Lawrence Tanter Biography And Wiki
Lawrence Tanter, born on October 11, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois, is a well-known American public address announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA. He has been a part of Laker home games since the 1981–82 season. Tanter played basketball in high school and earned a scholarship to the University of Dubuque. While in college, he worked at the college radio station, hosting a Sunday night jazz program. In the 1970s, he worked at radio station KJLH in Los Angeles, where he helped drive their quiet storm format. Tanter became the Lakers’ public address announcer in 1981, holding the longest-tenured position in the team’s history.
Age And Birthday
Lawrence Tanter was born on October 11, 1949, which makes him 75 years old currently. He will turn 76 on October 11, 2025.
Height
Lawrence Tanter stands at 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters) tall.
Education Background
Lawrence Tanter went to the University of Dubuque, where he played basketball as a forward and received an athletic scholarship. In high school and college, he also played the saxophone and clarinet. After graduating, he worked at the college radio station and hosted a Sunday night jazz show.
Nationality
Lawrence Tanter is an American, born in Chicago, Illinois.
Milestones, Significant Contributions, And Notable Works
Milestones:
- Longest Tenured Lakers PA Announcer: Has been the Lakers’ announcer since 1981-1982.
- NBA Championships: Announced during 10 Lakers Championships and 16 Western Conference titles.
Significant Contributions:
- Creating a Home Atmosphere: Helped maintain team spirit in the 2020 NBA Bubble with starting lineup recordings.
- Jazz Radio: Worked as a DJ for KTWV 94.7 The Wave and program director for KKJZ.
Notable Works:
- WWE Guest Ring Announcer: Announced a match at WWE Raw in 2009 at Staples Center.
- Lakers Pre/Post Game Show: Announcer for LTV on KCAL-TV.
Wife and Children
Lawrence Tanter’s personal life remains largely private, with no publicly available information about his wife or children. Most of the details available about him focus on his professional career.
Career
Tanter’s early career began at the University of Dubuque, where he earned an athletic scholarship for basketball. He played as a forward and also developed his musical skills, playing both the saxophone and clarinet. During his time at college, he worked at the campus radio station, gaining experience in broadcasting.
In the 1970s, Tanter moved to Los Angeles and began working at radio station KJLH. He helped shape the station’s quiet storm format, which became highly popular. His role in radio helped him build his career in the entertainment industry, eventually leading him to new opportunities.
Tanter became the public address announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers at the start of the 1981-1982 NBA season. Over the years, he has become a key figure at Lakers’ home games, earning the distinction of being the longest-tenured PA announcer in the team’s history. During his time with the Lakers, he has witnessed the team win 10 NBA Championships and 16 Western Conference titles. His influence extended beyond the regular season, especially during the 2020 NBA Bubble, where he recorded various starting lineup introductions to recreate a home-court atmosphere for the team.
Beyond his Lakers career, Tanter also made significant contributions to the jazz radio scene. He worked as a disc jockey for several jazz stations in Los Angeles, including KTWV 94.7 The Wave. Additionally, he served as the program director for the public jazz station KKJZ. In 2009, Tanter took on a guest role as a WWE ring announcer at a WWE Raw event at the Staples Center. He also contributes to the Lakers’ pre/post game show, LTV, as its announcer on KCAL-TV.
Hobbies And Personal Challenges
Hobbies:
Lawrence Tanter loves jazz music and has played the saxophone and clarinet. He has also worked as a disc jockey for jazz stations in Los Angeles and has a strong interest in radio, having worked at several stations.
Personal Challenges:
Throughout his long career, Tanter has had to adjust to changes in the NBA, such as new arenas, updated game technologies, and the unique challenges of the 2020 NBA Bubble during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Net Worth
Lawrence Tanter’s exact net worth isn’t publicly disclosed. However, he has enjoyed a long and successful career as the public address announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers since 1981. In addition to his tenure with the Lakers, his wealth likely stems from his work as a jazz DJ and his appearances in other media, including a guest role in WWE.
Major Achievements
Major Achievements:
- Longest Serving Lakers PA Announcer: Lawrence Tanter has served as the public address announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers since the 1981-1982 season, holding the record as the longest-serving PA announcer for the team.
- NBA Championships: Throughout his time with the Lakers, the team has secured 10 NBA Championships and 16 Western Conference titles.
- WWE Guest Ring Announcer: In 2009, Tanter was invited to be a guest ring announcer for a WWE Raw event held at the Staples Center.
- 2020 NBA Bubble: Tanter played an important role in recreating a home-court atmosphere during the 2020 NBA Bubble by recording various starting lineup introductions to help maintain team morale.
Follow Lawrence Tanter on social media: Instagram
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