Emily Carter
Chick Hearn, the legendary broadcaster for the Los Angeles Lakers, died on August 5, 2002, at the age of 85. Hearn was known for his rapid-fire, staccato broadcasting style and colourful commentary, which included popularising phrases like slam dunk and air ball. He had a profound impact on basketball and broadcasting, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and its fans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age | 85 years old |
| Date of death | 5 August 2002 |
| Date of birth | 27 November 1916 |
| Place of death | Northridge Medical Center Hospital, Northridge, California, USA |
| Reason for death | Injuries suffered in a fall |
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What You'll Learn
Chick Hearn's career
Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn was an American sportscaster best known as the play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Hearn was born in Buda, Illinois, and grew up in Aurora, Illinois, attending Marmion Academy for high school and Bradley University for college. He earned the nickname "Chick" while playing basketball at Bradley University, when teammates played a prank on him by giving him a box containing a chicken instead of the sneakers he expected.
Hearn's career as a broadcaster for the Lakers began in March 1961, and he quickly became a fixture as the 'Voice of the Lakers'. His rapid-fire, staccato broadcasting style and colourful expressions made him a legend in his profession. Hearn is credited with popularising basketball terms such as "slam dunk", "air ball", "triple-double", "finger roll", "dribble drive", and "no harm, no foul". He also coined the phrase "boo-birds" to describe fans who booed their own team when they played badly. Hearn's passion and love for the game and its players, combined with his unique commentary style, catapulted him to the highest level of broadcasting success.
Hearn's dedication to his craft was remarkable. During his 42-year career, he only missed two Lakers games before the end of 2001, one of which was due to being stranded in Fayetteville, Arkansas, after announcing a college football game. Hearn even worked through illness, powering through laryngitis on a couple of occasions.
Hearn's impact extended beyond the Lakers. He was the first broadcaster inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003, and he was also voted into the American Sportscaster Hall of Fame by his peers in 1995. Hearn's influence on the sport and its fans was summed up by NBA commissioner David Stern: "Generations of fans were brought to the NBA by the voice and vision of Chick Hearn... His colourful descriptions of the game transcended the sport and have had an indelible influence on basketball and broadcasting itself."
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His death
Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn, the legendary broadcaster for the Los Angeles Lakers, died on August 5, 2002, at the age of 85. Hearn had suffered a fall at his home in Encino, California, on August 2, 2002, hitting his head and lapsing into a coma. Despite undergoing two surgeries to relieve brain swelling, he never regained consciousness and passed away at Northridge Medical Center Hospital.
Hearn's death left an indelible mark on the world of basketball and broadcasting. He was renowned for his rapid-fire, staccato broadcasting style and his colourful expressions, such as "slam dunk," "air ball," and "no harm, no foul," which became ingrained in basketball's vocabulary. His influence extended beyond the game, with NBA commissioner David Stern crediting Hearn for bringing generations of fans to the NBA.
During his 42-year broadcasting career, Hearn broadcast 3,338 consecutive Lakers games, a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport. He was not just a broadcaster but also a comforting voice to fans during challenging times, such as Magic Johnson's HIV announcement in 1991 and the death of Loyola Marymount star Hank Gathers in 1990.
The impact of Hearn's death was felt across the NBA and the wider sports industry. Laker owner Jerry Buss expressed profound sorrow, acknowledging Hearn's indispensable role in the popularity of NBA basketball in Los Angeles. Hearn's unique style and memorable expressions revolutionised basketball play-by-play, leaving an enduring legacy that earned him a place in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the hearts of fans, players, and organisations.
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Personal life
Chick Hearn, born Francis Dayle Hearn, was 85 when he died on August 5, 2002. Hearn was born in Buda, Illinois, on November 27, 1916, and grew up in Aurora, Illinois, near Chicago. He attended Marmion Academy for high school and Bradley University for college.
Hearn earned the nickname "Chick" while playing basketball as an Amateur Athletic Union member at Bradley University. His teammates played a prank on him by giving him a shoebox, which he thought contained sneakers, but instead had a dead chicken inside. Hearn was a talented athlete, but a car accident ended his semi-pro basketball career in the 1930s.
Hearn served in the Army in the South Pacific during World War II. After the war, he became a sportscaster in Aurora and Peoria, Illinois. In 1956, he moved to Los Angeles to cover college football and basketball for CBS radio and NBC television. Hearn was married to Marge Hearn, who shared his passion for basketball and supported him throughout his career. They were married on August 13, 1938, and had two children, a son, Gary, and a daughter, Samantha, both of whom predeceased their parents. The Hearns were also close with their granddaughter, Shannon.
Hearn was the play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association for 41 years. He is remembered for his rapid-fire, staccato broadcasting style and for inventing colourful phrases such as "slam dunk", "air ball", and "no harm, no foul", which have become common basketball vernacular. Hearn's influence on the sport was such that he was the first broadcaster inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
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Honours and legacy
Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn, the legendary broadcaster for the Los Angeles Lakers, left a lasting legacy in the world of basketball and beyond. Hearn's rapid-fire, staccato broadcasting style and colourful commentary captivated fans for 42 years, and he is credited with coining numerous basketball phrases that have become part of the sport's vernacular, including "slam dunk", "air ball", and "no harm, no foul".
Hearn's impact extended beyond the basketball court, as he is remembered for his contributions to Hollywood and popular culture. He appeared on television shows such as "Gilligan's Island: Splashdown" and had a street named after him in Los Angeles, "Chick Hearn Court". Hearn also received numerous honours and awards throughout his career. He was the first broadcaster inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 and was voted into the American Sportscaster Hall of Fame by his peers in 1995. He received the Gowdy Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991 and was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in 1997. Hearn was further honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6755 Hollywood Boulevard, solidifying his impact on both sports and entertainment.
Hearn's legacy is also evident in the numerous tributes and memorials that followed his death. NBA greats such as Magic Johnson and Jerry West spoke of his impact on the sport and the city of Los Angeles, with West stating, "The City of Los Angeles has lost an incredible icon." Hearn's distinctive voice and commentary style resonated with fans, players, and organisations, and he is fondly remembered as the "Voice of the Lakers" and a true legend in his profession.
Hearn's influence extended beyond his broadcasting career. He was known for his mentorship of Pat Riley, a member of the Lakers team who later became the team's coach. Riley credited Hearn with teaching him about discipline, highlighting Hearn's impact on his career both on and off the court. Hearn's mentorship and guidance left a lasting impact on those he worked with, further adding to his enduring legacy.
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His influence on basketball
Chick Hearn was 85 years old when he died on August 5, 2002. Hearn was an American sportscaster and is best known for being the play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association for 41 years.
Chick Hearn had an indelible influence on basketball and broadcasting. He is credited with creating a glossary of broadcasting buzzwords, known as "Chickisms", which were colourful and idiosyncratic expressions that made the game more entertaining for the fans. These included phrases such as "on him like a postage stamp", "the mustard's off the hot dog", "slam dunk", "air ball", and "no harm, no foul". Many of these "Chickisms" have become staples of basketball vernacular and are still used today. Hearn's rapid-fire, staccato broadcasting style was unique and helped to revolutionize basketball play-by-play.
Hearn's impact extended beyond just the language of basketball. He was a comforting voice to fans in difficult times, helping them cope with Johnson's HIV announcement in 1991 and the death of Loyola Marymount star Hank Gathers in 1990. When the Lakers moved to the Staples Center in 1999, the press room was named in Hearn's honour, and he was the master of ceremonies during victory celebrations and other important events for the team.
Hearn was also known for his dedication to his craft, refusing to call in sick and only missing a handful of games during his 42-year broadcasting career with the Lakers. This included broadcasting 3,338 consecutive Lakers games starting on November 21, 1965. His passion and love for the game and its players, combined with his unique broadcasting style, earned him the admiration of fans, players, and organizations, with many considering him the "Voice of the Lakers" and a legend in his profession.
Chick Hearn's influence on basketball is undeniable, and his legacy continues to be celebrated by the basketball community and beyond.
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Frequently asked questions
Chick Hearn was 85 when he died on August 5, 2002.
Chick Hearn suffered a fall at his home in Encino, California, on August 2, 2002, hitting his head and immediately lapsing into a coma. He died at Northridge Medical Center Hospital on August 5, 2002, without regaining consciousness.
Chick Hearn was the play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association for 41 years. He was known for his rapid-fire, staccato broadcasting style and his colourful phrases, such as "slam dunk", "air ball", and "no harm, no foul".
Chick Hearn left his legacy on Hollywood's Walk of Fame and in the hearts of many fans, players, and organisations. He is credited with helping to popularise basketball in Southern California and was the first broadcaster inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.
