Talk Show Host Jerry Springer Dead At 79

Talk show host Jerry Springer, best known for "The Jerry Springer Show" and "Judge Jerry" has passed away.

The 79-year-old former politician reported passed away peacefully at his home in Chicago on Thursday at the age of 79.

“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,” said Jene Galvin, a friend and spokesman for the family told Page Six on Thursday morning.

“He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart, and humor will live on,” they continued. Springer had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few months ago, but his health took a turn for the worse over the past week.

“The Jerry Springer Show” first premiered in 1991 and ran for 27 seasons before it was canceled in 2018. Almost 5,000 episodes were made in total. Early in his career, Springer started his talk show by focusing on political issues before the show started to become known for “shocking” stories, like exposing cheaters and featuring strippers.

In a March 2022 interview with Page Six, the former journalist admitted that even though his show was “stupid,” he still had a great time.

“I can’t think of anything more fun,” Jerry recalled. “I mean, I never took it seriously. I always knew it was a stupid show. But it’s fun, and people enjoyed it.” He compared the experience of watching the show to chewing bubble gum, saying, “It isn’t going to save the world, but it’s not going to kill you, either.”

Jerry went on to say that the show had “a democratic quality to it” that introduced the world to all kinds of people.

“‘Seinfeld,’ ‘Frasier,’ ‘Friends,’ it was always well-scrubbed-looking, upper middle-class people. And that was it, and all of a sudden my show comes on,” he recalled. He said that “The Jerry Springer Show” showcased people who “had never really been on television before,” which is what led to the show’s massive appeal.

Jerry also joked that, compared to social media today, “Our show is like ‘I Love Lucy.’”

After “The Jerry Springer Show” wrapped up in 2018, Jerry still continued to provide sensational television with "Judge Jerry," which aired for three seasons. The courtroom drama often featured family members suing each other for trivial amounts of money, allowing Jerry to dole out some grandfatherly advice.

In his interview with Page Six, Jerry described his judging style as “fair” and “grandfatherly,” as compared to someone like Judge Judy, who he says is a “disciplinarian” and “very stern.”

“I am the second parent you go to after that disciplinarian parent says, ‘You’re not having that,’” he joked, adding, “It’s just not my personality. No one would take it seriously if all of a sudden I started [yelling]. A lot of people watched for 27 years my crazy show, but I’m never yelling at the guests. I’m never cursing.”

“So it’s easier to be yourself than to play any other role,” he added. “That’s what I feel, right?”

As Jerry Springer would say, "Take care of yourselves. And each other." RIP, Jerry.