Jerry Springer Dead at 79
Daytime TV personality Jerry Springer has died at the age of 79, TVLine has confirmed.
A family spokesperson tells us that Springer died at his home in Chicago, Ill., after a “brief illness,” surrounded by his family. UPDATE: His publicist tells People that he died of pancreatic cancer.
“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,” family spokesman Jene Galvin said in a statement to TVLine. “He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.”
Producer NBCUniversal said in a statement, “Jerry Springer was much more than a talk show host who redefined television. He was a savvy politician, pop cultural icon, and devout and loyal friend who was most proud when he spoke up for the marginalized and unrepresented. He connected equally with both the powerful and the man on the street. Strangers would open up to him and he loved nothing more than to give them a voice. We deeply mourn his loss and are fortunate to have been partners in a career that was truly astounding and a life that emulated the very best of us.”
Springer was best known for his long-running, eponymous talk show, which ran for 27 years before ending in 2018. Debuting way back in 1991, Jerry Springer became notorious for its provocatively lowbrow topics and frequent on-screen fistfights. (The show’s bouncer, Steve Wilkos, even landed his own talk show in 2007.)
Springer became synonymous with trash TV and soared in the ratings, even topping daytime titan The Oprah Winfrey Show during one late-’90s stretch. More than 3,800 episodes aired, each ending with Springer’s “Final Thought” on the chaos that preceded it.
A year after Jerry Springer‘s end, Springer returned to daytime TV with the syndicated courtroom show Judge Jerry, which ran for three seasons and ended in 2022. Additional TV credits included a two-season stint as host of NBC’s America’s Got Talent, and turns as a contestant on Season 3 of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars (finishing in fifth place) and Season 8 of Fox’s The Masked Singer (competing as the Beetle; see below).
Prior to becoming a TV star, Springer worked as a lawyer for 15 years, having received his law degree in 1968 from Northwestern University. He also had a career in politics, and served as the mayor of Cincinnati from 1977 to 1978.
Sad news. Like him or not he was a pioneer.
Jerry Springer was an original and true to self. I never cared for his program but always believed he was one of the good guys. He took a bite out of life and enjoyed it. A true good sport.
Awe. The only thing I know him from is DWTS and he was a kind and gentle man who wanted to dance at his daughter’s wedding. Condolences to his family.
His UK Who Do You Think You Are was genuinely one of the most moving episodes I’ve ever watched (and I’ve watched pretty much every episode of the English-speaking iterations.) A fascinating man.
I feel like I knew Jerry personally, since he spent so much time in my living room. Watched him all the time. My condolences and prayers go out to his family and friends. He will beissed by all. RIP Jerry
That’s be missed by all
RIP Jerry. I gasped reading the headline. He seemed like a sweet guy despite the craziness of his talk show. As much as I hate to admit, my teen years (even adult) consisted of watching his talk show. It was total trash but entertaining and iconic nevertheless. Also loved him on DWTS and Masked Singer. He will be missed! A total icon. JERRY JERRY JERRY! 🥺☹️
JERRY JERRY JERRY! Remember the yell? RIP.
Yes, the Jerry chant…
🤭 I used to enjoy watching his show because it was just so ridiculous but entertaining…
He will be missed but thank goodness that there are the episodes of his show that we can rewatch…
JERRY, JERRY, JERRY. Childhood. ❤
I hope there isn’t too much bashing on here. I worked with his daughter for a time and got to meet and talk with him on many occasions. He was incredibly friendly and approachable. He didn’t take himself seriously at all and nobody knew more than him what a train wreck his show was. But he laughed all the way to the bank. I’m sad to hear this news today.
RIP Jerry, Facebook has taken the place of your TV show. It has drama, chaos, liars, cheaters but nobody yelling Jerry,Jerry, Jerry. Thanks for the cheap trashy entertainment .
Legend. Not many can say they changed the fabric of television.
Rest in peace.
Sad news. He will be missed. R.I.P.
Jerry, Jerry, Jerry,
may he rest in peace 🕊️…
Jerry’s specialty: trashy programs about trashy people.
The nice die young. :-(
I like to think that Jerry Springer was in on the joke (when he wasn’t befuddled by some of the people he interacted with), but was a decent guy underneath it all.
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RIP, “Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!”
I began college in fall 1992. I remember catching a few daytime episodes of the Donahue-style incarnation of “The Jerry Springer Show” during my freshman year. By my senior year, the show was in its heyday of trashiness and guest fights that would often break out before guests took their seats after introduction.
I loved his final thoughts moments after a whole episode of trash. Also; I think he was an ally before anyone else. He might have used the wrong terms for trans people (it was the 90’s) but his final thoughts were always about accepting people for who they were.
Jerry seemed to be a genuinely good man and sweet person. R.I.P. Sir 🍃
I’m sad because I used to watch his show. I would’ve loved to have met him and thanked him for the entertainment. I envy the people that got their Jerry beads.
Baruch Dayan Haemet. Wishing the springer family long life. Jerry was an amazing guy a true mensch