Jerry Springer shared last wish with fans in heartbreaking final message before sudden death at 79
JERRY Springer’s final Twitter post has been revealed – and the tender message wished fans “hope, love, joy, and laughter” just months before his death.
The TV star died at his home in suburban Chicago on Thursday at the age of 79.
Jerry‘s last personal post on Twitter was on December 31, 2022.
“Wishing you a happy and healthy 2023, full of hope, love, joy, and laughter #HappyNewYear2023,” he tweeted.
His final post was an announcement about him being on a radio show with his friend, Jene Galvin Folk.
“The Jerry Springer and Jene Galvin Folk Hour! Starting Sunday, February 5 at nine in the morning, you can have breakfast and listen to folk music from the 1960s that literally shaped a culture, all on Cincinnati’s WMKV (89.3 FM). #Radio #folkmusic #jerryspringer,” Jerry captioned it, alongside a picture of the two of them.
That post was made on January 30, the only time he posted to social media this year, which could have signaled his declining health.
The daytime talk show host did not appear to have an official Instagram, although one did exist for his canceled show, which is still active.
‘IRREPLACEABLE’
Jerry died on Thursday, just months after being diagnosed with cancer.
His family confirmed to local NBC affiliate WLWT.
“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,” Jene Galvin, a lifelong friend and spokesman for the family,” told the outlet.
“He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.”
A cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
The iconic talk show host was diagnosed with cancer just months before his death as the diagnosis took a turn for the worse this week, a family spokesperson told TMZ.
Jerry hosted the hit syndicated and controversial talk show The Jerry Spring Show, which ran for 27 years on NBC and CW.
After receiving low ratings during its first season in 1991 due to its focus on political issues, the show’s structure took a complete turn in the mid-1990s.
The Jerry Springer Show became highly popular for its topics on incest and adultery, featuring moments of profanity and guests participating in physical fights and nudity.
UNMASKED TALENT
Jerry made his last appearance on an episode of The Masked Singer, just a few months before his death.
He wore a beetle costume on the FOX game show when he was eliminated in October 2022.
In a clip from the episode posted to YouTube, the crowd quickly began chanting the star’s name once his identity was revealed.
The judges sang his praises, but Jerry remained humble.
“When I sing, people get involved because they have to guess where the notes were supposed to have been,” he said.
“It’s like interactive.”
Although he was semi-retired at the time, the TV star told host Nick Cannon he decided to do the program because it sounded fun, TV Insider reported.
“And my grandson would really get a kick out of it,” he said.
But Springer said singing in front of a crowd with an elaborate costume on was a challenge.
“Seeing was the most difficult part,” he said.
“You sweat unbelievably, so there’s sweat going into your eyes… The eyes in the head didn’t remain where my eyes are, and so I couldn’t see and I don’t know where I’m walking.”
Jerry also appeared on Dancing With The Stars in 2006, and was partnered with Kym Johnson on Season Three.