Fans and fellow celebrities are mourning the loss of iconic and controversial TV talk show host Jerry Springer, who died Thursday at 79.
Springer was best-known for his namesake syndicated talk show, “The Jerry Springer Show.”
People took to Twitter to express their grief and gratitude for the late daytime broadcaster, actor, lawyer and politician, who served as Cincinnati’s 56th mayor in 1977.
Springer died peacefully in his home in Chicago, according to a statement from his family as reported by Cincinnati NBC affiliate WLWT5.
The cable TV legend produced and hosted “The Jerry Springer” show from September 1991 to July 2018, airing 27 seasons and nearly 5,000 episodes.
The tabloid talk show was best known for featuring dysfunctional family drama, frequent feuds bleeped out with obscenities, baby mama/father drama, the occasional nudity and fans roaring the refrain, “Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!”
Broadcaster and New York Post columnist Piers Morgan recalled working with Springer on “America’s Got Talent,” whom he regarded as a “warm, funny man” on Twitter.
“Jeez, this sucks. RIP Jerry Springer, 79. TV icon & such an intelligent, warm, funny man. Loved working with him (on @AGT ), loved hanging out with him (we lived in same hotel for 2yrs), loved arguing with him (he loved his politics), loved everything about him. Gutting,” Morgan tweeted.
Comedian Loni Love applauded Springer’s unique ability to bring an audience together.
“What I loved about Jerry Springer was the way he connected with people in a unique and authentic manner. This is why as a talkshow host he excelled … condolences to his family and fans on his passing,” she tweeted.
Megyn Kelly expressed her sympathy, recalling Springer coming to her podcast, “The Megyn Kelly Show,” shortly after it launched in 2020.
“So sad to hear this. He came on my show shortly after we launched and told the best stories about his fascinating life & his deep love for America. R.I.P. Jerry Springer,” she tweeted.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy put up a video of him and Springer in New York getting a taste of Marinara pizza, “Rip Springer. A true 1 of 1.”
MTV’s “Jersey Shore” account also shared a clip of Springer appearing with some cast members from the reality show.“Rest in peace, Jerry Springer — Honorary Meatball, Angelina’s hero, and reality TV icon. We will cherish this moment forever,” the account posted.
Political consultant and former White House official David Axelrod recalled meeting Springer back in his political days when he was mayor.“Jerry Springer will be remembered as the ringmaster of an embarrassing, tabloid-style TV show. But I met him earlier, when he was a mayor and insurgent progressive candidate for governor of Ohio in a race I covered. He was funny, self-effacing & incisive,” Axelrod tweeted.
Fans also celebrated Springer online.
“Long live Jerry Springer!” a fan with the handle @Virgodabrat1 posted.
Another remembered the host’s character fondly.
“Sorry to hear about the passing of Jerry Springer. He was often surrounded by wild characters, but in real life he was a kind and humble man. Got to spend some time with him a few years back while visiting a friend in Las Vegas,” said @RobOnLocation.
One person fondly remembered Springer’s closing lines on his show.
“I always loved his end show quotes. ‘Take care of yourself and each other,’” another fan tweeted.
Others fondly recalled looking forward to watching the high-drama, “guilty pleasure” show while home from school on sick days.
And while Springer was known for his high-energy show with its controversial moments – whether it was revealing paternity tests or revelations about infidelity, viewers regarded him as a cultural icon.
“Say what you want about his show but Jerry Springer is a cultural icon,” said @karlynesublime.