Elwood Edwards, the voice behind America Online’s iconic “You’ve got mail” greeting, has passed away at the age of 74. He died at his home in New Bern, North Carolina, from complications of a stroke he suffered late last year. Edwards recorded the famous greeting in 1989 in his living room, and it became a pop culture catchphrase in the late 1990s. His daughter, Heather Edwards, mentioned that he would still blush whenever someone brought it up, showing his humility despite the attention it brought him.
In addition to the “You’ve got mail” greeting, Edwards also recorded AOL’s “Welcome,” “Goodbye,” and “File’s done” messages. He earned $200 for his recordings, which he did while working at an independent TV station in Washington, D.C. He landed the gig through his second wife, Karen, who was a customer service representative at the time. Despite his voice being heard by millions daily, he remained a man of mystery for a while until it was publicly revealed in 1999. Edwards made appearances on shows like “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and even voiced a character on “The Simpsons” in 2000.
Before his work with AOL, Edwards had a career in radio and television, with a brief stint as a weatherman and various roles as an announcer. His daughter mentioned that he often joked about having a “face for radio,” indicating his preference for working behind the camera. Edwards also worked at WKYC-TV in Cleveland as a graphics guru, camera operator, and jack-of-all-trades. He did voice-over work for radio and TV commercials on a freelance basis. He is survived by his daughters, granddaughter, and brother, with a memorial service planned in New Bern.
Despite his voice being instantly recognizable to millions of AOL users, very few people knew Elwood Edwards’s face. He enjoyed the attention his voice brought him but was always humble about it. He once expressed his surprise at how the company kept his identity a secret for a while, making him a man of mystery within the world of AOL. Edwards’s appearance on “The Tonight Show” in 2015, where he delighted the audience by repeating his famous catchphrase, showcased his lasting impact on pop culture.
Edwards’s contribution to the tech world through his iconic greeting was significant, and he became a familiar voice in households across the country. He will be remembered not just for his role in popularizing the “You’ve got mail” greeting but also for his versatility as a voiceover artist and his dedication to his work in radio and television. His daughter mentioned that he always had a ready smile and was beloved by those who knew him. The memorial service on Monday will be an opportunity for family, friends, and fans to pay their respects to a man who left an indelible mark on the digital landscape.
