Jerry Springer was laid to rest in a private ceremony on Sunday, April 30, according to Springer’s representative.
The private Jewish ceremony, which took place in a Chicago suburb, was attended by a small group of people. The news was first reported by TMZ, and a tribute is planned for May 16 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Springer’s family confirmed to ET in a statement that the late broadcast icon died peacefully on Thursday at his home in suburban Chicago, Illinois, surrounded by his family.
“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,” Jene Galvin, a lifelong friend and family spokesperson, said. “He is irreplaceable, and his loss is heartbreaking, but memories of his intellect, heart, and sense of humor will live on.”
Springer died of pancreatic cancer, according to his personal publicist.
Springer was best known for his long-running tabloid talk show, Jerry Springer, which aired in syndication until 2018.
“Anybody can be a talk show host,” Springer told ET in 2016, during an exclusive visit to the Jerry Springer set. “To be a talk show host, you must do three things. You must be able to ask, “You did what?” Come on in! We’ll be right there.’ You’ve got a career if you can do those three lines.”
Springer went on to host the syndicated courtroom show Judge Jerry in 2019. After three seasons, the show was canceled in 2022. Springer’s final television appearance was in October on The Masked Singer, where he played “The Beetle.”
His other credits include a lengthy appearance on Dancing With the Stars’ third season, where he reached the top five with partner Kym Johnson-Herjavec.
Gerald Norman Springer was born in London, England, and moved to New York City when he was four years old. He then attended Tulane University and Northwestern University Law School before joining the United States Army Reserves.
Springer served as mayor of Cincinnati for one term in 1977 and ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic Party primary for governor of Ohio in 1982.
His daughter, Katie, and his sister, Evelyn, survive him.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that fans follow in his footsteps by making a donation to a worthy advocacy organization or committing to an act of kindness in his honor.
