Jerry Springer

Photo of Jerry Springer

Biography

For better or worse, Jerry Springer revolutionized television, foisting upon the airwaves some of the most garish, freakish, self-involved slices of Americana the nation and world had ever witnessed. In the 1990s, "The Jerry Springer Show" (syndicated, 1990- ) became synonymous for mining the underbelly of American society for its looniest and loudest denizens, showcasing them on a daytime televised circus of which he dubbed himself …
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Job Title

Actor, Producer, Writer, Music, Other

Born

Gerald Norman Springer on February 13, 1944 in London, England, GB

Career Milestones

Announced his bid for Ohio congressional seat; three days later, Army reservist Springer was called to active duty and sent to Fort Knox, KY

Upon his discharge four months later, resumed his bid, but lost by a modest margin

1939

Parents fled to London from Nazi Germany

1949

Family emigrated to the United States when Springer was five years old

1968

Became a political campaign aide to Senator Robert F. Kennedy

1969

Joined a Cincinnati law firm and became active in local referendum to lower Ohio's voting age to 19

1971

Won a seat on the Cincinnati city council

1974

Forced to resign after admitting to hiring a prostitute; came clean to stunned news reporters at a press conference

1977

Received more votes than any other councilman (largest plurality in city's history), becoming mayor of Cincinnati

1981

Stepped down as mayor of Cincinnati

1982

Lost Ohio Democratic gubernatorial primary

1982

Was political reporter and commentator for Cincinnati's WLWT-TV (Channel 5)

1984

Became news anchor and managing editor at WLWT-TV

1991

Hosted syndicated talk show, "The Jerry Springer Show"; launched show in Cincinnati, moving it to Chicago a year later

1994

Revamped the format of "The Jerry Springer Show" in order to garner higher ratings

1995

Released country album, Dr. Talk; wrote title cut during a plane ride

1998

Portrayed his own talk show host character in the film, "Ringmaster"

1998

Released his autobiography, Ringmaster

1999

Had a cameo appearance in "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" as himself

2005

Starred with Armand Assante in the film, "Citizen Verdict"

2006

Joined the third season of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars"

2009

Will make his West End stage debut in London's "Chicago" as Billy Flynn