Jerry Springer was an American broadcaster, journalist, actor, lawyer and politician, best known for hosting the controversial tabloid talk show, Jerry Springer, from 1991 to 2018.
He attended Northwestern University School of Law, qualified as a lawyer, and first became actively involved in politics working for the campaign of Robert Kennedy in 1968.
A Cincinnati City Council member, Springer served as the 56th Mayor of Cincinnati from 1977 to 1978.
He then worked as a local news anchor in Cincinnati where he won ten Regional Emmy Awards for commentary.
Springer died of pancreatic cancer on April 27, 2023, at the age of 79.
His show, known for its chaotic swearing and infidelity revelations, became a symbol of low-brow television over the course of almost 5,000 episodes.
Net worth | $60 million |
Profession | Broadcaster, journalist, actor, lawyer, politician |
Date of birth | February 13, 1944 |
Nationality | American |
Background
Springer was the son of Polish Jewish refugees, Richard and Margot Springer, who escaped from Germany during the Holocaust.
His paternal grandmother and great-uncle died at Theresienstadt concentration camp, while his maternal grandmother was gassed at the Chelmno extermination camp.
The family moved to the United States in 1949, settling in the Kew Gardens neighborhood of Queens in New York City.
Springer’s first career after earning a law degree from Northwestern University was in politics.
He worked on the 1968 presidential campaign of Robert F. Kennedy, then ran a failed campaign for US Congress in 1970 before being elected to Cincinnati’s City Council in 1971.
In 1977, Springer was elected mayor of Cincinnati and, under a power-sharing arrangement between his Democratic Party and a third party, served a single one-year term responsibly and effectively.
After serving as mayor, he anchored the news for the NBC affiliate in Cincinnati for 10 years before making the leap to syndicated TV.
Net worth
Springer had an estimated net worth of $60 million.
He earned a substantial salary, reportedly around $8 million annually, particularly during the peak of his career hosting, The Jerry Springer Show.
This controversial talk show, known for its sensational content and outrageous guests, contributed significantly to his financial success.
Additionally, before his TV career, Springer had a background in law and politics, serving as the Mayor of Cincinnati from 1977 to 1978.
Despite the varying estimates, it is evident that Jerry Springer was a wealthy individual, leaving behind a substantial fortune at the time of his passing in April 2023.
Real estate
Springer’s real estate properties include a $6 million mansion in Sarasota, Florida, a $2 million condo in Evanston, Illinois, and a residence in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Sarasota mansion features luxurious interiors and is situated on Bird Key Island.
In Evanston, the condo boasts three bedrooms, custom woodworking and a spacious terrace.
Springer’s Cincinnati property reflects the competitive housing market in the area, with rising home prices and low inventory.
Additionally, Springer was known for his eclectic taste in decor, blending classic elegance with modern elements in his homes.
His properties showcase opulence, sophistication and unique decor pieces, reflecting his vibrant personality and diverse interests.
Political career
Springer’s political career began with a strong foundation in law and politics.
He earned a law degree from Northwestern University and worked as an adviser to Robert Kennedy’s presidential campaign in 1968.
In 1971, Springer was elected to the Cincinnati City Council but resigned in 1974 after admitting to soliciting a sex worker.
However, he won back his council seat in 1975 and served as the Mayor of Cincinnati from 1977 to 1978.
Springer also ran for governor of Ohio in 1982 and 2018 but did not secure the Democratic nomination.
Despite his controversial career, he had a large fanbase from millennials, as his show gained popularity throughout their childhoods, leading to him being dubbed the “millennials’ babysitter”.
Springer’s show was known for its lurid drama and was synonymous with trash TV, but he defended the program as a new television format that encouraged conflict among its guests.
His impact on television was significant, with USA Today citing him as an inspiration for other tabloid talk shows such as Maury and The Steve Wilkos Show.
Springer’s show was a US cultural pariah, synonymous with lurid drama, but his legacy as a television icon remains.
The Jerry Springer Show
The Jerry Springer Show began as a political commentary show but shifted towards tabloid journalism in the mid-1990s, gaining infamy for its lurid subject matter, physical altercations and profanity.
The show featured controversial topics such as adultery, occasional nudity and even physical violence, with critics labeling it as trashy and reflecting a decline in social values.
Despite this, the show became a staple of American daytime television and gained a large fanbase, particularly among millennials.
Springer, who had a background in law and politics, used his hosting ability for various TV and stage roles throughout his career, including hosting America’s Got Talent, Baggage and a live stage version of The Price Is Right.
He also appeared as a guest host for WWE programming and emceed two Miss World and one Miss Universe pageants.
Springer’s show was known for its outrageous cases and often featured guests fighting and hurling profanities at one another, making it synonymous with trash TV.
However, Springer defended the program as a new television format that encouraged conflict among its guests.
Despite its controversial nature, the show became a cultural phenomenon and is often cited as an example of “trash TV” or “tabloid talk.”
Controversies
Springer’s show, which aired from 1991 to 2018, was notorious for its controversial tabloid format, featuring on-stage fights, profanity, nudity and themes like incest and adultery.
Episodes had provocative titles such as I Married a Horse and I’m Happy I Cut Off My Legs.
Springer himself expressed remorse for the series, stating, I just apologise… I’ve ruined the culture.
The show faced criticism for excessive violence and exploiting vulnerable people for entertainment.
In 2002, a woman was murdered hours after appearing on the show, revealing she was sleeping with her violent ex-husband unbeknownst to his new wife.
Springer often hosted racists and Ku Klux Klan members on his show, which was personal to him as the son of Jewish-German refugees who fled the Nazis.
He confronted an antisemitic priest in 1995, telling him to “shut your face”.
Hosting America’s Got Talent
Springer is known for his tenure on The Jerry Springer Show and America’s Got Talent.
He served as the host of America’s Got Talent from 2007 to 2008, following Regis Philbin’s departure.
Springer’s career spans various roles, including news anchor, mayor and game show host.
His impact on television is significant, particularly in the realm of reality television and talk shows.
Despite his departure from America’s Got Talent, his legacy in the entertainment industry continues to be recognized and celebrated.
Producing The Steve Wilkos Show
Springer produced The Steve Wilkos Show, which was a spinoff of The Jerry Springer Show.
Steve Wilkos, who was a security guard on The Jerry Springer Show, was given his own show by Springer in 2007.
Wilkos’ show, which has been on the air for over a decade, has earned an average of 2.1 million daily viewers and is one of only three syndicated talk shows that have delivered year-to-year growth.
The show is known for its serious and grounded approach, in contrast to the more theatrical style of The Jerry Springer Show.
Springer has praised Wilkos for his tough-guy persona and his ability to help people, stating that “Steve became more serious. He was the tough guy who would be in your face… The viewers loved him”.
Appearing on This Morning with Judy Finnigan
In March 1999, Springer appeared on This Morning, a British television show, as a guest presenter alongside Judy Finnigan.
He filled in for Richard Madeley, who was away filming for another program.
This was not the first time Springer had appeared on the show, as he had previously been interviewed by the husband and wife team.
The producers of This Morning emphasized that the show would not be transformed into The Jerry Springer Show, which had been criticized for its controversial content.
Instead, Springer was expected to maintain the sedate style of the show, which was known for its more serious and grounded approach.
This was a departure from Springer’s usual style, which had earned him a reputation for hosting confrontational and sensationalist television.
Performing on The Masked Singer
Springer made a memorable appearance on The Masked Singer, a popular TV show, where he participated as a contestant under the disguise of Beetle.
Despite being eliminated from the show, Springer expressed gratitude for the experience, likening his role to a “filler” act due to the exceptional talent of the other contestants.
He praised the show’s production team, the fun atmosphere, and the impressive work behind the scenes, highlighting the dedication and talent involved in creating the show.
Springer’s appearance on The Masked Singer showcased a different side of his television persona, emphasizing his willingness to engage in diverse entertainment ventures beyond his traditional talk show hosting roles.
Awards and accolades
Springer received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career.
His show, The Jerry Springer Show, garnered critical acclaim and recognition, winning 16 Juno Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy Awards) and receiving five Grammy Award nominations.
Additionally, the show was honored with four Laurence Olivier Awards, along with various Critics Choice awards and other accolades.
Despite the controversial nature of his talk show, Springer’s contributions to television were acknowledged through these prestigious awards, highlighting his impact on the entertainment industry.
Philanthropic works
Springer supported various philanthropic organizations, including those focused on social justice issues and education.
He was involved in advocacy for social justice causes and made significant contributions to charitable initiatives.
One notable example is his support for a charity performance of Jerry Springer – the Opera, where he donated £5,000 to Maggie’s Centres, a cancer charity.
However, the donation was declined due to Christian Voice’s objections.
Springer also had a soft spot for helping children with disabilities, particularly through his daughter’s involvement with Park School in Evanston.
He donated over $200,000 to build a multisensory enrichment space for students at the school and was a generous and selfless individual.
Springer’s philanthropy extended to supporting accessible playgrounds, such as Noah’s Playground for Everyone in Evanston, where he served as the auctioneer and speaker at a fundraising event.
His contributions to various charitable causes demonstrated his commitment to giving back to the community and making a positive impact beyond his television career.
Personal life
Springer was married to Micki Velton, and they had one daughter named Katie Springer.
Katie was born in 1976 and is reportedly legally blind and deaf in one ear. She became a teacher, specializing in assisting children with special needs.
Katie married in December 2006 and is a mother to one son, making Springer a grandfather.
The couple reconciled and were married for 49 years at the time of Jerry’s death, according to his rep.
Death
Springer passed away on April 27, 2023, following a brief illness.
He was 79 years old.
Springer was known for his eponymous TV show, which ran for nearly three decades and focused on controversial topics that often led to on-screen fights.
His show was a cultural phenomenon, leading to the creation of other popular talk shows like Maury and The Steve Wilkos Show.
Springer’s impact on television was significant, earning him 16 Juno Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy) and five Grammy Award nominations.
He was also a philanthropist, supporting various charitable causes throughout his career.
Springer’s death has been met with an outpouring of tributes from celebrities and fans alike, mourning the loss of a television legend.