Jerry Springerhad ambitions to continue his career in television beforehis death at age 79.The former talk show host, who died on Thursday, told PEOPLE in 2015 that he had no plans to slow down.“I will be stopping when I’m 104. I want to be able to enjoy my retirement,” Springer said of hostingThe 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.“Ralf-Finn Hestoft/CORBIS/Corbis via GettyThe television personality hostedThe Jerry Springer Showfor28 seasons— and 4,000 episodes — from 1991 to 2018.Despite the show’s success, Springer spoke out about thecontroversial nature of his daytime talk show.“It’s stupid,” he said on theTodayshow in 2017. “And it’s got a niche, and no one else kind of goes in that niche, so I think that’s one of the reason it’s lasted.““No one’s watching because of me,” he added at the time. “They’re watching because the stories are crazy and the people are outrageous.“John Parra/GettyPEOPLE confirmed that Springer died in a suburb of Chicago on Thursday after a “brief illness.““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,” family friend and spokesman Jene Galvin said in a statement to PEOPLE. “He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.“The statement continued, “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.'“RELATED VIDEO: Jerry Springer Shares What He’ll Miss the Most fromThe Jerry Springer ShowNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Springer also had a career as a lawyer, judge and actor.AfterThe Jerry Springer Show, he went on to produce and star inJudge Jerry, which ran for three seasons, and hosted another talk show in Connecticut, as well as thePrice is Right Live!tour.His many projects includedAustin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, the game showBaggage, the 1998 comedyRingmasterandThe Jerry Springer Podcast.
Jerry Springerhad ambitions to continue his career in television beforehis death at age 79.
The former talk show host, who died on Thursday, told PEOPLE in 2015 that he had no plans to slow down.
“I will be stopping when I’m 104. I want to be able to enjoy my retirement,” Springer said of hostingThe 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.”
Ralf-Finn Hestoft/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty
The television personality hostedThe Jerry Springer Showfor28 seasons— and 4,000 episodes — from 1991 to 2018.
Despite the show’s success, Springer spoke out about thecontroversial nature of his daytime talk show.
“It’s stupid,” he said on theTodayshow in 2017. “And it’s got a niche, and no one else kind of goes in that niche, so I think that’s one of the reason it’s lasted.”
“No one’s watching because of me,” he added at the time. “They’re watching because the stories are crazy and the people are outrageous.”
John Parra/Getty
PEOPLE confirmed that Springer died in a suburb of Chicago on Thursday after a “brief illness.”
“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,” family friend and spokesman Jene Galvin said in a statement to PEOPLE. “He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.”
The statement continued, “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.'”
RELATED VIDEO: Jerry Springer Shares What He’ll Miss the Most fromThe Jerry Springer Show
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Springer also had a career as a lawyer, judge and actor.
AfterThe Jerry Springer Show, he went on to produce and star inJudge Jerry, which ran for three seasons, and hosted another talk show in Connecticut, as well as thePrice is Right Live!tour.
His many projects includedAustin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, the game showBaggage, the 1998 comedyRingmasterandThe Jerry Springer Podcast.
source: people.com
