Image via Naples Daily News. Photo credit: Erik Kellar/Staff.
Iconic narrator and voice-over artist Peter Thomas has died at the age of 91. Best known for narrating TLC‘s The Forensic Files, he most recently worked on the Changing Seas TV show (2009 – 2014), from WPBT2 in Miami, Florida.
Hist other TV series work includes Nova, Mobsters, Biography, Empires of Industry, Modern Marvels, Naked Planet, and How the West Was Lost. He also served as cinematographer on one 1993 episode of that series, “A Good Day to Die.”
Here is more from Naples Daily News:
Peter Thomas, 91, a voice-over icon and World War II veteran, died Saturday, nearly two years after he lost his wife and high school sweetheart, Stella Barrineau Thomas.
His distinctive vocal cords made him a part of Americana, but locally Peter Thomas became famous for his humanitarian heart.
“He was loved by so many people,” said Peter Thomas Jr., the 65-year-old son who was by his father’s side in Naples when he passed, along with Peter Thomas’s two other children, Doug Thomas and Elizabeth Joyoprayitno.
During a career that spanned seven decades, Peter Thomas lent his smooth and silky baritone to everything from commercials to documentaries, his most well-known work being the narrator of “Forensic Files.” He was a radio announcer, a newspaper reporter, television anchor for CBS New York and finally, a voice-over actor.
A family man
Born in Pensacola to a Presbyterian minister, Peter Thomas had a strict upbringing, but he credited it as instrumental to his future career. In a 2014 interview, Peter Thomas said his Welsh father required him to read and memorize Bible passages, and encouraged him to paint mental pictures of words while speaking.
In high school, Peter Thomas started reading poetry and news on the local radio station. That’s when he met Stella. After spotting her at a school dance, he began to woo Stella by dedicating a song and poem to her on his show. They began dating.
Stella and Peter Thomas were married on June 29, 1946, and raised three children together in Greenwich, Connecticut.
The couple purchased a home in Naples in 1966 on a whim during a vacation, but they didn’t move to Southwest Florida permanently until 1985, as Peter Thomas continued to travel extensively for his career.
Enjoy these clips of Mr. Thomas’s work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsFtEsjzk_g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WNxzvBO7uM
We invite you to share your memories of Mr. Thomas and his enduring career, below.
The voice of Peter thomas has been my comfort every night before bed, I have watched forensic files so many times I have seen every single episode, my husband would make fun of me because I would put it on every night, and I realized one day it wasn’t the show itself it was the voice that I found soothing. Thank you Mr. Thomas you had a one of a kind voice.
Me too… i have listened to his soothing voice every night. His voice would actually put me to sleep…
This is a little off topic but the meme of him saying Taco Bell burrito in a episode of ff will always be funny
I LOST my husband of 39 years February 2015, we watched forensic files every night since the 1990’s. I had a very hard time adjusting and not knowing what to do with my life!! It is now July 2020 and I have let Mr. Thomas’s voice help me to find rest and sleep on some very lonely nights!! I have seen every episode of forensic files 50 times over but it is Mr. Thomas’s voice that is like a very good friend atnight!!! I’m so sorry for ur families loss but I thank God and Mr. Thomas’s voice every night!!!
THE WHOLE WORLD OF FORENSIC SCIENCE IS A KNOWLEDGEABLE PLACE BECAUSE OF PETER THOMAS. I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT MR. PETER THOMAS WAS CHOSEN BY GOD TO GIVE US KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MANY DIFFERENT THINGS ABOUT FORENSIC SCIENCE THAT I BELIEVE WOULD HAVE NEVER EVER BEEN UNDERSTOOD IF IT GOD HAD NOT CREATED MR. THOMAS. THE WHOLE WORLD IS VERY SHARP BECAUSE OF PETER THOMAS. MR.THOMAS WAS GOD SENT. I HAVE AVOIDED MANY PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF MR. PETER THOMAS AND HIS DISTINGUISHING VOICE THAT YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE DRAWN TO HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO SAY. THE BIBLE SAYS TO THEM THAT… Read more »
Mr.THOMAS IS FROM FLORIDA AND I’M BORN AND RAISED IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA AND WHAT A BLESSING TO KNOW THAT MY BIBLE STATE HOME FLORIDA COULD BRING UP SUCH A ASTONISHINGLY MAN WHOSE VOICE WILL CONTINUE TO BE APART OF HISTORY UNTIL THE END OF TIME. WHAT A BLESSING TO KNOW THAT PETER THOMAS WAS RAISED WITH THE LORD IN HIS LIFE AND THAT’S WHAT MAKES HIS VOICE EMACULATE. BLESS HIS FAMILY.
I’ve always loved your voice and now they have that is close to yours I watched forensic files for years,
As a longtime Forensic Files, I always felt like Mr. Thomas was a friend telling me a story with such kindness and elegance. He lives on through old episodes. I will miss him. He seemed to be a very kind man. RIP
Not a day goes by that Mr Thomas’ name doesn’t come up at my house. We watch FF every evening, but I say “It’s time for Peter.” I don’t have to say anything else
I’m sorry to hear about his passing 3 years later…the last time that I looked him up he was still working at an advanced age…as a former person who used to be on the air he was an inspiration for most of my life…I remember that I used to mimic his voice from the NCAA commercials that he did in the late 1970’s into the 1980’s…Mr. Thomas was truly an underrated ALL-TIME GREAT voice for all of our lives…rest in peace sir!
Forensic file won’t be ever be the same without Peter Thomas voice
My husband Tom also falls asleep listening to Forensic Files Peter Thomas voice.
My husband and I watch “Forensic Files” almost every day after work. Peter Thomas’ voice is the signal that a long day is done. Even though the topic of the show is usually quite gruesome, Mr. Thomas’s smooth deliveries are always comforting. Lots of times we are not even paying attention to the story, just as long as that distinct voice is in the background, all is well with the world. Thank you for the gift of your voice Peter!
Absolutely.. well said! His voice in the background as we drift asleep.. says all is right with the world! Perfectly stated!!!
I wish there was a recording of him saying “They put some stuff on it…to see what it would do.” That’s what I always think of when I see Forensic Files.
Im so late.. Just found out about Mr. Thomas death. Sad news to hear. I love his voice. I watch FF daily. You will be truly missed. ❤
Mr. Thomas’ iconic voice and craft of the English language is what provided the Forensic Files the long-running success it enjoyed.
He will be sorely missed by all those who loved him as well as all those who recognized his voice as the “voice” of The Forensic Files.
Godspeed, Mr. Thomas; we all hope you will announce our arrival at the pearly gates!
I love Forensic Files. I am watching all episodes on Netflix. It is sad that we have lost a great narrator with a magnificent voice, Peter Thomas.