Don Pardo

Of the many changes in store for the 40th season of 'SNL,' none would prove so heartbreaking as the loss of beloved announcer Don Pardo, who passed away earlier this year. No one could ever replace Pardo's distinct intonation announcing every 'SNL' installment, though the new voice of the sketch comedy series will at least be a familiar one, as distinguished alum Darrell Hammond takes the mic.

The voice that introduced the cast of "Saturday Night Live" for nearly four decades has gone silent. NBC officials confimred that legendary announcer Don Pardo passed away Monday at the age of 96. The cause of death was not immediately available...