US TV legend Larry King dies at 87

US TV legend Larry King has died at the age of 87 after recently being hospitalised with coronavirus.

American television host and Emmy award winner Larry King has died at the age of 87.

His death was announced on Twitter by his company, Ora Media, who confirmed King had passed away early Saturday morning (local time) in Los Angeles.

“It is 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 Centre in Los Angeles.”

No cause of death was given but King had been hospitalised in recent weeks after testing positive to coronavirus.

Larry King reckoned he interviewed 60,000 people over his career. Picture: AFP

Over the course of his career, King interviewed presidents, prime ministers and members of royalty.

“We mourn the passing of our colleague Larry King,” said CNN president Jeff Zucker in a statement posted to Twitter.

“The scrappy young man from Brooklyn had a history-making career spanning radio and television. His curiosity about the world propelled his award-winning career in broadcasting, but it was his generosity of spirit that drew the world to him.

“We are so proud of the 25 years he spent with CNN, where his newsmaker interviews truly put the network on the international stage. From our CNN family to Larry’s, we send our thoughts and prayers, and a promise to carry on his curiosity for the world in our work.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who King interviewed numerous times, offered his condolences on the broadcaster’s death, the Kremlin’s spokesman said.

“King repeatedly interviewed Putin. The president has always appreciated his great professionalism and unquestioned journalistic authority,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by state RIA Novosti news agency.

pic.twitter.com/x0Hl0X6vqU

— Larry King (@kingsthings) January 23, 2021

US TV STAPLE

King, with his trademark suspenders and black rim glasses, had long been a staple on American television. He was best known for a 25-year run as a talk-show host on CNN’s Larry King Live. At its height, the show drew 1.5 million viewers a night.

“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,” Ora Media said in their Twitter statement.

Larry King gives a speech for Donald Trump after the former US President received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007. Picture: AFP

And over the course of those many decades in radio and TV broadcasting, the host mingled with the famous and infamous, as well as members of the public.

“He treated every guest the same. It didn’t matter if it was a president or somebody off the street,” King’s former executive producer, Wendy Walker, said.

Ms Walker added that King “never wanted to be prepared” for interviews.

Indeed, King reckoned that he had interviewed well over 60,000 people, and when his run on CNN came to an end in 2010, he moved to the internet with Larry King Now, a daily online talk show, while he also became an active Twitter presence.

In May, King also announced plans to enter the world of podcasting.

Larry King and his wife Shawn Southwick with their sons Chance and Cannon in 2003. Picture: AFP

But King also endured tragedy. In 2020, two of King’s adult children – son Andy and daughter Chaia – died within weeks of each other. Andy King, 65, died of a heart attack last July and Chaia King, 51, died of lung cancer in August.

Despite the family tragedies, King continued to release new episodes of his YouTube series Larry King Now, with the most recent episode airing just two weeks ago.

Larry King shakes the hand of Russian President Vladimir Putin before an interview in 2000. Picture: AFP

He also fought numerous health battles: 30 years after undergoing quintuple heart bypass surgery, which made him to quit a lifelong three-pack-a-day cigarette habit and lose weight, a 2017 medical check-up revealed a cancerous lung tumour that was removed with surgery.

King also revealed he had a stroke in March 2019, after which he was in a coma for weeks and even contemplated taking his own life.

“I thought I was going to bite the bullet; I didn’t want to live this way,” he told a Los Angeles news station. In April of that year, he had an angioplasty after complaining of chest pains. But again, he recovered and kept working.

King vowed never to retire and he kept interviewing until his health declined recently.

Larry King interviews George and Laura Bush in 2000. Picture: AFP

CELEBS PAY TRIBUTE

Celebrities across Hollywood, sport and politics have paid tribute to King after his death was announced on Saturday (local time).

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey tweeted “it was always a treat to sit at your table and hear your stories. Thank you.”

Former American Idol host Ryan Seacrest lauded his “dear friend and mentor”, while rapper 50 Cent described King as a “legend”, adding “God bless him”.

Director Kevin Smith called it an “honour” to be interviewed by King.

Even the broadcaster’s beloved Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team posted a tribute to the 87-year-old.

It was always a treat to sit at your table. And hear your stories. Thank you Larry King. pic.twitter.com/O66uEXeJE4

— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) January 23, 2021

I lost a dear friend and mentor. Truly an American treasure. Rest in peace, Larry King. pic.twitter.com/eQhSYgPqNy

— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) January 23, 2021

R.i.P To the legend Larry King God bless him. 🙏🏿🕊 pic.twitter.com/2BwiN5O2rb

— 50cent (@50cent) January 23, 2021

RIP to radio/TV/digital news legend @kingsthings. It was an honor to watch you do your thing, both on @CNN and in person. My Dad always asked me “Did you see who Larry King talked to last night?” Would’ve blown his mind to know that, one day, it would be his son. Thanks for that. pic.twitter.com/OTQrEar3c4

— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) January 23, 2021

The Los Angeles Dodgers are saddened by the passing of Larry King and offer their deepest condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/Di0aw7LZ5R

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 23, 2021

Larry King was a giant of broadcasting and a master of the TV celebrity/statesman-woman interview.

His name is synonymous with CNN and he was vital to the network’s ascent. EVERYONE wanted to be on Larry King Live. May he Rest in Peace.https://t.co/XTgeMqjmcg

— Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) January 23, 2021

But controversial British personality, Piers Morgan was slammed for his “insulting” tribute to King. Morgan replaced King on CNN in 2010 leading to tension between the two.

“Larry King was a hero of mine until we fell out after I replaced him at CNN & he said my show was ‘like watching your mother-in-law go over a cliff in your new Bentley.’ (He married 8 times so a mother-in-law expert) But he was a brilliant broadcaster & masterful TV interviewer,” Morgan wrote via Twitter.

Larry King was a hero of mine until we fell out after I replaced him at CNN & he said my show was ‘like watching your mother-in-law go over a cliff in your new Bentley.’ (He married 8 times so a mother-in-law expert) But he was a brilliant broadcaster & masterful TV interviewer. pic.twitter.com/1JsXeeZYEk

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 23, 2021

According to the New York Post, the sentiment didn’t sit well with some of King’s fans, who immediately called out Morgan for the insensitive message.

“The fact that you had to wait till Larry King passed to post this drivel speaks volumes of your character,” one tweeter wrote while another added, “So unnecessary, the mans dead. What are you achieving by insulting him, other than possibly upsetting his family?”

Several others accused the 55-year-old of attempting to make King’s death all about him.

“Piers Morgan is the ultimate (and quite frankly most annoying) narcissist. It’s insufferable. Nothing can happen without it somehow relating to him and his pathetic life. A man just died. F***ing hell,” wrote another frustrated Twitter user.