Talk show host Jerry Springer dead at 79

Jerry Springer, host of one of television’s most controversial shows and America’s most-watched guilty pleasures, has died. He was 79.

The TV personality died peacefully Thursday night at his home in suburban Chicago, according to a statement from his family.

“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, a lifelong friend and spokesman for the family, told the network.

“He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.”

Comedian Loni Love echoed the sentiment, praising Springer’s way with people as “unique and authentic,” while television personality Maury Povich remembered him as “joyful, smart and, in his own way, a unique showman.”

A family spokesperson told TMZ Springer had been battling a “brief illness” for a few months and things took a turn for the worst earlier this week. Sources told the outlet it was pancreatic cancer.

Springer was born Feb. 13, 1944, in a London underground railway station that was being used as a bomb shelter. His parents, Richard and Margot, were German Jews who fled to England during the Holocaust and then landed in the Queens borough of New York City when Springer was just 5 years old.

Springer would go on to host the raucous talk show “The Jerry Springer Show” for 27 years, and there was never a dull moment during its 4,000-episode run.

While it started out as a platform for Springer’s musings on politics and other topical matters, it quickly transformed into an afternoon side show for outlandish and rowdy guests with no qualms about airing their dirty laundry before a live studio audience and viewers at home. Their bouts would often devolve into chaos and even nudity, with family and friends hurling obscenities at each other and brawling onstage while people in the crowd cheered and chanted Jerry’s name.

The wild episodes boasted titles like “Stripper Sex Turned Me Straight,” “Stop Pimpin’ My Twin Sister,” and “Hooking Up With My Therapist.”

“The Jerry Springer Show” was a ratings juggernaut at its peak. In 1998, its viewership even beat “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Springer called it “escapist entertainment,” while critics saw the lurid drama as an attack on America’s social values and morals.

Before he shot to fame on TV, Springer was a politician and journalist. He studied political science at Tulane University and got a law degree from Northwestern University.

In 1968, he worked as an aide in Robert F. Kennedy’s ill-fated presidential campaign. Just two years later, Springer, then a lawyer in Cincinnati, launched an unsuccessful run for congress. He nabbed a seat on the city council in 1971 but suddenly resigned in 1974, citing “very personal family considerations.” He was also in the midst of a probe involving prostitution at the time.

Springer regained his council seat in 1975 and then served as Cincinnati mayor from 1977 to 1978.

In 2000 and 2004, he mulled runs for the U.S. Senate and considered a bid for Ohio governor as recently as 2017.

Springer also had an expansive career in broadcast television and news before starring on his eponymous talk show, which launched in 1991. After its wrap in 2018, Springer hosted “Judge Jerry” for three seasons and continued to offer fans his point of view through a podcast.

He also served as judge for the second and third seasons of “America’s Got Talent.”

“Jeez, this sucks RIP Jerry Springer,” said television personality Piers Morgan, who was also a judge on the reality show. “TV icon & such an intelligent, warm, funny man.”

“Loved working with him (on America’s Got Talent), loved hanging out with him (we lived in same hotel for 2 years), loved arguing with him (he loved his politics), loved everything about him. Gutting,” he added.

Steve Wilkos, who became famous himself as the security guard on “The Jerry Springer Show,” said in a statement, “Other than my father, Jerry was the most influential man in my life. Everything I have today, I owe to Jerry. He was the smartest, most generous, kindest person I’ve ever known.”

Springer’s most recent television appearance was on the “Masked Singer” in October 2022, where he performed as “The Beetle,” crooning a Frank Sinatra tune.

He’s survived by his daughter Katie Springer, whom he shares with ex-wife Micki Velton, and his sister Evelyn.

With News Wire Services