Legendary and longtime talk show host, Jerry Springer is dead.
He died in his home in Chicago, Illinois on April 27 at the age of 79.
“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,” said Jene Galvin, a lifelong friend and spokesman for the family in a statement.
“He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.”
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the TV host revealed what he would put on his tombstone, “I know what I’m going to put on my tombstone,” Springer told ET at the time. “‘I won’t be right back.’”
Springer’s daytime talk show The Jerry Springer Show ran for 27 years. The controversial TV show often showed huge brawls on stage while the audience chanted “Jerry, Jerry, Jerry” during the intro.
After the show ended, he started another show Judge Jerry that ran from 2019 to 2022, and his final TV appearance was on The Masked Singer in 2022.
Springer is survived by his daughter, Katie Springer, and his sister, Evelyn.
How did Jerry Springer die?
According to Jene Galvin and TMZ, Jerry Springer died from his brief illness of pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed with the disease months before his death.
Before his famed talk show that mostly entailed fights and controversy, Springer was a lawyer and politician in Cincinnati, Ohio where he joined the city council in 1971 and became the city’s mayor in 1977.
He served one term after admitting he solicited a sex worker. He gave a statement, “It is with deep personal regret that I am announcing today my resignation from City Council. I understand what I am giving up, an enormous opportunity to share in the leadership of this great city.
However, very personal family considerations necessitate this action. My family must and does come before my own personal career. Thank you all for all you have given me. I hope I have offered something positive in return.”
He later attempted to run for Ohio’s gubernatorial race in 1982 but lost to Richard Celeste.
