Jerry Springer , Dead at 79.br TMZ reports that the popular TV host and former mayor of Cincinnati died on April 27 at his home in Chicago following a brief illness. .br Sources tell TMZ that Springer was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few months ago.br Springer was best known for br 'The Jerry Springer Show,' which debuted br in 1991 and ran for 27 years.br It became a cultural phenomenon. At one point, the controversial production was more popular than 'The Oprah Winfrey Show.'.br On his Twitter page, Springer jokingly br referred to himself as, “Talk show host, ringmaster of civilization’s end.”.br Prior to his successful TV career, Springer served br one term as the mayor of Cincinnati in 1977.br His last TV appearance was on br 'The Masked Singer' in October 2022.br Jene Galvin, a family spokesperson, issued a statement about his friend's death.br Jerry’s ability to connect with people br was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on br the street who wanted a photo or a word, Jene Galvin, a family spokesperson, via Associated Press.