Tom Larson (sportscaster)
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Tom Larson | |
---|---|
Born | Lanny Lee Larason January 30, 1939 Webster Groves, Missouri, United States |
Died | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist. Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Sportscaster |
Years active | 1960–2007 |
Known for | Boston Bruins broadcasts on WSBK-TV and NESN |
Lanny Lee Larason, known professionally as Tom Larson (January 30, 1939 – November 22, 2023)[1], was an American sportscaster and television host who worked in Boston from 1969 to 2007 and was the longtime host of Boston Bruins broadcasts on WSBK-TV and NESN.
Early years
Larason was born and raised in Webster Groves, Missouri, where one of his friends was another future sportscaster, Skip Caray.[2][3] He began his broadcasting career in 1960 as a junior at Westminster College. After college, Larason worked in Bloomington, Illinois, Peoria, Illinois, and Lansing, Michigan.[4]
Career in Boston
In 1969, he was hired by WSBK-TV general manager Bill Flynn, who was looking for someone with a background in sports who could also host a public affairs talk show. Upon moving to Boston, Larason adopted the name "Tom Larson".[2] During his tenure at WSBK, Larson hosted a daily talk show, hosted the post-game shows for the Boston Bruins and the Boston Red Sox, and served as the station's public affairs director.[4] In 1985, Larson was replaced on Bruins games by Sean McDonough.[5]
From 1981 to 1988, Larson was also the sports director at WHDH radio, doing sports reports during Jess Cain's morning show.[4] In 1983, he was recognized as the best TV sportscaster in Boston, by Boston magazine.[6]
In 1986, Larson joined the New England Sports Network, where he served as the studio host for Red Sox and Bruins games, wrote, produced, and reported for Front Row and a number of special presentations, and was a play-by-play announcer for college and high school sports.[4][7]
Larson retired from broadcasting in 2007. In 1981, Larson had promised to shave his beard if the Bruins won the Stanley Cup; he shaved his beard 30 years later after the Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals.[8][2]
A former resident of Norwell, Massachusetts, Larson spent his later years in Fredericksburg, Virginia.[2][3] He died on November 22, 2023 from complications of cancer.[9]
References
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Further reading
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External links
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- 1939 births
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- Television anchors from Boston
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- People from Norwell, Massachusetts
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