[HIGHLIGHTS] American host Jerry Springer, famous for his controversial shows, has died

American host Jerry Springer died Thursday, April 27, at the age of 79, reported several American media. Springer died peacefully in Chicago after "a short illness," TMZ reported, citing a family source.

It would be pancreatic cancer, diagnosed a few months ago, other sources told TMZ. He was famous for his controversial broadcasts peppered with swearing, vulgarities and physical altercations. He ran unsuccessfully for the US Congress in 1970, before being elected mayor of Cincinnati in the state of Ohio, in the north-east of the United States.