Legendary Lakers announcer Lawrence Tanter, voice of team for over 40 years, dies at 76

The Los Angeles Lakers' voice for over four decades as its public announcer, Lawrence Tanter, died on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

The franchise released a statement, confirming the death of their most beloved public announcer, that reads, “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.”

Tanter, “the voice of the Lakers” for 43 years, was 76.

Tanter was widely recognised for his melodic, low-pitched voice. Tanter went on to become the voice of the Los Angeles Lakers for more than four decades.

Tanter’s voice told the story of the several great eras of Lakers basketball, from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James and now Luka Doncic.

Tanter joined the Lakers in 1982 when the franchise played in the Forum, which had been their home arena from 1967 to 1999.

The Los Angeles Lakers reached 15 finals appearances and won nine championships during Tanter’s tenure on the mic.

Tanter stepped aside from his courtside duties after suffering a cardiac arrest in March this year.

His buzzworthy catchphrases, ”toooo many steps,” “Kobeee Bryant," and “Lllaker Girlsss”, were some of his calls that didn’t feel flashy or exaggerated, becoming the soundtrack of a franchise that came to define old-school Hollywood glamour.