Tom Bodett

Tom Bodett (pronounced "Boh-DETT"; born February 23, 1955 in Champaign, Illinois) is an American author, voice actor and radio host. He is also the current spokesman for the hotel chain Motel 6 and is famous for popularizing the phrase, "We'll leave the light on for ya".

A native of Sturgis, Michigan, Bodett had previously provided commentary for National Public Radio's "All Things Considered", and was a regular columnist for the webzine "Mr. Showbiz". He also did the voiceover for "Mime Time" and the "Good Idea/Bad Idea" segments featuring Mr. Skullhead on "Animaniacs" and a brief cameo in "Pinky and The Brain" as well as narrating the 1999 direct to video Animaniacs movie "Wakko's Wish".

As a broadcaster, Bodett hosted two radio programs. "The End of the Road" from 1988 to 1990 and "Bodett & Company" in 1993. He also hosted the public television program, "Travels on America’s Historic Trails".

He is currently a regular contributor to "The Bob Edwards Show" on XMPR and a member of the stable of panelists on "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!", a National Public Radio news quiz show.

A former resident of Seattle, Washington and Homer, Alaska, he now lives in Vermont.

Bibliography

Bodett's work includes:
* "Norman Tuttle on the Last Frontier" 2004, ISBN 0-679-89031-9
* "Williwaw!" 2000, ISBN 0-375-80687-3
* "America's Historic Trails" 1997, ISBN 0-912333-00-6
* "The Free Fall of Webster Cummings" 1996, ISBN 0-7868-6209-2
* "The Big Garage on Clearshot" 1990, ISBN 0-688-09525-9
* "The End of the Road" 1989, ISBN 0-688-08701-9
* "Small Comforts" 1987, ISBN 0-201-13417-9
* "As Far As You Can Go Without a Passport" 1986, ISBN 0-201-10661-2

External links

* [http://www.bodett.com Tom Bodett's website]
*
* [http://www.motel6.com/about/bodett.asp Motel 6's info on Bodett]
* [http://www.pldminfo.org/Images/avid/tombodett.jpgPhoto of Bodett]
* [http://www.npr.org/programs/waitwait/images/guests/2005/tbodett140.jpgAnother photo of Bodett]
* [http://www.radiotapes.com Radiotapes.com] Featuring an unedited recording Bodett's "The End of the Road" radio show broadcast from the Old Log Theater near Minneapolis in 1989. In addition to the show as it was broadcast nationally, also heard is the interaction and dialog with the audience before the show started and between the segments that radio listeners never heard including retakes, audience instructions, recording of show promo, off-air performances and much more.