Jerry Springer Dies: Legendary Talk Show Host Was 79

UPDATED with NBCUniversal statement: Jerry Springer, the legendary talk show host, daytime TV star and and former mayor of Cincinnati, died Thursday at his home in Chicago. He was 79.

A statement from family spokesman Jene Galvin issued to WLWT, where the broadcaster and journalist once worked, read: “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.”

According to TMZ, he had been fighting cancer over the past months and recently had taken a turn for the worse.

Springer was known for Jerry Springer, the mega-popular but controversial syndicated talk show that ran for nearly 5,000 episodes. After launching with a focus on politics, it retooled and became a ratings smash and cultural phenomenon as a tabloid-style program with focuses on hot-button topics. Many guests would swear or end up in fights as they told their salacious stories.

Springer would act as the fatherly figure overseeing the proceedings, and despite the chaos, he would sign off every episode with a final thought, saying: “Take care of yourselves and each other.”

“I don’t watch the show, but it’s not aimed at 66-year-old men,” Springer said in a 2010 interview on NBC’s Today celebrating the show’s 20th anniversary. “If I were in college, I would watch. I enjoy doing it. It’s a lot of fun.”

Jerry Springer producer NBCUniversal paid tribute to Springer in a statement: “Jerry Springer was much more than a talk show host who redefined television. He was a savvy politician, pop cultural icon, and devout and loyal friend who was most proud when he spoke up for the marginalized and unrepresented. He connected equally with both the powerful and the man on the street. Strangers would open up to him and he loved nothing more than to give them a voice. We deeply mourn his loss and are fortunate to have been partners in a career that was truly astounding and a life that emulated the very best of us.”

The Jerry Springer Show was produced by NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and ran for 27 seasons. It continues to air in syndication.

Born on February 13, 1944, in London, Springer moved with his family to the U.S. in 1949, Before starting a career in broadcasting, he had a protracted political career, serving on the Cincinnati City Council before being elected mayor in 1977. He served one term. Springer was also a political campaign adviser to Robert F. Kennedy in the ’60s. In 1982, Springer launched a failed campaign to become governor of Ohio.

Springer also hosted NBC’s America’s Got Talent for three years and returned to daytime TV in 2019 when he launched the court show Judge Jerry, which ran for three seasons before being canceled at NBC. After the show was dropped, Springer told the press that he planned to retire from public life. “I’m 78 and have been in front of the camera now for 40 years, plus 10 years in politics. I’m winding down,” he said in an interview at the time.

He added: “We taped Judge Jerry for the entire season, and I want to try out retirement while I’m still healthy.”

He also was a contestant on Season 3 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, paired with pro dancer Kym Johnson. They were eliminated in Week 7.

Springer made one of his final on-screen appearances late last year on Fox’s popular show The Masked Singer, where he performed in a large beetle costume.

He is survived by his daughter Katie Springer and his older sister Evelyn.