LA Lakers PA announcer Lawrence Tanter passed away, according to an announcement made by the team on Wednesday.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of legendary Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter,” the team wrote in a statement shared on its social media accounts. “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.”
Just in June, Tanter decided to retire from his post near the court, where he served as a voice for the Lakers ever since the “Showtime” era of the ’80s.
Tanter had a stroke near the end of the regular season, which prevented him from being there for the Lakers’ last six home games and the play-offs, per ESPN.
Last month, just before going into hospice care, Tanter messaged ESPN via text.
“Quote me,” he wrote, “‘It’s been a blessing.'”
Tanter, also fondly referred to as LT by Lakers fans, was the most long-tenured PA announcer that the team had ever seen, and he became known not only for his tenure but for his style of announcing.
Though he possessed a very deep and strong baritone voice and stood tall at six foot seven inches, the approach Tanter used was one that was reserved. He used his smooth tones to announce the Lakers’ starters, subs, fouls, and score of the game.
While working as a DJ at a few jazz radio stations in Los Angeles, Tanter came to work with his hat on his head, which was made up of eight panels and a white goatee on his chin.
His significance became more evident during the Lakers’ last championship run in 2019-20.
As the Lakers took the floor following the passing of Kobe Bryant in January 2020, Tanter announced all five Lakers starters using the exact wording: “6-6, 20th year out of Lower Merion High School, Kob-eeeeee Bryant!”
When the Lakers participated in the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida, and ultimately claimed the championship, Tanter recorded introductions at his own studio located in the Porter Ranch neighborhood of Los Angeles, which would then be broadcasted at the Lakers games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Born and raised in Chicago, Tanter played forward on his high school basketball team and was awarded a scholarship to play for the University of Dubuque in Iowa.
Ultimately, he had been a part of 10 championships with the Lakers and 16 Western Conference titles.
