By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
One of the most influential and controversial figures in TV history, Jerry Springer, has died. He was 79.
A family spokesperson told TMZ he died this morning at his home in the Chicago area.
Jene Galvin, a lifelong friend and spokesman for the family said in a statement: “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 humour will live on.”
The presenter was famous for his raucous tabloid talk show, The Jerry Springer Show, which he always ended with the catchphrase: “Take care of yourself and each other”.
A massive ratings hit, it aired for 27 seasons and nearly 5,000 episodes from 1991 to 2018.
He also hosted America’s Got Talent from 2007 to 2008.
Other broadcast work included the Judge Jerry Show, the Springer on the Radio Show, Baggage, the Jerry Springer Podcast and until recently a 60s folk music radio show in Cincinnati.
Born Gerald Norman Springer in February 1944, he had an unusual start to life, with his mother giving birth in Highgate, an underground train station in North London.
His parents, who were German-Jewish refugees, were in the station sheltering from a German bombing raid during the Second World War at the time.
Springer went on to move to to Queens, New York, aged four, along with his parents and older sister.
He went on to study political science at Tulane University in Louisiana and got a law degree from Northwestern University in Illinois, before serving in the US Army Reserves.
He went on to work as a political campaign adviser for Robert F Kennedy’s1968 presidential campaign, before joining a Cincinnati law firm and then being elected to city council.
A lifelong Democrat, he was Mayor of Cincinnati from 1977 to 1978, and considered running for Senate in 2003. He also considered running for governor of Ohio as recently as 2017, but decided against it.
Springer leaves behind one daughter, Katie.