Larry King, a broadcasting giant who interviewed everyone from heads of state, to actors and hip-hop artists, has died. He was 87.
The legendary radio and television host passed away Saturday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to a statement posted on his official social media accounts.
A cause of death was not given, although King was hospitalized earlier this month with COVID-19. Over the years, he battled other health problems, including a serious heart attack and bypass surgery, lung cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and a stroke.
Shortly after he died, CNN aired a tribute to the broadcaster, who hosted Larry King Live on the cable news channel for 25 years. The network described him as “the longtime CNN host who became an icon through his interviews with countless newsmakers and his sartorial sensibilities.”
Larry King, the longtime CNN host who became an icon through his interviews with countless newsmakers and his sartorial sensibilities, has died. He was 87. https://t.co/eWOnYiwla2 pic.twitter.com/J61Zr0Kk4N
— CNN (@CNN) January 23, 2021
From the entertainment world, Rapper 50 Cent tweeted a picture of himself with King and included the caption: “R.I.P to the legend Larry King God bless him.”
Magic Johnson praised King on Twitter. “I’ve known Larry King since I arrived in LA 42 years ago,” he tweeted. “Larry King Live changed CNN in the 80s blending entertainment with news & I loved being on the show. Larry was one of the best interviewers on TV. Always well prepared, asked intelligent questions, & always made the interviews fun, serious, & entertaining!”
Viola Davis also shared a tribute to King on Twitter, writing: “RIP Larry King… what a Titan you were! One of our true icons. You are no longer in pain. Rest well.”
Born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in Brooklyn in 1933, King became a household name in the 1970s with the radio program The Larry King Show.
He joined CNN and hosted the popular nightly interview program, Larry King Live, from 1985 to 2010. In March 2012, he co-founded digital network Ora.TV with Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, and began hosting Larry King Now.
King was married eight times, most recently to Shawn Southwick, whom he wed in 1997. He filed for divorce in 2019, but apparently the two are still married. He is also is survived by children Larry, Jr., Chance, Cannon and extended family.
Funeral arrangements and a memorial service will be announced later, according to Ora Media.
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