Lakers Announcer Lawrence Tanter Dies at 76

Lawrence Tanter, the longtime public-address announcer whose voice accompanied Los Angeles Lakers games for 43 years, has died at 76, the team announced Wednesday. Tanter had retired from his game-day role in June after a March stroke forced him to miss the final six home games of the season and the playoffs. The Lakers said in a statement that Tanter’s voice had served as the soundtrack to games for 43 years and described him as a cherished member of the organization. The reports did not provide a cause or circumstances of his death. Jeanie Buss, the Lakers’ governor, paid tribute to Tanter in a post on X, calling him “a true original” who added his unique style to the Showtime era. Players and fans remembered his signature announcements, including his elongated introduction of the Laker Girls. Tanter joined the Lakers in 1982 and worked through several generations of the franchise, from the Showtime era to teams featuring Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James and Luka Dončić. His measured delivery became a familiar part of the team’s home-game presentation over more than four decades.