

Death

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Dark died in Los Angeles of a pulmonary hemorrhage and was interred in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.[2]

References

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Danny Dark

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from Grokipedia
Danny Dark (December 19, 1938 – June 13, 2004) was an American voice actor and radio announcer best known for his resonant baritone voice as in the animated series , which aired from 1973 to 1985. Born Daniel Melville Croskery in , , and raised in Tulsa, where he graduated from Central High School and studied at , Dark began his broadcasting career as a in , in 1956 before working at stations in Tulsa and , including KLAC-AM from 1963 to 1966. Mentored by advertising executive Chuck Blore, he shifted to voice-over work in 1965, quickly becoming a leading figure in the industry with his authoritative delivery, earning him the moniker "voice-over king" for narrating some of the most award-winning commercials of the era. Among his iconic contributions were the taglines "This Bud's for you" for beer, "Sorry, Charlie" for tuna, and "Raid kills bugs dead" for the insecticide Raid, as well as announcements for brands like , , , , Armor All, Whitman's Chocolates, and Keebler Cookies. Dark also provided the opening narration for television series such as and , served as the primary announcer for and ABC network promotions in the 1970s and 1980s, and voiced characters in other animated projects, including . He died of pulmonary hemorrhage in Los Angeles at the age of 65, survived by his wife JoBee Croskery, four children, two stepdaughters, a brother, a sister, and four grandchildren.

Early Life

Birth and Upbringing

Danny Dark was born Daniel Melville Croskery on December 19, 1938, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he spent his childhood and was raised. Dark grew up in a family that included his brother, Rev. Robert Croskery of Cincinnati, and sister, Carol Croskery of Tulsa; details about his parents' professions are not publicly documented. During his early years in Tulsa, Dark attended Central High School, marking the beginning of his formal education in the city.

Education

Danny Dark attended Central High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he graduated in 1956. The school was renowned as a nurturing environment for aspiring performers during this era, producing notable figures in broadcasting and entertainment such as Paul Harvey and Tony Randall. At Central High, Dark studied under the influential English teacher Isabelle E. Ronan, whose guidance helped shape the vocal talents of many future stars by emphasizing public speaking, , and expressive communication skills. Ronan's focused on honing students' articulation and presence, providing a foundational training ground that directly contributed to Dark's development of his distinctive, resonant voice. Following high school, Dark pursued higher education at in , where he continued to build his skills in communication and performance before transitioning into professional opportunities. While specific details on coursework or extracurriculars at Drury are limited, the institution's liberal arts curriculum supported his early interests in broadcasting-related fields.

Career

Radio Beginnings

Danny Dark began his professional radio career in 1956 while attending in , where he took his first job as a and announcer at station KICK. This entry into broadcasting built on his high school experience in , providing a foundation for his on-air presence. Leveraging connections from his upbringing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Dark moved to that city shortly after, working at stations KOME and KAKC in the late 1950s. These roles allowed him to refine his delivery and engage local audiences, marking his transition from student broadcaster to professional. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, Dark progressed to larger markets, including stints at WERE in (1959), WTIX in New Orleans (1959), WFUN in (1960), and both WIL and KXOK in . He arrived in in 1963, joining for evening shifts until 1966, where he further developed his mellow-voiced persona and technical skills amid the competitive Top 40 format. This phase solidified his reputation as a versatile radio talent capable of adapting to diverse markets and formats.

Commercial Voice-Overs

After transitioning from to studio voice work in in 1965, Danny Dark quickly established himself as a premier talent in commercial advertising, leveraging his smooth, authoritative for national campaigns. His early radio experience as a , including stints at stations in Tulsa and in , provided a solid foundation for the precise vocal delivery required in pre-recorded ads. By the late , Dark had become a go-to for major brands, contributing to his affiliation with unions such as the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), which represented voice performers in the industry. This shift proved highly lucrative, allowing him to focus exclusively on voice-overs rather than live on-air hosting. Dark earned widespread acclaim as the "voice-over king" during the 1970s through the early 1990s, particularly for his work on network promos and announcements, where his resonant style became synonymous with the broadcaster's identity. He voiced hundreds of national commercials, embedding iconic slogans into culture and reportedly accumulating more award-winning spots than any other in broadcast history. Key campaigns included Budweiser's long-running "This Bud's for you" series from the through the , RCA televisions, Chevrolet (notably Camaro ads), retail promotions, telecommunications, fuel, Whitman's Candies, Keebler Cookies, and tuna's rejection of with the line "Sorry, Charlie." These efforts not only drove his financial success but also solidified his reputation as a versatile and reliable industry staple.

Animation and Television Roles

Danny Dark is best known for his voice work as Superman, Clark Kent, and Kal-El in the Hanna-Barbera animated series Super Friends, which aired from 1973 to 1985 across multiple iterations, including Challenge of the Super Friends (1978). In this role, Dark provided the character's voice in over 100 episodes, portraying the iconic superhero with a deep, booming timbre that conveyed authority and heroism, often overlapping with the confident delivery he honed in commercial voice-overs. His performance contributed to the series' enduring popularity, making Superman's voice synonymous with a mature, reassuring presence for generations of viewers. Beyond the lead role, Dark lent his voice to several supporting characters in and other Hanna-Barbera productions, such as Commissioner Gordon, soldiers, and various authority figures, showcasing his versatility in ensemble animated casts. These minor parts highlighted his ability to embody authoritative figures, a technique rooted in precise enunciation and resonant depth that distinguished his superhero portrayals. In live-action television, Dark provided opening announcements for series including Bewitched (1964–1972) and Bonanza (1959–1973), as well as serving as the primary announcer for ABC and network promotions in the 1970s and 1980s. He transitioned his narration skills to dramatic storytelling as the opening announcer for Unsolved Mysteries from 1987 to 2002, delivering the signature line "This program is about unsolved mysteries" in a grave, suspenseful tone that set the mood for the true-crime . His contributions extended to a brief on-screen role as the Easy Street announcer in the 1980 film , where he provided support for a key sequence. This success in high-profile television projects was bolstered by his earlier commercial acclaim, allowing focus on entertainment narration.

Personal Life and Death

Marriages and Family

Danny Dark was married four times throughout his life. His first was to Rebecca Lee Walker at the age of 20, ending in . He was also married to Sharon Ann Spezman, Judith Ann Freeman, and JoBee Lucille Ziegler. His final was to JoBee, lasting 13 years until his passing. Dark had four children: daughters Elizabeth Croskery, Caroline Pyle, and Sydney Croskery, and son Jonas Croskery. He also had two stepdaughters, JoJami Tyler and Janeen Damian, from his marriage to JoBee. Additionally, he was survived by four grandchildren, a brother, Rev. Robert Croskery, and a sister, Carol Croskery. During the peak of his career, Dark resided in , , where he enjoyed and entertaining friends at home. No public records indicate family involvement in the entertainment industry. Dark maintained a private , with limited details available about his children or extended family beyond immediate survivors.

Death

Danny Dark died on June 13, 2004, in , , at the age of 65. The was a , as confirmed by his brother, the Rev. Robert Croskery. At the time of his death, Dark was semi-retired from his extensive career in voice-overs but remained active in select projects, continuing to lend his iconic to commercials and narrations. A memorial service was held on June 19, 2004, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park-Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. Dark was interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. Following the announcement of his passing, industry peers paid immediate tribute to Dark's contributions. Fox announcer Joe Cipriano described him as a mentor whose voice had become synonymous with American pop culture through memorable ad campaigns like "Sorry, Charlie" for StarKist Tuna. The trade publication Radio & Records noted his status as the "king of voice-over announcers," highlighting his enduring influence on broadcast advertising.

Legacy

Industry Impact

Danny Dark's career in voice-over work, spanning from 1956 to , exemplified the evolution of the profession and left an indelible mark on standards. Beginning as a radio announcer, he transitioned to commercials in the mid-1960s under the guidance of producer Chuck Blore, pioneering a mellow-voiced style that emphasized conversational authority over the era's typical bombastic delivery. This approach set benchmarks for authoritative yet approachable narration, influencing how brands conveyed trust and appeal in television and radio spots. Recognized throughout the industry as the "voice-over king," Dark's recordings appeared in more award-winning commercials than those of any other announcer, elevating voice work from a supporting role to a central element of persuasive storytelling. His contributions helped professionalize the field, demonstrating how a distinctive vocal timbre could drive consumer engagement and cultural memorability, as seen in iconic campaigns for brands like Budweiser and StarKist Tuna. In animation, Dark's portrayal of across the Super Friends series from 1973 to 1985 contributed significantly to the character's vocal legacy, providing a resonant, heroic that became synonymous with the icon in broadcast media for a generation. His long tenure as the primary for television network promotions further standardized the confident, polished tones used in major broadcast announcements, shaping network identity and viewer expectations.

Recognition

Danny Dark was widely regarded as one of the most influential voice-over artists in broadcast history, particularly for his contributions to commercial advertising. According to industry publication Radio & Records, Dark's distinctive voice appeared in more award-winning commercials than any other , a testament to his enduring impact on the field. This recognition underscored Dark's ability to elevate campaigns through his commanding delivery, which became synonymous with major brands like and Tuna. In the animation and television sectors, Dark received acclaim for his portrayal of in Hanna-Barbera's Super Friends franchise from 1973 to 1985, a role that solidified his status as a icon. Colleagues and peers, such as announcer Joe Cipriano, honored him as a mentor and the "voice-over king," reflecting his professional legacy upon his passing in 2004.
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