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Jerry Springerwas best known for hosting his namesake talk show, but fans may have forgotten about the late star’s turn onDancing with the Stars. As his friends and fan mournSpringer’s death, PEOPLE is looking back at his time in the ballroom.
Springer previously strapped on his dancing shoes for the show’s third season in 2006. At the time, he was partnered with pro dancerKym Johnson-Herjavec.
Among their many routines, the pair performed a fieryPaso DobletoCharlotte Church’s “Habañera” and alovely routine to Patti Page’s “Tennessee Waltz.”
In fact, lateDWTS’sLen Goodman(who himselfdiedearlier this week at age 78), offered some insight on Springer’s personal drive to survive the competition’s weekly eliminations during achat with PEOPLElast November. Springer was “hoping to stay in [the competition] long enough so he could learn to waltz and dance it at his daughter’s wedding,” Goodman recalled as he named the talk show host one of the show’s most memorable competitors in Goodman’s 31 seasons as head judge.
Even though his scores averaged out to 20.8, Springer’s dedicated fanbase made him something of a dark horse in the competition, and their votes took him all the way to the top 5 before he was eliminated in fifth place.
Later reflecting on his time on the series, Springer said it “turned out to be really fun.”
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On April 27, PEOPLE confirmed Springerdiedin a suburb of Chicago after a “brief illness.” He was 79.
“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,” family friend and spokesman Jene Galvin said in a statement to PEOPLE. “He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on.”
The statement continued, “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 to someone in need or a worthy advocacy organization. As he always said, ‘Take care of yourself, and each other.'”
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Springer was also the 56th mayor of Cincinnati during the 1970s. His political career occurred before he found success in television.
source: people.com
