Jerry Springer, one of the most influential and controversial figures in American TV history, has died. He was 79.
A family spokesperson says Jerry was battling a "brief illness." TMZ sources said it was pancreatic cancer that was diagnosed a few months ago, and this week he took a turn for the worse.
The spokesperson says he died Thursday morning, peacefully at his home in the Chicago area.
Jerry hosted the smash hit syndicated talk show "The Jerry Springer Show" for 27 years and it was never a boring moment on the raucous and wild show - which was known for its outrageous guests who usually got into crazy fights as the audience cheered, "Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry!"
Before TV, he was a politician who ran a failed campaign for U.S. Congress in 1970, got elected to Cincinnati's City Council in 1971 and became the city's mayor in 1977. He served one term.
But, Springer became a worldwide sensation with his show which debuted in 1991.
Most people won't remember this, but when he started Jerry's show focused on political issues. Of course, it eventually became the exact opposite and a ratings smash.
Jerry's show was so popular in the late '90s, it even topped Oprah Winfrey's in several cities. 'Springer' finally went off the air in 2018.
He made one more run on TV, with his courtroom show, "Judge Jerry," which ran for 3 seasons.
Jerry's last TV appearance came last season on "The Masked Singer" where he performed as "The Beetle," singing a Frank Sinatra classic.
We're told his cancer battle got much worse about a month ago, and he finally had to stop working. He had been hosting a folk music show on a local radio station in Cincinnati.
He's survived by his daughter Katie Springer and his older sister Evelyn.
Latest Stories
-
Explore, find and control – Dr. Bawumia’s paradigm shift policy for Ghana’s natural resource management
11 mins -
My father abandoned me at birth when he saw I was an albino – Byno
16 mins -
Harry and Meghan begin three-day Nigeria visit
40 mins -
Gloria Bempong: Nurturing growth; the revered gift of womanhood
1 hour -
Telecel Ghana partners Infinix to offer exclusive internet deals with NOTE 40 series launch
1 hour -
Tiwa Savage releases soundtrack album for debut feature film ‘Water and Gari’
1 hour -
NDC asking for serial numbers of BVRs is an insult to its agents – Haruna Mohammed
1 hour -
Former UTAG President jabs Dormaahene over Bawumia running mate comment
2 hours -
Enimil Ashon: Cecilia and Akonta: President told us so!
2 hours -
Andy Murray to make injury return next week
2 hours -
Dominic Thiem forced into early retirement after injuries
2 hours -
Is Sarkodie a ‘betweener’ to add his voice to Bob Marley’s ‘Stir It Up’ love letter to his wife? – Blakk Rasta quizzes
2 hours -
I take a seat to celebrate so I can be different – Mohammed Kudus
2 hours -
Bawumia urges African countries to learn from Ghana’s use of digitalisation in corruption fight
2 hours -
Kudus’ advertising board celebration to debut on EA Sports
3 hours