Jerry Springer has died aged 79, the talk show host's devastated family has revealed.
A statement from his family confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his home in Chicago. Family spokesperson Jene Galvin told TMZ that Springer, real name Gerald, was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
Galvin told local Cincinnati news: “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.”
The iconic TV personality had a glittering career, including his 27 year hosting gig for The Jerry Springer Show which aired from 1991 to 2018. His series inspired the UK's The Jeremy Kyle Show, which ran on ITV between 2005 and 2019.
His audience would cheer his name, as his outrageous guests would get into crazy fights - with many expletive-filled rants being bleeped out. Springer often told people, tongue in cheek, that his wish for them was 'may you never be on my show.'
He embraced the show’s trashiness by proudly calling it “the worst TV show of all time” at the start of each episode.
Springer then created his courtroom show, 'Judge Jerry,' which ran for three seasons. His final TV appearance came on last season's The Masked Singer, performing as 'The Beetle' to sing a Frank Sinatra Classic.
Before becoming an iconic TV personality, the worldwide sensation ran a failed campaign for US Congress in 1970. He was then elected to Cincinnati's City Council in 1971, before becoming mayor of the city in 1977 and serving for one term.
Springer is survived by his daughter Katie, who he had with Micki Velton, and sister Evelyn.
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