Jerry Springer, iconic talk show host, dead at 79

Jerry Springer, longtime talk show host and former Cincinnati Mayor, has died. He was 79.

According to a statement from his family, Springer died peacefully at his home in suburban Chicago this week after a brief illness.

“Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word,” Jene Galvin, a lifelong friend and spokesman for the family, said in a statement. “He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.”

"The Jerry Springer Show" 20th Anniversary Show Taping NEW YORK - OCTOBER 11: TV Host Jerry Springer celebrates the taping of "The Jerry Springer Show" 20th anniversary show at Military Island, Times Square on October 11, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

DNC 2016: Ted Strickland, Jerry Springer speak to Ohio delegates Talk show host Jerry Springer, the former mayor of Cincinnati, is scheduled to speak at this morning’s Ohio delegation breakfast. LISA POWELL/STAFF FILE PHOTO

Jerry Springer endorses Turner at Dayton event Jerry Springer endorsed Ohio Sen. Nina Turner for Ohio Secretary of State. Staff photo by Steven Matthews

Jerry Springer Talks Of Re-Entering Politics OXFORD, OH - FEBRUARY 13: Talk show host Jerry Springer flashes a peace sign while holding up a t-shirt given to him after a speach at Miami University February 13, 2003 in Oxford, Ohio. Springer, a former Democratic mayor of Cincinnati, says he's thinking about getting back into politics. (Photo by Mike Simons/Getty Images) (Mike Simons/Getty Images)

President Obama Discusses Economy At Cincinnati Campaign Event CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 16: Former Cincinnati mayor and talk show host Jerry Springer waves to people in the crowd as he sits down before the start of a campaign event where U.S. President Barack Obama spoke about the economy July 16, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Obama discussed his plan to restore middle class security by paying down our debt in a way that ensures everyone pays their fair share and still invests in the things we need to create jobs and grow our economy over the long term. (Photo by Jay LaPrete/Getty Images) (Jay LaPrete/Getty Images)

Cincinnati Police Officer Not Guilty in Shooting Death 394975 09: Talk show host Jerry Springer stops to sign autographs for protesters September 26, 2001 at Cincinnati City Hall. The protesters were at City Hall in reaction to the not guilty verdict of Cincinnati Police Officer Stephen Roach. Roach faced two misdemeanor charges in the shooting death of Timothy Thomas in April. The shooting of Thomas led to a week of racial unrest in the city. (Photo by Mike Simons/Getty Images) (Mike Simons/Getty Images)

2012 Ripple Of Hope Gala - Arrivals NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 03: TV host Jerry Springer attends the 2012 Ripple Of Hope Gala at The New York Marriott Marquis on December 3, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Jerry Springer WASHINGTON DC - APRIL 26: Wolf Blitzer and Jerry Springer attend the White House Correspondent's Dinner after-party hosted by Bloomberg News at the Trade Ministry of the Russian Federation April 26, 2003 in Washington DC. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) (Evan Agostini)

New York Yankees v Tampa Bay Rays ST PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 18: Jerry Springer throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 18, 2014 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Scott Iskowitz/Getty Images) (Scott Iskowitz/Getty Images)

Jessica Alba And Katrina Bowden Visit SiriusXM NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 19: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) TV personality Jerry Springer visits 'Sway in the Morning' on Eminem's Shade 45 Channel at SiriusXM Studio on January 19, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images) (Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

BritWeek 2012's "Evening With Piers Morgan" - Arrivals BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MAY 04: TV hosts Jerry Springer and Piers Morgan arrive to BritWeek 2012's "Evening with Piers Morgan" on May 4, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Paula Abdul Appears On "The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson" LOS ANGELES - APRIL 24: (L-R) Jerry Springer and host Craig Ferguson speak during a segment of "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" at CBS Television City on April 24, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Jerry Springer LONDON - MAY 28: Television show host Jerry Springer poses during a photocall on May 28, 2004 in London, England. Springer will join Capital Gold radio station for one week as a special guest DJ. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) (Scott Barbour�׿�˻��g��)

Jerry Springer and Jay Leno BURBANK, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Talk Show Host Jerry Springer and Host Jay Leno talk during the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios September 12, 2003 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

American Bandstand's 50th..A Celebration - Day 3 Jerry Springer and Jane Wiedlin join an all-star group to perform at the taping of "American Bandstand's 50th...A Celebration" at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Ca. Sunday, April 21, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Jerry Springer Announces He Will Not Run For Senate COLUMBUS, OH - AUGUST 6: Talk show host Jerry Springer announces that he will not seek a U.S. Senate seat August 6, 2003 in Columbus, Ohio. Springer had contemplated a run as a Democrat against GOP Senator George Voinovich. (Photo by Mike Simons/Getty Images) (Mike Simons/Getty Images)

Jerry Springer Announces He Will Not Run For Senate COLUMBUS, OH - AUGUST 6: Talk show host Jerry Springer announces that he will not seek a U.S. Senate seat during a news conference August 6, 2003 in Columbus, Ohio. Springer had contemplated a run as a Democrat against Republican Senator George Voinovich. (Photo by Mike Simons/Getty Images) (Mike Simons/Getty Images)

Democratic Convention Kicks Off BOSTON, MA - JULY 26: Talk show host Jerry Springer, a delegate from Ohio, applauds speakers during the Democratic National Convention at the FleetCenter July 26, 2004 in Boston, Massachusetts. Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) is expected to accept his party's nomination later in the week. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

57th Annual Miss Universe 2008 Competition NHA TRANG, VIET NAM - JULY 14: Hosts Jerry Springer and Mel B of the Spice Girls performs on stage during the 57th Annual Miss Universe Competition at the Crown Convention Centre on July 14, 2008 in Nha Trang, Vietnam. (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images) (Handout/Getty Images)

57th Annual Miss Universe 2008 Competition NHA TRANG, VIET NAM - JULY 14: Hosts Jerry Springer and Mel B on stage with the Miss Universe Semi Finalists during the 57th Annual Miss Universe Competition at the Crown Convention Centre on July 14, 2008 in Nha Trang, Vietnam. (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images) (Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)

57th Annual Miss Universe 2008 Competition NHA TRANG, VIET NAM - JULY 14: (L-R) Miss Colombia Taliana Vargas, Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza crowned Miss Universe 2008, Miss Dominian Republic Marianne Cruz Gonzalez, Miss Mexico Elisa Narjera, Miss Russia Vera Krasova, with Hosts Jerry Springer and Mel B on stage during the 57th Annual Miss Universe Competition at the Crown Convention Centre on July 14, 2008 in Nha Trang, Vietnam. (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images) (Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)

Springer hosted his tabloid talk show, “The Jerry Springer Show”, from 1991 until 2018. The show was known for focusing on controversial or taboo topics, with discussions often ending in physical, profanity-filled fights.

Writing for Cox Media Group’s National Content Desk, Theresa Seiger says Springer later told the Bleacher Report his show was “escapist entertainment.” Over the years, some critics said it contributed to a moral decline in the U.S.

“Jerry Springer” reached millions of viewers and aired more than 4,000 episodes with titles including “Stripper Sex Turned Me Straight” and “Hooking Up With My Therapist,” The Associated Press reported.

Before becoming a talk show host, Springer served as Cincinnati’s mayor after years spent on the city council, The AP added. He sought the Democratic nomination for Ohio governor in 1982 and lost..

On Thursday, a family spokesperson confirmed to multiple outlets that Springer had been diagnosed with cancer a few months ago and “this week, he took a turn for the worse.”

He is survived by his wife, Micki Velton, and daughter Katie, Variety reported.