Larry King, host of popular US talk show, whose broadcast interviews with world leaders and movie stars helped define American conversation for a half-century, died today. He was 87 years old. King was hospitalised with COVID-19 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Larry King began his career in the late 1950s as a newspaper journalist and Miami DJ. In 1978, King launched his nationwide Larry King Show broadcast, which he continued to host even after his Larry King Live television show began airing on CNN in 1985.
King set himself apart with the curiosity he brought in his celebrity interviews, political debates and topical discussions. He conducted an estimated 50,000 on-air interviews. King boasted of never over-preparing for an interview. His non-confrontational style relaxed his guests and made him readily relatable to his audience.
King was known for getting guests who were tougher to get and tougher to interview. After a gala week marking his 25th anniversary in June 2010, King abruptly announced he was retiring from his show.
