(CMR) Popular broadcaster Larry King (87) is dead. The legendary talk show giant who hosted “Larry King Live” on CNN for over 25 years died on Saturday.
King was hospitalized with the COVID-19 virus last month; however, he had some health scares over the years, including multiple heart attacks, a lung cancer diagnosis, and a stroke.
King died at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
In a statement released on Saturday morning, Ora Media confirmed his passing.
“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,” the statement said
“For 63 years and across the platforms of radio, television, and digital media, Larry’s many thousands of interviews, awards, and global acclaim stand as a testament to his unique and lasting talent as a broadcaster,” it continued.
King conducted an estimated 50,000 on-air interviews, welcoming everyone, including celebrities, politicians, and ordinary people. He was known for getting usually elusive guests.
Originating from Washington on the Mutual network, “The Larry King Show” was eventually heard on more than 300 stations and made King a national phenomenon.
A few years later, CNN founder Ted Turner offered King a slot on his young network. “Larry King Live” debuted on June 1, 1985, and became CNN’s highest-rated program.
King’s beginning salary of $100,000 a year eventually grew to more than $7 million.
King was born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in 1933 to Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe who lived in Brooklyn, New York.
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