Jerry Springer, who hosted The Jerry Springer Show for 27 years, died on April 27 after battling cancer.
Jerry Springer, beloved longtime television host and former mayor of Cincinnati, passed away at the age of 79 from pancreatic cancer, according to his longtime representative Linda Shafran.
The sad news was confirmed on Friday, while his death was announced on Thursday.
Springer was known for his unique ability to connect with people, which was evident in his successful career in politics, broadcasting, and even in his casual encounters with fans on the street who wanted a quick chat or a photo.
Jene Galvin, a lifelong friend and spokesman for the family, said in a statement that this talent was at the heart of Springer’s success in everything he tried.
“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 Galvin.
One of Springer’s most notable contributions to television was his tabloid talk show, “The Jerry Springer Show,” which premiered in 1991 and ran for over 4,000 episodes until it ended in 2018. The show, which often featured outrageous guests and sensational topics, was widely successful in syndication.
However, it also received criticism for contributing to the rise of “trash TV” and for exploiting the guests who appeared on the show. Despite the controversy surrounding his show, Springer was a beloved figure in the entertainment industry and will be remembered for his unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
During an interview with CNN in 2010, Jerry Springer expressed that he was not bothered by being labeled as the “grandfather of trash TV.”
As his show, “The Jerry Springer Show,” celebrated its 20th anniversary on air, he acknowledged that this title was probably accurate. He also admitted that his show was one of the first to present some of the outrageousness that became a hallmark of his program. Although he didn’t know what the award for that was, he accepted the label with good humor.
Springer had not publicly disclosed his cancer diagnosis before his death.