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Jerry Springer

Jerry Springer

As the host of the number one daytime talk show in America, Jerry Springer is one of the most popular and controversial figures on television today. Both admired and reviled, Springer has managed to galvanize an audience with his bold approach to subjects that hitherto were considered taboo. The one-hour show is now in its eighth year, and is seen in almost every city in the U.S. and over forty countries abroad. It is the first talk show to beat Oprah Winfrey in more than a decade.

Springer culls his experience from a colorful political and journalistic career. After graduating from law school, he signed on as one of Senator Robert F. Kennedy's presidential campaign aides. After Kennedy's assassination, Springer joined a law firm and moved into the political arena. He spearheaded the effort to lower the voting age from 21 to 18, which culminated with his testimony in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of ratification of the 26th Amendment of the Constitution. He was elected Cincinnati's Council-at-Large in 1971, serving five successive years. In 1977, Springer was elected Mayor of Cincinnati by the largest plurality in the city's history. At age 33, he was one of the country's youngest mayors.

Five years later, Springer launched his career in broadcasting as a political reporter and commentator on Cincinnati's WLWT-TV. He became an anchor and managing editor in 1984 and was Cincinnati's top-rated news anchor until he relinquished the post in January 1993. During his tenure, Springer received seven Emmy Awards for his nightly commentaries, the forerunner to his Final Thought, and was voted television's Best Anchor for five consecutive years by readers of Cincinnati Magazine. Of his professional achievements, Springer is most proud of his involvement with Cincinnati Reaches Out, contributing on-site reporting from Ethiopia and Sudan where he documented the effort to provide assistance to famine-stricken Africans.

A humanist who supports numerous charities, Springer serves as Vice President on the board of the National Muscular Dystrophy Association. For three consecutive years, Springer served as co-host of Jerry Lewis' annual Stars Across America Muscular Dystrophy Labor Day Telethon. For several years, he has been on the advisory board of AHHCF, an umbrella foundation to continue Audrey Hepburn's formidable work for needy children around the world. Dedicated to improving the standard of children's education, Springer has established a scholarship fund at Kellman School in Chicago that serves inner-city youth.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2002.

Jerry Springer Facts

Birth Name Gerald Norman Springer
OccupationTV Host, Actor
BirthdayFebruary 13, 1944 (80)
SignAquarius
BirthplaceLondon, England, United Kingdom
Height6' 1" (1m85)  How tall is Jerry Springer compared to you?

Selected Filmography

The Defender (2004)
Citizen Verdict (2003)
Jerry Springer: Too Hot for TV! (2000)
Ringmaster (1998) as Jerry Farrelly
The Jerry Springer Show (1991) tv
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