Lawrence Tanter, longtime Los Angeles Lakers announcer, dies at 76

Lawrence Tanter, the longtime public address announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers, has passed away at the age of 76. Tanter had been a fixture of the organization since 1982, serving for 43 years before transitioning to an advisory role in June following a stroke in March.

During his tenure, Tanter was part of 10 Lakers championship runs. He was widely recognized for his distinct baritone voice, which announced legendary players including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James.

Numerous Lakers legends and current players shared tributes following the news. Magic Johnson described him as “the sound of the Lakers franchise,” while LeBron James noted that Tanter “made home games SPECIAL.” Other tributes came from Pau Gasol, Jeanie Buss, and Mychal Thompson, highlighting his deep connection to the team and the Los Angeles community.