Lawrence Tanter, the legendary public address announcer whose voice served as the soundtrack to Los Angeles Lakers basketball for more than four decades, has died. He was 76.
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The Lakers announced Tanter's death Wednesday night. A cause was not disclosed.
"For 43 years, LT's voice served as the soundtrack to Lakers games at the arena," the team wrote. "He will be remembered as a cherished member of the Lakers family."
Tanter became the Lakers' public address announcer before the 1982-83 season. His unmistakable baritone carried fans from the Showtime era of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar through the Kobe Bryant years and into the LeBron James era.
The Chicago native worked during 10 of the franchise's NBA championship seasons and 16 Western Conference title runs.
Tanter suffered a stroke in March and missed the Lakers' final six home games and the playoffs. He retired in June before accepting a role as a special adviser for game presentation.
Fans knew Tanter for signature calls such as his drawn-out introduction of "Koooobe Bryant," the two-minute warning late in quarters and "too many steps" following traveling violations.
He also provided the arena soundtrack for historic moments. After Bryant scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, Tanter advised fans to save their ticket stubs from the unforgettable night.
Following Bryant's death in 2020, Tanter introduced all five Lakers starters as Kobe during an emotional pregame ceremony.
Away from basketball, Tanter enjoyed a long career as a jazz radio host in Los Angeles.
Former Lakers center Mychal Thompson called for the team to honor Tanter by wearing an "LT" patch during the upcoming season.
