Hollywood is remembering beloved television host Larry King, who died at age 87, as an “American treasure.”
The long-time celebrity interviewer, whose Saturday death was announced by his production company Ora Media, had recently been hospitalized with COVID-19, however his cause of death has not been provided. In recent years, King also suffered from cancer, heart problems and a stroke. Although he stepped away from his CNN show Larry King Live in 2010, his colleagues and celebrities, many of whom he interviewed over the show’s 25-year run, recalled him fondly.
“There are ‘friends’ in this industry and then there are real friends for whom I can count on one hand,” The View co-host Meghan McCain wrote on Instagram. “Larry was one of those people. From the beginning of my career when I first appeared on his show when I was 23 and no one took me seriously, he gave me a platform, opportunities, guidance, support and always treated me with the upmost respect.” McCain said King provided “the best career advice” with his “acerbic sense of humor” and called him a “constant gentlemen.” She added, “TV is less interesting without you.”
Ryan Seacrest posted, “I lost a dear friend and mentor. Truly an American treasure.” While Nancy Grace wrote, “RIP Larry King. You did so much for me.”
Bravo host Andy Cohen tweeted, “RIP Larry King!!!! I loved the easy breezy format of his CNN show and his amazing voice.” And Katie Couric called him a “broadcasting legend.”
“R.I.P To the legend Larry King God bless him,” tweeted rapper 50 Cent. And New York governor Andrew Cuomo wrote, “Larry King was a Brooklyn boy who become a newsman who interviewed the newsmakers. He conducted over 50,000 interviews that informed Americans in a clear and plain way. New York sends condolences to his family and many friends.”
And Piers Morgan wrote, “Larry King was a hero of mine until we fell out after I replaced him at CNN & he said my show was ‘like watching your mother-in-law go over a cliff in your new Bentley.’ (He married 8 times so a mother-in-law expert) But he was a brilliant broadcaster & masterful TV interviewer.”
RIP Larry King!!!! I loved the easy breezy format of his CNN show, and his amazing voice.
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) January 23, 2021
Larry King was a Brooklyn boy who become a newsman who interviewed the newsmakers. He conducted over 50,000 interviews that informed Americans in a clear and plain way.
New York sends condolences to his family and many friends.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 23, 2021
Former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson tweeted that King “was a glue that helped hold things together” and praised his non-partisan platform. “He set a high bar,” she wrote. And late-night television host Craig Ferguson wrote, “Just heard the awful news about Larry King. He taught me so much. He was a true mensch. He probably even taught me that word. So long pal, thanks for all the laughs…”
The Larry King show was a glue that helped hold things together. “I wonder who’s on Larry King tonight?” didn’t have a Left or Right feel; the show was a smart, non-contentious family conversation we had each night. Was on it several times and he was great. He set a high bar. RIP
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) January 23, 2021
Larry King was a legendary radio and tv pioneer. I always loved doing his tv shows and occasionally he would ask me to guest host while he was on vacation. One with Jack Hanna and animals from the Columbus Zoo remains a favorite. Larry will be missed but he left fond memories.
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) January 23, 2021
Just heard the awful news about Larry King. He taught me so much. He was a true mensch. He probably even taught me that word.
So long pal, thanks for all the laughs. Say hi to Rickles. #RIPLarryKing— Craig Ferguson (@CraigyFerg) January 23, 2021
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