Joel Godard (born March 31, 1938 in Baldwin County, Milledgeville, Georgia) is an American television announcer, currently serving as the announcer for Late Night with Conan O'Brien. He is often featured in the show's skits, portraying a fictitious version of himself.
Godard attended Emory University, and graduated in 1960 with a degree in chemistry; he was admitted to their medical school, but instead chose to go into entertainment. Since 1999, Godard has also served as announcer for NBC's annual telecast of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
On Late Night with Conan O'Brien, when he is used in sketches, Godard is a blatantly homosexual "rice queen" type character, that is, with an affinity for young Asian men (preferably wearing Speedos). His character will often pine for "the sweet release of death" and detail how his life is miserable, but he will say all these things in his cheery announcer voice and while flashing a large, open-mouthed smile, his trademark. Sketches also frequently have him committing suicide, usually by hanging. In reality, however, Godard has been married since 1983 and has one child.
