Jerry Springer, Daytime Talk Show Icon, Has Passed Away At The Age Of 79

This is going to be a difficult day for all you kids who grew up in the 90s and would watch The Jerry Springer Show while pretending to be too sick to go to school.

Multiple outlets have confirmed that Jerry Springer has died at the age of 79. The talk show host, and former Mayor of Cincinnati, died at his home outside of Chicago following a brief illness.

Family friend/spokesperson, Jene Galvin, released the following statement:

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. He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on. Funeral services and a memorial gathering are currently being developed. To remember Jerry, the family asks that in lieu of flowers you consider following his spirit and make a donation or commit to an act of kindness. As he always said, ‘Take care of yourself, and each other.’

He would always end his show with that line, which was kinda hilarious at the time because he’d say that following 50 minutes of people just yelling and screaming at each other. Spouses cheating, weird love triangles, baby mama drama, fist fights, and then he’d sit down and talk to the camera, give some heartfelt speech and end it with, “Take care of yourself, and each other.”

The Jerry Springer Show ran for 28 seasons, from 1991 all the way to 2018.

He starred in the reality TV series Judge Jerry following the end of his talk show. At the time, Springer joked to PEOPLE the judging series was his first ‘grown-up job’ in the 30 years since The Jerry Springer Show began.

According to insiders, it’s believed the “brief illness” Springer was suffering from was pancreatic cancer. Insiders say he was diagnosed only a few months ago and apparently it hit him fast and hard.

Our thoughts go out to his friends and family. He was one of the best to do it.