Legendary Interviewer Larry King Dies At 87

Larry King, the talk show host whose iconic interviews became a staple in the news industry, has died at the age of 87.

King was the host of Larry King Live on CNN for 25 years, interviewing politicians, celebrities and athletes. He was largely seen as responsible for raising the profile of CNN, with his interviews on the network drawing in high ratings.

A statement confirming his death was posting to his official Twitter account on Saturday morning, stating, “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 Center in Los Angeles. 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.”

Although he had been hospitalized in late-December for COVID-19, the statement did not give a cause of death.

King’s three surviving children, Larry King Jr., Chance King and Cannon King, released a statement through Facebook, saying, “We are heartbroken over our father’s death,” the statement read, signed by Larry King Jr., Chance King and Cannon King. “The world knew Larry King as a great broadcaster and interviewer, but to us he was ‘dad.'”

“He was the man who lovingly obsessed over our daily schedules and our well-being, and who took such immense pride in our accomplishments – large, small, or imagined. And through it all, we knew without a doubt in the world that he loved us more than life itself. He was an amazing father, and he was fiercely loyal to those lucky enough to call him a friend. We will miss him every single day of our lives,” the statement read.

King, who was married eight times to seven women, is also survived by his nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.