Early Life and Education

Elwood Edwards was an American voice actor. He was best known as the voice of various soundmarks for the Internet service provider America Online, which he first recorded in 1989.

This included AOL’s trademark “You’ve got mail” greeting. Edwards was born on November 6, 1949, in Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S.

He grew up primarily in North Carolina, first in Beaufort and then in New Bern. Edwards graduated from New Bern High School in 1967.

Career Beginnings

Elwood Edwards was fond of radios. While he was in high school, Edwards started in radio. After high school, Edwards progressed to television, where he worked as a live booth announcer.

He also worked on-air on a car commercial, reporting news or sports, and a short stint as a weatherman.

Voice Acting Career

Edwards’ main focus was on off-camera work, with work ranging from graphics to operating cameras. He later worked at WKYC in Cleveland, until his retirement in 2016.

In 1989, Edwards was recommended by his wife, who worked for an online service Q-Link, for a voice-over.

In October, his voice premiered on AOL’s new program. His greetings include “Welcome”, “You’ve got mail”, “You’ve got pictures”, “You’ve got voicemail”, “File’s done”, and “Goodbye”, all recorded in his own living room on a cassette deck.

Appearances and Legacy

Edwards’ voice also appeared in a 2000 episode of The Simpsons, “Little Big Mom”, and in advertising for the 1998 film You’ve Got Mail. He also appeared on an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Edwards’ last appearance was on a television ad for the e-commerce platform Shopify, in which he announced “You’ve got sales” to sellers on the platform.

Personal Life

Edwards married Betsy Fulcher. They had two children together before they divorced. He later married Karren Adams, which also ended in divorce. Edwards was a Baptist and was a minister at one point.

Death

Edwards died of complications from a stroke at his home in New Bern, North Carolina, on November 5, 2024, at age 74.