Larry King died at the age of 87. His son Chance Armstrong and his production company Ora Media confirmed that the talk show host has died on Saturday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Three weeks ago, King was hospitalized with COVID-19, but his official cause of death has not been confirmed.
King is best known for his Larry King Live TV interview show, which has aired on CNN for more than 25 years. On his long-term program, King interviewed numerous celebrities, Athletes, movie stars, politicians and business icons as well as non-famous people. King retired from hosting his TV show in 2010.
Stay up to date
Get the latest tech stories every weekday with CNET Daily News.
"For 63 years and on radio, television and digital media platforms, Larry's many thousands of interviews, awards and worldwide recognition are testament to his unique and enduring talent as a broadcaster," said Ora Media in one Explanation Posted on King's Twitter account.
King had a number of serious health problems throughout his life, including multiple heart attacks. He underwent five-fold bypass surgery in 1987, which inspired him to start the Larry King Cardiac Foundation to help people without insurance. King was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017 but appeared to have beaten him.
In a statement on Saturday, CNN President Jeff Zucker spoke of "the shabby young man from Brooklyn".
"His curiosity about the world fueled his award-winning broadcasting career," said Zucker, "but it was his generosity of spirit that drew the world to him."
King conducted an estimated 50,000 on-air interviews. His casual way of interviewing guests made him a sought-after journalist. Celebrities promoting their latest movies, TV shows, and books would appear on his show, as would various world leaders, business tycoons, politicians, activists, and others. His show also involved thousands of phone calls from viewers watching at home.
Fellow journalists and celebrities have paid their respects online.
Television journalist Keith Olbermann tweeted "My friend Larry King has died ... While he was easily caricatured, I have never known anyone who made a bigger deal out of the slightest kindness they were given."
... Larry called ESPN Radio and said he wanted to "thank the kid who made the impression of me".
During the '00 NL Playoffs, I anchor prep and wrap in my office at Fox in LA and the phone rings. "OLBERMANN! HALLLO! "He makes an impression of me as I embody him
- Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) January 23, 2021
CNN Chief International Anchor Christiane Amanpour tweeted "Larry King was a broadcasting giant and a master of television interviews with celebrities / statesmen. His name is synonymous with CNN and he was instrumental in the rise of the network. Everyone wanted to be on Larry King Live. May he rest. " Peace."
Larry King was a broadcasting giant and a master of television interviews between celebrities and statesmen.
His name is synonymous with CNN and he was instrumental in the network's rise. Everyone wanted to be on Larry King Live. May he rest in peace https://t.co/XTgeMqjmcg
- Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) January 23, 2021
Filmmaker Kevin Smith tweeted "RIP to radio / TV / digital news legend Larry King. It's been an honor to see you do your thing, both on CNN and in person. My dad always asked me, 'Did you see who Larry King was with spoke last night? ' Would have blown him to know that one day it would be his son. Thanks for that. "
RIP for the radio / TV / digital news legend @kingsthings. It's been an honor to watch you do your thing @CNN and personal. My father always asked me, "Did you see who Larry King was talking to last night?" Would have blown him to know that one day it would be his son. Thanks for that. pic.twitter.com/OTQrEar3c4
- KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) January 23, 2021
Others also used social media to celebrate King's long legacy.
I was a huge Larry King fan. I admired and loved his personality, his style and his work as a journalist and interviewer. I always wanted to be a guest on his show and was disappointed that the timing never worked out. was irreplaceable when he left CNN. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/NAz1o0zobd
- Pee-Wee Herman (@peeweeherman) January 23, 2021
Larry King pioneered the live interview environment that we now take for granted - where you weren't exactly sure the entire chat wasn't going to just burn. That's why they fumble with @ JerrySeinfeld remains timeless. 🔥
"Larry King Live" (November 1st, 2007) pic.twitter.com/SGcRfjZSMy
- Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla) January 23, 2021
Larry was so so so so good to me. He has helped me a lot in my career. "Larry King, broadcasting pioneer and legendary talk show host, dies at 87 - Fox News https://t.co/RikcvmR4Fh
- Greta Van Susteren (@greta) January 23, 2021
Larry King was a legendary radio and television pioneer. I've always loved doing his television shows and on occasion he would ask me to host a guest while he was on vacation. One with Jack Hanna and animals from the Columbus Zoo remains a favorite. We'll miss Larry, but he left fond memories.
- Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) January 23, 2021
Larry King was a hero of mine until we dropped out after I replaced him on CNN and he said my show was "like watching your mother-in-law drive over a cliff in your new Bentley." (He married 8 times, so a mother-in-law expert) But he was a brilliant broadcaster and a masterful television interviewer. pic.twitter.com/1JsXeeZYEk
- Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 23, 2021