Originally published by LakersNation.com
The Los Angeles Lakers announced that legendary public address announcer Lawrence Tanter has passed away at the age of 76.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of legendary Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter. For 43 years, LT’s voice served as the soundtrack to Lakers games at the arena. He will be remembered as a cherished member of the Lakers family,” the team said in a statement accompanied by a graphic memorializing Tanter.
Lawrence Tanter, forever in our hearts as a member of the Lakers family
pic.twitter.com/IOmRECqu8m — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 24, 2026
Tanter was born in Chicago and played basketball, earning an athletic scholarship at the University of Dubuque. Despite begin 6-foot-7, his calling card was talking into a microphone as he began his career in radio. He eventually was hired by the Lakers in 1982, spending the final 43 years of his life as the public address announcer for the purple and gold.
Tanter didn’t miss any games from 1997 through April 2018, being a consistent presence for Laker fans through the ups and downs.
His one-of-a-kind voice made him the perfect public address announcer for the Showtime era, and all the way through the Three-peat era, Kobe Bryant’s final two championships and historic career finale, and even the entire LeBron James era.
During his tenure manning the microphone at both the Forum and Crpyto.com Arena, Tanter saw the Lakers win 16 NBA Western Conference titles and 10 NBA championships.
Outside of basketball, Tanter was known for his affinity for jazz music. He was a disc jockey for various jazz stations in Los Angeles for over three decades.
Lawrence Tanter retired after 2025-26 season
Tanter missed the final six games regular season and playoffs due to health reasons and earlier this summer, the Lakers announced that he had retired from his role as public address announcer and would be transitioning to an advisor role focusing on game presentation.
“Lawrence Tanter has been an integral part of the Lakers gameday experience for more than four decades, setting the tone for countless memorable moments with his professionalism, energy and signature booming voice,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement at the time.
“Since the 1980s, LT has narrated every chapter of Lakers basketball, connecting generations of fans, players, coaches and staff while becoming a trusted and unforgettable part of the Lakers experience. I am incredibly grateful for everything he has given to this franchise.”
Tanter will forever be known as the voice of Lakers basketball, and he surely will be missed at Crypto.com Arena.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.
The Los Angeles Lakers announced that legendary public address announcer Lawrence Tanter has passed away at the age of 76.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of legendary Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter. For 43 years, LT’s voice served as the soundtrack to Lakers games at the arena. He will be remembered as a cherished member of the Lakers family,” the team said in a statement accompanied by a graphic memorializing Tanter.
Lawrence Tanter, forever in our hearts as a member of the Lakers family
pic.twitter.com/IOmRECqu8m — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 24, 2026
Tanter was born in Chicago and played basketball, earning an athletic scholarship at the University of Dubuque. Despite begin 6-foot-7, his calling card was talking into a microphone as he began his career in radio. He eventually was hired by the Lakers in 1982, spending the final 43 years of his life as the public address announcer for the purple and gold.
Tanter didn’t miss any games from 1997 through April 2018, being a consistent presence for Laker fans through the ups and downs.
His one-of-a-kind voice made him the perfect public address announcer for the Showtime era, and all the way through the Three-peat era, Kobe Bryant’s final two championships and historic career finale, and even the entire LeBron James era.
During his tenure manning the microphone at both the Forum and Crpyto.com Arena, Tanter saw the Lakers win 16 NBA Western Conference titles and 10 NBA championships.
Outside of basketball, Tanter was known for his affinity for jazz music. He was a disc jockey for various jazz stations in Los Angeles for over three decades.
Lawrence Tanter retired after 2025-26 season
Tanter missed the final six games regular season and playoffs due to health reasons and earlier this summer, the Lakers announced that he had retired from his role as public address announcer and would be transitioning to an advisor role focusing on game presentation.
“Lawrence Tanter has been an integral part of the Lakers gameday experience for more than four decades, setting the tone for countless memorable moments with his professionalism, energy and signature booming voice,” Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement at the time.
“Since the 1980s, LT has narrated every chapter of Lakers basketball, connecting generations of fans, players, coaches and staff while becoming a trusted and unforgettable part of the Lakers experience. I am incredibly grateful for everything he has given to this franchise.”
Tanter will forever be known as the voice of Lakers basketball, and he surely will be missed at Crypto.com Arena.
If you love our reporting, choose LakersNation.com as a preferred source on Google.