American television and radio host Larry King has passed on today aged 87, his company announced on Twitter.
King died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles, Ora Media said in a message posted to King’s Twitter profile. No official cause of death has yet been announced, though King was hospitalised at the start of the month after contracting COVID-19.
“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,” the message wrote.
“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.”
“Additionally, while it was his name appearing in the shows’ titles, Larry always viewed his interview subjects as the true stars of his programs, and himself as merely an unbiased conduit between the guest and audience.”
Message on Larry King’s Twitter Handle @kingsthings
US media had reported earlier this month that King was being treated at the centre for COVID-19. The veteran broadcaster had a series of health setbacks in recent years, including heart attacks and a diabetes diagnosis.
Best known for his eponymous interview show on CNN, King’s broadcasting career stretched 63 years across multiple platforms. His work earned him two Peabodys, an Emmy award, and 10 Cable ACE Awards.
King started off as a radio show host and then moved into television, catapulting into the national and then global spotlight with his Larry King Live show from 1985.
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