Man behind AOL's "You've Got Mail" voice dead at 74

Elwood Edwards, known for his voice work on AOL's famous greeting "You've Got Mail," has passed away at the age of 74 after a long illness. Edwards, who worked as a graphics and camera operator at Cleveland's WKYC television station, recorded the iconic phrases in 1989 at the suggestion of his wife, Karen, who was employed at Quantum Computer Services, the precursor to AOL. His voice became synonymous with the early days of the internet, reaching hundreds of millions of users. Edwards recorded four phrases—“Welcome,” “You’ve Got Mail,” “Files done,” and “Goodbye”—on a cassette deck in his living room, not realizing the impact they would have. He later reflected on his unexpected fame, recalling how he felt seeing stacks of AOL CDs, each featuring his voice. Edwards was also known for his generosity in sharing his broadcasting knowledge with colleagues and made appearances on shows like "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Born in New Bern, North Carolina, he began his career in radio and transitioned to television, preferring behind-the-scenes work over being in front of the camera.

- Elwood Edwards, voice of AOL's "You've Got Mail," died at 74.

- He recorded the iconic phrases in 1989, which became a staple of the AOL experience.

- Edwards worked at WKYC in Cleveland, contributing to various roles in broadcasting.

- His voice reached hundreds of millions, making him an unexpected celebrity.

- He preferred behind-the-scenes work and was known for mentoring colleagues.