Larry King, the King of the interview, died at age 87 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles early in the morning of January 23, 2021, as reported by the Associated Press. Though no cause of death was given, the AP had previously reported that King had been hospitalized for more than a week for treatment of COVID-19.

King was known for his off-the-cuff interview style, showcased on CNN’s The Larry King Show for more than 25 years. During that time, CNN says that King interviewed more than 30,000 people, including, says Vanity Fair, notoriously difficult celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando. As news of King’s death got out, celebrities offered their condolences.

Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. said via Twitter, “Larry King, one of the best interviewers ever. I first talked w/him on FL radio. His @CNN interviews made him famous. He could pull a story out of you by asking who, what, where, when, why. He was personable & cared about you. I remember him fondly. He loved Jackie Robinson & Hank Aaron.”

New York governor Andrew Cuomo also tweeted: “Larry King was a Brooklyn boy who [became] a newsman who interviewed the newsmakers. He conducted over 50,000 interviews that informed Americans in a clear and plain way. New York sends condolences to his family and many friends.”

'A broadcasting icon, and a legend period'

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