‘Just an employee’: Lakers fans remember Lawrence Tanter’s humble response whenever he was called a legend after his death

Lawrence Tanter, a legendary public address announcer for the Lakers, died aged 76, the franchise announced on Wednesday night, September 23. “We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of legendary Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter,” the Lakers said in a social media statement.

“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,” the statement further reads.



No cause of death was announced. But ESPN reported, citing a source, that Tanter suffered a stroke in March this year.

He began working as a PA announcer during the Los Angeles Lakers' 1982-83 season. And since then, for more than 40 years, he was the voice that every Laker fan would remember. He retired in June this year.


On social media, some fans got really nostalgic about their memories of hearing him. And they poured a ton of tributes for him there.

“A true original that added his unique style to Showtime,” Lakers governor and co-owner Jeanie Buss said on X. “Rest in peace, LT.”


A X user wrote with a video of his announcement, “Iconic and legendary voice of Lawrence Tanter… Lakers games will never be the same. RIP Legend.”

Another nostalgic Tanter fan shared a video from 2020, “Lawrence Tanter announcing every Laker starter as Kobe.”


One fan wrote, remembering their encounter, “Every single time I would say hello to Lawrence Tanter & would call him a legend. He would always reply the same way. “I don’t know about that” or “Just an employee”. He was just the nicest. I hope he knows how special he was to all of us. RIP”