The broadcaster Larry King, who was a mainstay on radio talk shows before turning to television and print, died today at the age of 87. The Brooklyn product died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, weeks after it was disclosed that he had contracted the coronavirus. But there has been no announcement about the cause of death.
Before 24-hour cable news took hold in the 1980s, King's late-night and early morning broadcasts on Mutual Radio served as an information source for millions of listeners. The show's call-in format also allowed his King's audience members to discuss major news events, including the death of Elvis Presley in 1977 and the 1980 aborted U.S. helicopter mission to rescue American hostages in Iran.
By the mid-1980s, King augmented his "Larry King Live" stint with other high-profile ventures, including a regular column in USA Today and Sunday duty as a member of NBC Sports' NFL pregame show. A reporter once asked him: "When do you sleep?" His response: "It ain't' easy."
King declared that he did not prepare for interviews with guests. Among his favorite interview subjects was Frank Sinatra, whom the talk show host praised as a person who could explain what he did very well.
King became as famous as many of the people he interviewed. So it was not surprising that he appeared as himself in numerous film and television productions. One of his best moments onscreen was in the1993 comedy/drama "Dave," which featured him with the opinionated director Oliver Stone.
Before 24-hour cable news took hold in the 1980s, King's late-night and early morning broadcasts on Mutual Radio served as an information source for millions of listeners. The show's call-in format also allowed his King's audience members to discuss major news events, including the death of Elvis Presley in 1977 and the 1980 aborted U.S. helicopter mission to rescue American hostages in Iran.
By the mid-1980s, King augmented his "Larry King Live" stint with other high-profile ventures, including a regular column in USA Today and Sunday duty as a member of NBC Sports' NFL pregame show. A reporter once asked him: "When do you sleep?" His response: "It ain't' easy."
King declared that he did not prepare for interviews with guests. Among his favorite interview subjects was Frank Sinatra, whom the talk show host praised as a person who could explain what he did very well.
King became as famous as many of the people he interviewed. So it was not surprising that he appeared as himself in numerous film and television productions. One of his best moments onscreen was in the1993 comedy/drama "Dave," which featured him with the opinionated director Oliver Stone.