The iconic voice behind AOL’s “You’ve got mail!” greeting, which became a familiar sound for millions of users, has passed away at 74.
WKYC Studios in Cleveland, where Edwards worked as a graphics expert, camera operator, and “jack-of-all-trades,” announced that he died on Tuesday following a long illness, just a day before his birthday. Edwards passed away at his home in New Bern, North Carolina.
Edwards’ journey to becoming the voice of AOL was unexpected. In 1989, Quantum Computer Services—later known as AOL—was searching for a voice actor for its new software. Edwards learned about the opportunity through his wife, who worked at the company. From his living room, Edwards recorded phrases like “Welcome,” “You’ve got mail!,” “Files done,” and “Goodbye” on a cassette, for which he was paid $200.
His friendly voice became a hallmark of the early internet era, often greeting AOL users and introducing them to email.
AOL praised Edwards’ contribution, stating that his voice made the internet feel more inviting at a time when it was still unfamiliar territory for many people.
AOL’s prominence eventually declined in the early 2000s due to challenges like its merger with Time Warner and the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Edwards later relocated to Ohio and joined WKYC’s 3News in 2002, where he worked until retiring in 2016.
His voice continued to be featured in media, including the 1998 film You’ve Got Mail, and in 2015, Edwards appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to deliver his famous line once more, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.
