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Chick Hearn
Broadcaster

Chick Hearn

Famoose for

The distinctive play-by-play voice of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Consecutive broadcasts

Born
27 November 1916
Birthplace
Illinois, United States
Died
5 August 2002

More people

Joseph PulitzerBuilding influential newspapers and endowing the Pulitzer Prizes.Conan O’BrienHosting late-night television with absurd sketches and self-deprecating humour.Fred AstaireMaking dance central to Hollywood musicals, especially with Ginger Rogers.

Chick Hearn

American sports broadcaster who called Lakers games for forty-one years. His rapid delivery and colourful expressions became part of basketball culture.

Early life

Illinois upbringing

Grew up in Aurora and attended Marmion Academy and Bradley University. Played amateur basketball as a young man.

Career

  1. 1961

    Lakers broadcasts

    Became the team’s announcer.

  2. 1972

    Team management

    Also began a period as assistant general manager.

  3. 2002

    Final season

    Returned after illness and called the championship-clinching Finals game.

Selected work

Consecutive broadcasts

Called 3,338 Lakers games without a break.

Beyond work

Family

Married Marge in 1938. They had two children, both of whom died before him.

Sources & photo creditBiography and career ↗Biographical references ↗

Original photograph. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.

Photo: The Pat McDermott Company. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.