Larry King, Iconic Radio and Television Personality, Dead at 87

By: Adam Beam 1/30/21

Photo Courtesy: Victor Spinelli/WireImage/Getty Images

The entertainment world is still reeling from the passing of Larry King. The iconic radio host was 87 years old when he passed away on January 23 after three decades in the industry.

King had a prolific career, with interviews ranging from Hollywood royalty like Marlon Brando, to every president since Gerald Ford. Even after King retired in 2010, he would leave behind 6,000 episodes of content, and continued to pop up in several forms of media.

King’s passing was announced on Facebook that morning by his son Chance on King’s official Facebook page, saying, "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.”

For years, King struggled with a number of health issues. He suffered multiple heart attacks, which led to the creation of The Larry King Cardiac Foundation. In 2017, King had revealed his diagnosis with lung cancer, though with surgery, it was treated successfully.

Even after two of his adult children, Andy King and Chaia King, died within weeks of each other, he always remained in good spirits.

It was revealed, however, that King was admitted to Cedars-Sinai in late December due to COVID-19, but it has not yet been confirmed if it had anything to do with King’s passing.

Following his death, hundreds of King’s former guests spoke out to give their condolences. One of these celebrities was comedian Billy Crystal, who had a close relationship with King. Crystal described King as a "one of a kind human being", and he was “like a relative”.

Larry King is survived by three sons, Larry King Jr., Chance King and Cannon King.