Advertisement

American talk show host Larry King dies age 87 after testing positive for Covid-19

<p>Larry King at the the 45th International Emmy awards gala in New York in 2017</p> (AFP via Getty Images)

Larry King at the the 45th International Emmy awards gala in New York in 2017

(AFP via Getty Images)

American talk show host Larry King has died at the age of 87 weeks after he tested positive for the coronavirus.

A statement announcing the news was tweeted from his account on Saturday.

It read: "For 63 years and across the platforms of radio, television and digital media, Larry's many thousands of interviews, awards, and global acclaim stand as a testament to his unique and lasting talent as a broadcaster.

"Additionally, while it was his name appearing in the shows' titles, Larry always viewed his interview subjects as the true stars of his programs, and himself as merely an unbiased conduit between the guest and audience.

"Whether he was interviewing a US president, foreign leader, celebrity, scandal-ridden personage, or an everyman, Larry liked to ask short, direct, and uncomplicated questions. He believed concise questions usually provided the best answers, and he was not wrong in that belief."

The TV star was taken to hospital in Los Angeles in late December after testing positive for coronavirus. No cause of death has been given.

The statement continued: "Larry's interviews from his 25-year run on CNN's 'Larry King Live,' and his Ora Media programs 'Larry King Now,' and 'Politicking with Larry King' are consistently referenced by media outlets around the world and remain part of the historical record of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

"Ora Media sends our condolences to his surviving children Larry, Jr, Chance, Cannon and the entire King family.

"Funeral arrangements and a memorial service will be announced later in coordination with the King family, who ask for their privacy at this time."

Star Trek actor George Takei was among the people paying tribute to Larry King following his death aged 87.

He tweeted: "Thanks for the countless interviews and insights, Larry King. You understood human triumph and frailty equally well, and that is no easy feat. There was no one else like you, and you shall be missed. Rest with the heavens now".

Read More

Biden puts US on ‘war footing’ to deliver one million vaccines a day