MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

Larry King: Piers Morgan slammed for 'petty' tweet about late icon, Internet says 'you made it about yourself'

Several high-profile figures inundated social media with tributes, with many recalling their personal experiences with the primetime legend

Award-winning TV and radio host Larry King — who became a household name with his eponymous show 'Larry King Live' on CNN — died at the age of 87, causing an outpouring of tributes and anecdotes on social media. However, British TV host Piers Morgan was majorly slammed for his "petty" tweet about the legendary talk show host.

“With profound sadness, Ora Media announces the death of our co-founder, host, and friend Larry King, who passed away this morning at age 87 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles,” King’s official Twitter account announced in a statement. His demise came just weeks after it was revealed he was battling Covid-19, albeit no official cause of death has been provided.

Morgan wrote while posting a photo of him with King: "Larry King was a hero of mine until we fell out after I replaced him at CNN & he said my show was ‘like watching your mother-in-law go over a cliff in your new Bentley.’ (He married 8 times so a mother-in-law expert) But he was a brilliant broadcaster & masterful TV interviewer."

This was not taken kindly as several social media users slammed Morgan. "Neat how you made it both petty and all about you," one tweeted. "Not like you to make it all about you Piers.....You can’t even pay tribute to somebody who’s passed away without having a dig......Oh my god," another added. "Not surprised he fell out with you, look at you trying to grab 5 minutes of fame through past association. It's always the way with people like you. Bet you had not talked to him in years. Gawd," a third user chimed in.

Several high-profile figures inundated social media with tributes, with many recalling their personal experiences with the primetime legend. "Just heard the awful news about Larry King. He taught me so much. He was a true mensch. He probably even taught me that word. So long pal, thanks for all the laughs. Say hi to Rickles. #RIPLarryKing," talk show host Craig Ferguson tweeted.

"Larry King has passed away today at the age of 87. It was my privilege to be interviewed by him on several occasions, & he interviewed my father @BillyGraham
many times. He will certainly be missed. My condolences to his family and loved ones," evangelist Franklin Graham wrote. "First Hank Aaron now Larry king smh let me roll a j for the real OG’s," comedian Lil Duval added.

"I was guest-hosting for Larry King at CNN the night his son Chance was born and got to announce the birth on Larry’s own show and Larry called in," commentator Greta Van Susteren recalled. "One of the most memorable moments I’ve had in an interview was the first time I met Larry King & he asked me how it felt 'to be so fierce'. May he Rest In Peace. Sending my condolences and prayers to those he leaves behind," Olympian Johnny Weir wrote.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, King began his career in the late 1950s as a newspaper journalist and Miami DJ, according to Rolling Stone. He later ventured into celebrity interviews and sporting event commentary. King launched his nationwide Larry King Show broadcast in 1978, which he continued to host even after Larry King Live began airing in 1985, per the outlet.

King's CNN show aired nightly from June 1985 to December 2010 and featured interviews from all walks of life, including celebrities, politicians, conspiracy theorists, and psychics. Throughout his career, King has hosted more than 50,000 interviews, with guests ranging from U.S. presidents and Vladimir Putin to Prince and Frank Zappa, according to Rolling Stone and the Associated Press.