Don Pardo, better known as the voice of Saturday Night Live since the sketch-comedy show’s inception in 1975, died Monday at 96 years old. The announcer, who passed away in his sleep peacefully in his Tucson home, is survived by his five children.

Pardo started his announcing career in 1938, with radio station WJAR in Providence, R.I. He then became the announcer for The Price is Right from 1956 to 1963. After that show ended, he became the voice of Jeopardy! and stayed there until 1975, when he began his announcer duties for SNL.

“There was something so defining and about that voice. When you heard that voice reading the names of the cast members and hosts at the beginning of the show, you felt like you were in good hands,” said Alan Zweibel, one of the original Saturday Night Live writers. “There was something establishment about his voice, and to pair that guy, with that voice, with this show, was a stroke of genius by [“SNL” creator Lorne Michaels]. There was always a hint of ‘What kind of show is this?’ in his voice.”

Pardo officially retired in 2004, but continued working on the infamous NBC sketch-comedy show until last season. While he often recorded his introductions from his Tucson home, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame inductee would occasionally fly to New York for the show.

“My whole life changed once Don Pardo said my name,” said Amy Poehler. “I will really miss that kind and talented man.”