• Home
  • News
  • Coins2Day 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechGlobal 500

You’ll Never Guess the ‘You’ve Got Mail’ Guy’s Job

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
November 8, 2016, 1:21 PM ET
AOL
AOL's home page is shown on a computer screen Friday, Aug. 4, 2006 in New York. AOL will shed as many as 5,000 employees, a quarter of its global work force, within six months as the company seeks more than $1 billion in savings to offset its decision to give more services away for free. That decision, analysts say, may not be enough to draw new visitors. Key to AOL's success will be how well it taps its strengths in video and instant messaging. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)Mark Lennihan—AP

An Internet legend is driving for Uber.

This past weekend, Brandee Barker, co-founder of public relations firm The Pramana Collective, hailed an Uber in Cleveland and ultimately realized it wasn’t a typical ride. Her driver was none other than Elwood Edwards, the voice-over actor who was is responsible for AOL’s iconic “You’ve Got Mail” chime in the 1990s.

In an interview with tech news site The Verge, Barker said Edwards is the news editor for WKYC-TV, a news station in Ohio. Barker said she assumed he was an Uber driver on the side to “meet and talk with people.”

Get Data Sheet, Coins2Day’s technology newsletter

Edwards is also an Internet icon. In 1989, his wife was working in customer service at online company Q-Link, the precursor to AOL, and overheard former chief executive Steve Case say he needed a voice-over actor for something he was working on. Edwards’ wife volunteered her husband for the role, which in addition “You’ve got mail,” included being recorded saying “Welcome” and “Goodbye.” His clips, recorded in his home, were ultimately heard by millions of people. AOL has since largely retired them, but the chimes still available to check out on Internet archive sites and on countless YouTube videos.

Over the last several years, Edwards has worked in the news industry, and last year appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to read comedic phrases that the late-night host and his fellow writers cooked up.

OMG OMG my @Uber driver in Ohio was the You've Got Mail voice Elwood Edwards!!! I made him say it in this video #GOTVforHRCpic.twitter.com/Jgcl7v040D

— Brandee Barker (@brandee) November 5, 2016

According to Barker, Edwards said during their ride that he was paid $200 for the AOL voice over.

For more about Uber, watch:

Now, he’s making a little extra cash driving Uber passengers. And AOL has been acquired by Verizon.

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Coins2Day 500
  • Global 500
  • Coins2Day 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Coins2Day Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Coins2Day Brand Studio
  • Coins2Day Analytics
  • Coins2Day Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Coins2Day
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Coins2Day Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Coins2Day Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.