The world was shaken when news of Jerry Springer’s sudden death at the age of 79 was announced.
The TV star passed away in his suburban Chicago home, leaving behind a legacy that spans across politics, broadcasting, and entertainment.
While the loss of such an iconic figure is hard to bear, his final message to fans on Twitter brings a sense of solace to those who loved and admired him.
Jerry’s last personal post on Twitter was on December 31, 2022.
He wished his followers a happy and healthy 2023 filled with “hope, love, joy, and laughter.”
See below:
This message is a testament to the kind of person he was, always seeking to bring positivity and happiness into people’s lives.
On January 30, just a few days before his passing, Jerry posted an announcement about being on a radio show with his friend, Jene Galvin Folk.
He wrote, “The Jerry Springer and Jene Galvin Folk Hour! Starting Sunday, February 5 at nine in the morning, you can have breakfast and listen to folk music from the 1960s that literally shaped a culture, all on Cincinnati’s WMKV (89.3 FM). #Radio #folkmusic #jerryspringer.”
The post was accompanied by a picture of the two of them, and it could have signaled his declining health as it was the only time he posted to social media this year.
Jerry’s friend and spokesman for the family, Jene Galvin, spoke to local NBC affiliate WLWT about the late TV star’s ability to connect with people. He said, “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.” Jene continued, “He’s irreplaceable, and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart, and humor will live on.”
His iconic talk show, The Jerry Springer Show, ran for 27 years on NBC and CW. It gained immense popularity for its controversial topics on incest and adultery, featuring moments of profanity and guests participating in physical fights and nudity. Despite the criticism it received, it became a cultural phenomenon, and Jerry became a household name.
In his last public appearance, Jerry appeared on an episode of The Masked Singer, where he wore a beetle costume. When he was eliminated in October 2022, the crowd quickly began chanting his name once his identity was revealed. Jerry remained humble, stating, “When I sing, people get involved because they have to guess where the notes were supposed to have been. It’s like interactive.” Although he was semi-retired at the time, he decided to do the program because it sounded fun, and he knew his grandson would get a kick out of it.
Jerry also appeared on Dancing With The Stars in 2006 and was partnered with Kym Johnson on Season Three. He may have left this world, but his legacy lives on through the memories he left behind, the impact he made on people’s lives, and the joy and laughter he brought to his fans. As Jerry himself said, “Hope, love, joy, and laughter.”
RIP.
