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Francis Dayle Chick Hearn, born in 1916, was an American sportscaster known for his rapid-fire broadcasting style. Hearn was the play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association for 41 years. Hearn's career was illustrious, and he is credited with coining popular basketball terms such as slam dunk, air ball, and no harm, no foul. Outside of sports, Hearn also pursued acting, with appearances in television shows and movies. Hearn's impact on the world of sports broadcasting earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and he is remembered as a legend in his profession.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Francis Dayle Hearn |
| Nickname | Chick |
| Profession | American Sportscaster |
| Known For | Broadcasting for Los Angeles Lakers |
| Broadcasting Years | 1960/1961-2002 |
| Broadcasting Style | Rapid-fire, Staccato |
| Catchphrases | Slam dunk, air ball, no harm, no foul |
| Number of Consecutive Games | 3,338 |
| Awards | Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, American Sportscaster Hall of Fame, Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame |
| Death | August 5, 2002 |
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Francis Dayle Hearn's career
Born on November 27, 1916, in Buda, Illinois, Francis Dayle Hearn, better known as "Chick" Hearn, was an American sportscaster. He was the play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association for over 40 years, from 1960 until his death in 2002. Hearn joined the Lakers in 1961 when the franchise moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, and he quickly became one of the most recognisable voices in Los Angeles. Known for his witty comments, rapid-fire broadcasting style, and lightning-quick reactions to the play on the court, Hearn served as both cheerleader and critic for the Lakers.
Hearn is credited with coining several sporting terms that have become common basketball vernacular, including "slam dunk", "air ball", and "no harm, no foul". He also started the now-common tradition of estimating the distance of shots taken. Hearn's broadcasting career with the Lakers began on November 21, 1965, and he went on to broadcast a record-breaking streak of 3,338 consecutive games, only ending when he needed surgery in 2001. During his career, Hearn also served as the Lakers' assistant general manager for seven years, beginning in 1972.
Hearn's unique broadcasting style and colourful phrases made him a beloved figure among fans. He was known for his catchphrases, such as "You can put this one in the refrigerator. The door's closed, the lights are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter's getting hard, and the Jell-O is jiggling" when he believed a Lakers victory was certain. Hearn's impact extended beyond the basketball court, as he also lent his voice to other projects, including a cameo in the Pink Floyd album "The Wall" and a rap single called "Rap-Around" in 1986.
Throughout his illustrious career, Hearn received numerous honours and accolades. He was named California Sportscaster of the Year nine times, received the Cable Ace Award for play-by-play, and won a Golden Mike Award. In 1991, he became the third broadcaster to win the Gowdy Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and he was later inducted into the Hall in 2003. Hearn was also voted into the American Sportscaster Hall of Fame by his fellow sportscasters in 1995 and was honoured by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in 1997.
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Nickname origin
Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn, born on November 27, 1916, in Buda, Illinois, was an American sportscaster best known as the announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers. Hearn earned the nickname "Chick" while playing basketball for the Amateur Athletic Union at Bradley University. His teammates played a prank on him by giving him a shoebox, claiming it contained sneakers. However, when Hearn opened the box, he found a dead chicken inside.
Hearn's career as a sportscaster spanned several decades, and he became renowned for his rapid-fire, staccato broadcasting style. He is credited with coining numerous colourful phrases that have become part of basketball's vernacular, including "slam dunk," "air ball," and "no harm, no foul." Hearn's impact extended beyond just broadcasting; he also started the now-common tradition of estimating the distance of shots taken during games.
Hearn's talent and passion for the game were recognised and celebrated during his lifetime. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, becoming the first broadcaster to receive this honour. Additionally, he was voted into the American Sportscaster Hall of Fame by his peers and was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame. Hearn's legacy is further immortalised with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and he has been referred to as the "Voice of the Lakers" by NBA commissioner David Stern.
Hearn's broadcasting streak of 3,338 consecutive Lakers games began on November 21, 1965, and continued until midway through the 2001-2002 season when he underwent cardiac bypass surgery. Sadly, Hearn passed away on August 5, 2002, at the age of 85, following a fall at his home in California that caused a serious head injury. Despite his death, his impact on the world of basketball and broadcasting remains enduring.
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Awards and honours
Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn was an American sportscaster and announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Hearn's rapid-fire broadcasting style and colourful phrases made him a legendary figure in the NBA. Hearn's career and contributions have been recognised with numerous awards and honours.
Hearn was the first broadcaster inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 2003. He was the third broadcaster overall to be inducted, receiving the honour on May 9, 1991. Hearn was also voted into the American Sportscaster Hall of Fame by his peers, becoming the 20th member of that prestigious group. Additionally, he was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in 1997.
Hearn's impact on the sport and broadcasting was recognised with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is one of only three announcers to receive this honour, immortalising his legacy in Hollywood alongside Vin Scully and Bob Miller. Hearn's contributions to the Lakers and the city of Los Angeles were further acknowledged with a street named after him and a light rail station.
Hearn's broadcasting talent was also recognised outside of basketball. He was the play-by-play announcer for the 1992 Summer Olympics and other sports events. Additionally, he was the long-time host of "Bowling for Dollars." Hearn's voice even appeared on the Pink Floyd album "The Wall," showcasing his cultural impact beyond the world of sports.
In recognition of his dedication to the Lakers, the team and the city of Los Angeles renamed a portion of West 11th Street in his honour. The press room at the Staples Center, the Lakers' home arena, was also named after Hearn in 1999. Hearn's jersey was retired and hangs in the rafters alongside Laker greats, a rare honour for a broadcaster.
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Personal life
Born Francis Dayle Hearn, Chick Hearn was raised in Aurora, Illinois, and went to high school at Marmion Academy. He earned the nickname "Chick" while playing basketball at Bradley University, when his teammates played a prank on him, giving him a shoebox with a dead chicken inside.
Hearn married Marge Hearn on August 13, 1938. The couple shared a passion for basketball, and Marge supported Chick's career. They had two children, a son, Gary, and a daughter, Samantha, also known as Janice, both of whom died prematurely. Their son died of a drug overdose, and their daughter of anorexia. Hearn's granddaughter, Shannon, was especially close to her grandparents.
Hearn had a versatile career before becoming a legendary broadcaster. He tried his hand at acting, with appearances in television shows like Gilligan's Island: Splashdown (1967) and The Simpsons, as well as movies including The Love Bug (1968), Fletch (1985), White Men Can't Jump (1992), and Love and Basketball (2000). Hearn moved to Los Angeles in 1956 and worked in radio and television for various sports before landing his dream job with the Lakers in 1960.
In 2002, Hearn suffered a fall at his home in Encino, California, which led to a serious head injury. He underwent surgery but never regained consciousness and died on August 5, 2002, at the age of 85. He was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California, alongside his son and daughter.
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Death
Hearn's career as a sportscaster spanned four decades, and he is remembered for his rapid-fire, staccato broadcasting style and colourful phrases that have become part of basketball's vernacular. His passion for the game and its players elevated him to the highest echelons of broadcasting success and endeared him to fans and players alike.
However, Hearn's life was not without tragedy. He and his wife, Marge, lost their two children at an early age. Their son passed away due to a drug overdose, while their daughter succumbed to anorexia. Despite these personal setbacks, Hearn persevered and continued to share his love for the game with the world.
Sadly, in the summer of 2002, Hearn suffered a fall at his home in Encino, California, striking his head and causing a serious injury. He lapsed into a coma and, despite surgeons' efforts, never regained consciousness. Hearn died three days later, on August 5, at the age of 85.
Hearn's death marked the end of a remarkable era in sports broadcasting. His legacy lives on through his innovative phrases, his impact on the language of basketball, and the countless fans he brought to the game. His contributions were recognised with numerous honours, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and various streets and stations named after him.
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Frequently asked questions
Chick Hearn's full name was Francis Dayle Hearn.
Chick Hearn was the play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. He was known for his rapid-fire broadcasting style and for coining phrases such as "slam dunk", "air ball", and "no harm, no foul". Hearn also had a career as an actor, appearing in movies such as "The Love Bug" and "Fletch".
Chick Hearn passed away on August 5, 2002, at the age of 85 after suffering a fall at his home in California and striking his head.
