Gerald Hatten “Jerry” Buss (January 27, 1933 – February 18, 2013) was an American businessman, real estate investor, and a former chemist. He was the majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers professional basketball team along with other professional sports franchises in Southern California. Announced as a member of the 2010 induction class of the Basketball Hall of Fame on April 5, 2010, he was formally enshrined as a contributor to the sport on August 13 of that same year.