Legendary host of “The Jerry Springer Show” remembered for outrageous episodes and cultural impact.
Jerry Springer, the 79-year-old host of the hit syndicated talk show “The Jerry Springer Show,” has died. Springer hosted the show for 27 years, making it a cultural phenomenon that will be remembered for years to come. He was known for his outrageous guests and wild on-air fights.
Jerry had been battling a brief illness, which sources confirmed was pancreatic cancer diagnosed a few months ago, according to a family spokesperson. Jerry’s health deteriorated this week, and he died peacefully at his home in the Chicago area on Thursday morning.
Jerry was a politician before entering television, running an unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Congress in 1970, being elected to Cincinnati’s City Council in 1971, and becoming mayor in 1977. He served one term before moving to television, where his talk show became a worldwide sensation.
Despite its humble beginnings as a political show, “The Jerry Springer Show” quickly became a rating smash with its raucous and wild episodes featuring guests who got into ridiculous fights while the audience cheered “Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry!” The show was so popular that it even topped Oprah Winfrey’s ratings in several cities in the late 1990s before it was canceled in 2018.
“Jerry, Jerry, Jerry” No More: Talk Show Host Jerry Springer Dies at 79
Jerry made one more television appearance with his courtroom show, “Judge Jerry,” which lasted three seasons. He also made a surprise appearance on “The Masked Singer” last season as “The Beetle,” singing a Frank Sinatra classic.
Jerry’s cancer battle worsened about a month ago, and he was forced to stop working. Before his death, he was hosting a folk music show on a local radio station in Cincinnati.
Jerry’s daughter Katie Springer and his older sister Evelyn survive him. Millions of fans around the world will remember his contributions to the world of television and his enduring legacy. Jerry, please rest in peace.
