‘MANY GREAT MEMORIES’
‘Late Show’ announcer, Stamford celebrity Alan Kalter dead at 78
“Stamford Downtown is saddened by his loss, but we are forever grateful for his talent and generous commitment to our community.”
STAMFORD — Alan Kalter was known around the country as the quirky, red-headed announcer and comedic counterpart to David Letterman on “The Late Show” for two decades.
But, in Stamford, Kalter’s legacy was defined less by his professional success than his charitable spirit, said Sandy Goldstein, the former president of the Stamford Downtown Special Services District and a close personal friend of Kalter.
Kalter died at age 78 on Monday at Stamford Hospital with his wife, Peggy, and their two daughters at his side, according to Rabbi Joshua Hammerman of Temple Beth El, the local synagogue Kalter attended.
While most remember Kalter for his reso
David Kooris, president of the DSSD, referring to ‘Late Show’ announcer, Stamford celebrity Alan Kalter
nant voice and penchant for comedy, Goldstein said what she holds most dear about Kalter was his dedication to his surrounding community.
Goldstein said Kalter was always quick to lend his celebrity to a good cause, whether that meant working as a master of ceremonies at any number of city events or galas or donating his time as a volunteer at a domestic violence center or other local nonprofits.
“What he gave to the community as a celebrity speaks volumes about the generous person that he was,” she said.
Kalter served as the master of ceremonies for the city’s annual Thanksgiving Parade from 2003 until the most recent parade in 2019. The parade has been canceled in each of the past two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
David Kooris, the current president of the DSSD, said Kalter’s “off the cuff humor” and star status helped to elevate the city’s parade.
“He was a charming and witty emcee who added star talent to our festivities, helping to evolve the parade over those decades to a regional tourism draw,” Kooris said. “Stamford Downtown is saddened by his loss, but we are forever grateful for his talent and generous commitment to our community.”
Kalter was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on March 21, 1943. Nicknamed “Big Red” for his hair, he provided the opening introductions on the “Late Show with David Letterman" on CBS from September 1995 until Letterman's last episode on May 20, 2015, having taken the mantle after Bill Wendell's retirement.
As Letterman would walk and run onto the stage, Kalter would introduce him with a sarcastic flair as “the king of unsocial media,” “nocturnal rainforest mammal” and other monikers.
“Whatever else, we always had the best announcer in television,” Letterman said in a statement. "Wonderful voice and eagerness to play a goofy character of himself. Did I mention he could sing? Yes, he could. He enthusiastically did it all. A very sad day, but many great memories.”
Before Letterman, Kalter was the voice of the Michelin Man and the USA Network and the announcer for “Commander USA's Groovie Movies" on the USA Network. He also was the announcer for New York-based game shows, including “To Tell the Truth" and “The $10,000 Pyramid."
Kalter taught high school English on Long Island in the late 1960s before moving into radio broadcasting.
In addition to being active in the Stamford community, Kalter was also a devout Jew.
Hammerman said he recalls the day he arrived at Temple Beth El in Stamford nearly 35 years ago.
He said Kalter, who was serving as president of the synagogue at the time, invited him and his wife to spend their first Friday night Sabbath with his family.
“That already tells you how deeply instilled in Jewish values he and his family were and have always been,” Hammerman said. “He was a deeply spiritual man and dedicated to human causes and the Jewish people. He was a true mensch.”
A private funeral will be held at the Stamford synagogue on Wednesday starting at noon. The funeral will be livestreamed.