Springer died at his home in Chicago after being diagnosed with cancer. For decades, his program The Jerry Springer Show was one of the most watched on American television.
His critics accused him of being one of those responsible for the growth of trash TV. Before jumping to television, Springer had made a career in politics, becoming mayor of the city of Cincinnati for a year and with several failed attempts to reach the United States Congress or to opt for the Democratic nomination for governor of the state of Ohio.