Larry King, born Larry Harvey Zeiger on November 19, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York, was an American television and radio host, author, and columnist. He gained widespread interest and fame for his long-running talk show, Larry King Live, which aired on CNN for over 25 years.
Before becoming a household name, King began his career in broadcasting in the 1950s. One interesting fact about King is that he changed his last name from Zeiger to King because his boss at the time believed that Zeiger sounded too ethnic for a radio host. This name change marked the beginning of his rise to success in the media industry.
Throughout his career, King conducted interviews with a wide range of guests, from world leaders and celebrities to everyday people with extraordinary stories to share. His warm and conversational interviewing style made him a beloved figure in the world of television journalism.
In addition to his work on Larry King Live, King made regular appearances on various television and radio programs, as well as writing a column for USA Today. He authored several books, including his memoir, My Remarkable Journey, which delved into his personal life and career in the spotlight.
King's personal life was as colorful as his professional one. He was known for his multiple marriages, having tied the knot a total of eight times with seven different women. His long list of wives included Freda Miller, Annette Kaye, Mickey Sutphin, Alene Akins, Sharon Lepore, Julie Alexander, and Shawn Southwick. His relationship with Shawn Southwick, whom he was married to for over 20 years, was one of the most publicized and tumultuous of his marriages.
The couple had two children together, Chance and Cannon, adding to King's existing brood of three children from previous marriages named Andy, Chaia, and Larry Jr. King's family life was often under scrutiny, with his high-profile divorces and personal struggles playing out in the public eye.
In 2010, after more than two decades on the air, King made the decision to retire from Larry King Live. His final episode featured an emotional interview with singer Barbra Streisand, marking the end of an era in television talk shows.
Following his retirement, King remained active in the media industry, making guest appearances on various programs and events. In 2011, British journalist Piers Morgan was selected to take over King's time slot on CNN, continuing the legacy of the iconic talk show host.
In 2019, King filed for divorce from his then-wife Shawn Southwick, marking the end of another chapter in his tumultuous personal life. Despite the ups and downs, King's legacy as a pioneering interviewer and media personality remains intact, leaving behind a lasting impact on the world of television journalism.