Owens was a journeyman DJ/announcer throughout the midwest and southern U.S. in the late 1950s, finally ending up at radio station KEWB, Oakland, California in 1959. He moved to its sister station KFWB in Los Angeles. From there, he joined the staff of KMPC in 1962, where he remained for the next two decades working the 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. shift, Monday through Fridays. A gifted punster, Owens became known for his surrealistic humor. Among his trademarks were daily appearances by The Story Lady (played by Joan Gerber), the Rumor of the Day, myriad varieties of "The Nurney Song", and the introduction of the nonsense word "insegrevious", which was briefly included in the Funk and Wagnalls Dictionary.

During this period, Owens became more widely known as the voice of the TV cartoon characters Roger Ramjet and Space Ghost, and perhaps most importantly, as the announcer on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, all the while continuing his show on KMPC. He also hosted the daily game show "Letters to Laugh-In" during its brief run in 1969.

He was also a scriptwriter for Jay Ward Productions and has appeared many series for Walt Disney and has done a few commercials. He was also a guest star on The Munsters and McHale's Navy.

In 1976, Owens hosted the first season of the nighttime version of The Gong Show; he was replaced by the show's creator, Chuck Barris.

Owens has also provided the voice for

Powdered Toast Man of The Ren and Stimpy Show. Captain Squash on Bobby's World Dirk Niblick on PBS's Square One TV Blue Falcon in Dynomutt, Dog Wonder Badly Animated Man in Raw Toonage Commander Ulysses Feral in SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron He has narrated or announced dozens of other cartoons, as well as the fourth and sixth installments of the Space Quest PC game series.

Gary currently hosts a weeknight show on the Music Of Your Life radio network.