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Jerry Springer dies aged 79: Legendary talk show host passes away ‘peacefully’ at Chicago home months after being diagnosed with cancer – as family says ‘he’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely’
- Springer was diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year but ‘took a turn for the worse’ in the past week
- The iconic TV host captured America’s screens with his wild show, which often had outrageous guests fighting
Jerry Springer has died aged 79 just months after being diagnosed with cancer, his family revealed on Thursday.
The legendary TV host passed away ‘peacefully’ at his home in Chicago after his health took a turn for the worse, a spokesman for his relatives said.
Family spokesman Jene Galvin said: ‘Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word.
‘He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.’
Jerry hosted the smash hit ‘The Jerry Springer Show’ for 27 years, becoming America’s guilty pleasure wild and raucous TV moments.
A statement from his family confirmed that he passed away ‘peacefully’ at his home in Chicago after being diagnosed with cancer
His audience would cheer his name, as his outrageous guests would get into crazy fights – with many expletive-filled rants being bleeped out.
Springer called it ‘escapist entertainment,’ while others saw the show as contributing to a dumbing-down decline in American social values.
He often told people, tongue in cheek, that his wish for them was ‘may you never be on my show.’
Before becoming an iconic TV personality, the worldwide sensation ran a failed campaign for US Congress in 1970
He was then elected to Cincinnati’s City Council in 1971, before becoming mayor of the city in 1977 and serving for one term.
Springer became a news anchor and commentator at WLWT in the Ohio city before taking on a new role as a talk show host in 1991 when he launched his iconic series.
His show was so popular in the 90’s that he even managed to top Oprah Winfrey’s program in several cities.
The show went off the air in 2018, but Springer then created his courtroom show, ‘Judge Jerry,’ which ran for three seasons.
Springer called it ‘escapist entertainment,’ while others saw the show as contributing to a dumbing-down decline in American social values
His audience would cheer his name, as his outrageous guests would get into crazy fights – with many expletive-filled rants being bleeped out
Springer married Micki Velton in 1974 and the couple had a daughter together before splitting in 1994
His final TV appearance came on last season’s The Masked Singer, performing as ‘The Beetle’ to sing a Frank Sinatra Classic.
Springer is survived by his daughter Katie, who he had with Micki Velton, and sister Evelyn.
