Elwood Edwards, Voice of AOL’s ‘You’ve Got Mail’ Greeting, Dies at 74

Mar. 15, 2025

Elwood Edwards, who voiced the iconic “You’ve Got Mail” message for AOL, has died. He was 74.

Edwards died “following a long illness" on Tuesday, Nov. 5, according to a statement from OhioNBC affiliate WKYC, where he worked for over a decade as a “graphics guru, camera operator, and general jack-of-all-trades.” According to the station, he died one day before his 75th birthday.

In 1989, Edwards recorded four different messages, including the famous “You’ve Got Mail” line, for America Online, better known now as AOL.

“I did that on a cassette deck in my living room,” he toldInside Editionin 2016.

But Edwards said he only received $200 for the job, which he only did because his wife worked for the company at the time.

While still working for WKYC, Edwardsannounced his retirementin early 2014 after 47 years in the business. When he caught up withInside Editiontwo years later,he was driving for Uber in Cleveland, much to the delight of his passengers.

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During his interview withInside Edition, Edwards said that he did not receive residuals for his AOL voice work. However, Edwards once told NBC anchor Brian Williams that he had “a good relationship with AOL,” according toCNBC.

Details surrounding Edwards’ death were not immediately available. PEOPLE has reached out to WKYC for additional information.

source: people.com