'I can't imagine doing nothing': Jerry Springer hoped to continue his TV career until age 104
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Jerry Springer, the legendary talk show host hoped to continue his television career until the age of 104 before he died of cancer at age 79 on Thursday, April 27. In 2015, he told that he had no plans to settle down in his career.
"I will be stopping when I'm 104. I want to be able to enjoy my retirement," he said of hosting the controversial 'The Jerry Springer Show'. "I'm lucky. I don't need to make a living anymore. I work because it's enjoyable to do and people enjoy the show. As long as I'm healthy, I'll keep doing it. I can't imagine doing nothing," he told People.
READ MORE
Jerry Springer: What is net worth of legendary talk show host?
Who is Micki Velton? Jerry Springer was married to ex-wife for 21 years before breaking up
'No one's watching because of me'
'The Jerry Springer Show' hosted by Springer aired for nearly 27 years from 1991 to 2018 and had 28 seasons and 4,000 episodes. Talking about the successful show's controversial nature, Springer previously said, "It's stupid. And it's got a niche, and no one else kind of goes in that niche, so I think that's one of the reasons it's lasted." "No one's watching because of me. They're watching because the stories are crazy and the people are outrageous," he added on the Today Show in 2017.
Springer died after a brief illness
Jene Galvin, Springer's family spokesperson confirmed the TV presenter's cause of death as pancreatic cancer. The host's longtime friend and religious leader Rabbi Sandford Kopnick said Springer's "illness was sudden."
In a statement given to the outlet, Galvin recalled Springer's career and said that his "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 humor will live on. Funeral services and a memorial gathering are currently being developed. To remember Jerry, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, you consider following his spirit and make a donation or commit to an act of kindness to someone in need or a worthy advocacy organization. As he always said, 'Take care of yourself, and each other.'," the statement added.
Springer's multi-faceted career
Before he stepped into the TV industry, Springer was a politician who served on the City Council of Cincinnati in 1971 and was later elected as the city's mayor. He also had a career as an actor, lawyer, and judge.
Springer was also popular for the 'Judge Jerry' show which he produced and starred and the show ran for three seasons. Game show 'Baggage,' 'Springer on the Radio Show,' and the 'Jerry Springer Podcast' are among his other projects. In Cincinnati, the influential host also had a '60s folk music radio show. In 1991, Springer wrote an autobiography named 'Ringmaster' and in 2006, he also earned 5th place after a successful run on the show 'Dancing With the Stars.'