Jerry Springer, host of The Jerry Springer Show and former politician, has died. He was 79 years old.
A family spokesperson told TMZ that Springer had suffered from a "brief illness," with the source saying he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few months ago. He died peacefully in his Chicago area home this morning.
One of the most controversial figures in daytime television, Springer hosted his eponymous TV show from 1991 until its finale in 2018. It was known for its outrageous guests who would fight over infidelity, family and relationship issues, usually leading to physical and verbal altercations censored by many bleeps. Hallmarks of The Jerry Springer Show included the crowd chanting "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!" at the fighting guests, Springer arriving on set by sliding down a stripper pole, and some audience members flashing their chests for "Jerry Beads."
Springer was also a politician, serving as the Mayor of Cincinnati, OH, from 1977 to 1978. He was also a broadcast news anchor on Cincinnati's NBC affiliate, WLWT, for some time, leading to his signature signoff: "Take care of yourself, and each other."
Springer also considered running for US Senate in 2000 and 2004, but backed down due to negative implications from The Jerry Springer Show. He also considered running in the Ohio gubernatorial election in 2018, but ultimately decided against it.
Following The Jerry Springer Show's end, Springer hosted the courtroom show Judge Jerry from 2019 until its cancellation in 2022. Springer's last TV performance was on The Masked Singer as "Beetle" last year, singing Frank Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight."
Springer was working up until a month ago, hosting a folk music show on a local Cincinnati radio station.
A family spokesperson told TMZ that Springer had suffered from a "brief illness," with the source saying he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few months ago. He died peacefully in his Chicago area home this morning.
One of the most controversial figures in daytime television, Springer hosted his eponymous TV show from 1991 until its finale in 2018. It was known for its outrageous guests who would fight over infidelity, family and relationship issues, usually leading to physical and verbal altercations censored by many bleeps. Hallmarks of The Jerry Springer Show included the crowd chanting "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!" at the fighting guests, Springer arriving on set by sliding down a stripper pole, and some audience members flashing their chests for "Jerry Beads."
Springer was also a politician, serving as the Mayor of Cincinnati, OH, from 1977 to 1978. He was also a broadcast news anchor on Cincinnati's NBC affiliate, WLWT, for some time, leading to his signature signoff: "Take care of yourself, and each other."
Springer also considered running for US Senate in 2000 and 2004, but backed down due to negative implications from The Jerry Springer Show. He also considered running in the Ohio gubernatorial election in 2018, but ultimately decided against it.
Following The Jerry Springer Show's end, Springer hosted the courtroom show Judge Jerry from 2019 until its cancellation in 2022. Springer's last TV performance was on The Masked Singer as "Beetle" last year, singing Frank Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight."
Springer was working up until a month ago, hosting a folk music show on a local Cincinnati radio station.
