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It is with deep sadness that we report that our long time friend and AFTRA/SAG member, Betsy Ames, passed away Saturday morning at her home in Oxford, MD. Betsy only recently retired after a successful 40-year career in film, tv and radio. Betsy died of cancer.
A service celebrating Betsy's life will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 11:00am at 105 Oxford Road, Oxford, MD. A private burial will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the National Endowment for the Arts, in the name of Betsy Ames, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 519, Washington, DC 20506. On-line donations can be made at www.nea.gov.
Betsy was an actress and one of the premier freelance voice artists in our area for more than 40 years. The last 20 years she was the exclusive female announcer at WJLA-TV, Channel 7 in Washington, D.C. In addition, Betsy was the promotional voice of Discovery Channel and WETA.
In political voice-overs, Betsy was the preeminent female voice of the Republican party with thousands of political campaigns over the years. Of special note, Betsy was the voice behind presidential campaigns for Bob Dole, John McCain, George W. Bush and Mitt Romney.
Betsy’s commercials were numerous both on camera and off. Her voiceover roles include scores of National Geographic Narrations from “Puffins” to “Rat Wars” to the “Black Widow”.
Her on screen film and tv credits include “Wedding Crashers”, “Pecker” by John Waters, “JFK” and “A Man Named Hawk”.
Betsy was a member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Screen Actors Guild. She served on the AFTRA Executive Board for more than 15 years representing radio and television announcers and hosts. In this role, she attended more than 10 AFTRA Conventions on behalf of the members in the Wash-Balt Local. In her tenure on the Executive Board, Betsy was elected to serve on the National AFTRA Voice-Over Committee representing performers through-out the country. She also gave her time and talent to train and mentor scores of performing artists in the business.
Betsy’s diverse body of work encompassing over 40 years has truly earned her the distinction as “The best damn voice in the business!”
