Rod Roddy

"This is RRRRRRRod Roddy, speaking for The Price is Right!" During the past 17 years, that trademark cry, along with his famous "C'mon down!" were identified with Rod Roddy, a beloved game show announcer.

Robert Ray Roddy – a native of Fort Worth, Texas and graduate of Texas Christian University – got his start in radio as a popular disc jockey in Texas and Los Angeles. His first claim to nationwide fame was as the announcer on Soap, the situation comedy-satire take on soap operas.

He soon moved into game shows, announcing for such shows as Battlestars and Hit Man before working on his first successful game show, Press Your Luck.

Roddy began his long association with The Price is Right as its announcer in January 1986, three months after the death of legendary announcer Johnny Olsen (several other announcers, including Bob Hilton, Rich Jeffries, Charlie O'Donnell and Gene Wood, served as substitute announcers in the interim). He quickly gained favor of the show's longtime fans, and did the "C'mon down!" cry as well as anyone. His flamoyant coats and banter with The Price is Right host Bob Barker quickly became trademarks as much as the "C'mon down" and "This is RRRRRRRod Roddy ..." calls.

Roddy had battled colon cancer the last two years of his life. His battle had been documented in a PBS documentary and several magazines. Despite his illness, he kept up his cheerful demeanor and worked as he was able.