Jerry Springer has died at the age of 79. The legendary talk show host and former Cincinnati mayor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few months ago. He passed away peacefully at home on Thursday morning, his family confirmed.
Prior to becoming the host of his own talk show, Springer served on Cicinnati’s City Council beginning in 1971. He was elected mayor of Cincinnati in 1977, serving one term.
After a failed bid for Ohio governor in the early 1980s, he launched The Jerry Springer Show in 1991. Widely regarded as one of the most well-known talk shows in history, the series ran for 27 seasons, spanning almost 5,000 episodes, before wrapping up in 2018. Episodes often centered on familial and relationship troubles and featured a question-and-answer segment involving audience members.
Springer went on to host The Jerry Springer Podcast, as well as the courtroom show Judge Jerry.
“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,” Jene Galvin, friend and spokesman for the family, shared. “He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.”
