Jerry Springer, talk show host and former Cincinnati mayor, dead at 79

Jerry Springer, talk show host and former Cincinnati mayor, dead at 79

Show Caption Hide Caption Former daytime talk show host Jerry Springer dies at 79 Jerry Springer, former daytime talk show host and mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio, has died at 79. Claire Hardwick, USA TODAY

Jerry Springer, the former Cincinnati mayor and talk show host, died Thursday at his home in the Chicago area after a brief illness, his family said. He was 79.

Born Gerald Norman Springer in London, England on February 13, 1944, he immigrated to the Queens borough of New York City at the age of 4 along with his parents and older sister, according to a statement from the family.

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Springer graduated from Tulane University and Northwestern University Law School, served in the United States Army Reserves and had a long career in law, politics, journalism and broadcasting. He was a reporter and political commentator for WLWT-TV.

He hosted "The Jerry Springer Show," "Judge Jerry" and more recently a 60s folk music radio show in Cincinnati. In 2006, he even had a shockingly long and humorous run on "Dancing With the Stars."

Springer was mayor of Cincinnati in 1977 and 1978 and served on city council throughout most of the 1970s and early 1980s. He was an unsuccessful candidate in the Democratic Party primary for Ohio governor in 1982 and considered running in 2018.

“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 lifelong friend and spokesperson for the family. “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 planned, the family said. They ask that, in lieu of flowers, people make a donation or commit to an act of kindness for someone in need or a worthy advocacy organization.

"As he always said, 'Take care of yourself, and each other,'" the statement said.

While his political impact is remembered locally, social media today has been flooded with clips from his show.

Sad to hear that Jerry Springer has passed away.

Here's Jerry's final thought that almost brought him to tears.

'Deep down we are all the same... to be liked, accepted, respected and not to mention loved is the greatest gift of all... take care of yourself and each other.' pic.twitter.com/f6qIC8nrBa — The Sting (@TSting18) April 27, 2023

Former Ohio governor Ted Strickland described his long-time friend and political ally as a talented entertainer, gifted communicator, and nonjudgmental man.

“He had a certain amount of baggage but he was a wonderfully bright man,” Strickland said on Thursday. He noted that Springer’s values and beliefs lined up closely with his own.

“A lot of people judge him based on his program. It was reprehensible and even he acknowledged that,” Strickland said, adding “Even in the midst of that, he was never judgmental of other people. He felt that people should be able to live their lives. That’s in stark contrast to some of the political leadership today.”

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine also issued a statement on Springer's passing.

“Jerry Springer had a unique style and approached politics with great passion," DeWine said in a statement. "His careers in public service and entertainment made him one of the most memorable personalities in Ohio politics. Fran and I extend our condolences to Jerry’s family at this time."

Former Hamilton County Democratic Chairman Tim Burke had a 54-year friendship with Springer and worked as his legislative aide in Cincinnati's City Hall. It was not a typical political friendship.

Burke has memories of Springer wrestling a bear for charity in 1980. He remembers Springer’s gonzo-style as a city councilman. When the city in 1973 took over local bus service, Springer “stole” a bus during a ceremony on Fountain Square and drove it around the block.

Springer also used his flair to bring attention to serious issues, Burke said. Then-councilman Springer spent a night in jail at a facility known as “The Workhouse” in Camp Washington to learn about the plight of prisoners.

In 1974, Springer abruptly resigned from council, citing "very personal family considerations." He later admitted he had paid for prostitutes with two personal checks. His political career quickly recovered when he won back his seat on City Council in 1975 and became mayor in 1977.

After leaving his elected positions, Springer remained involved in Cincinnati and Ohio politics. Burke said Springer was the single biggest contributor to the Hamilton County Democratic Party during his tenure leading the party from 1993 to 2018.

“That was Jerry,” Burke said. “Those were the kinds of things he did to make a point and to try and get people’s attention on issues of importance.” Then Burke thought about it. “Not wrestling a bear. That was nuts.”