Larry King is an award-winning broadcaster best known for his interview program on CNN, Larry King Live.
King attended public schools in Brooklyn, New York. He lived in several areas of New York City including Bensonhurst. His parents, Jennie and Eddie Zeiger, owned a bar and grill. He had a brother who died at the age of six of appendicitis and another brother, Marty. After King graduated from high school, he worked several odd jobs and as a mail clerk.
At 22, King left New York for Miami to pursue a career in radio. His first job was as a task-man at WAHR, a small station in Miami Beach. When a long-time announcer quit, they allowed King some air time. He was a disk jockey, newscaster, and sportscaster, earning $55 weekly. He was given the name Larry King by the stations general manager, who thought his former name, Zeiger, was too ethnic. Later, he began doing interviews on WIOD at a Pumpernik's restaurant in Miami Beach. Interviewing was a natural talent for King. He became a community star. In May 1960, he began hosting Miami Undercover, which aired every Sunday evening.
In the early 70s King was arrested and charged with grand larceny over dealings with Louis Wolfson. In 1968, Wolfson was convicted of selling unregistered stock. King promised to arrange an investigation by John Mitchell to overturn his conviction. In return, Wolfson paid King $48,000. However, King never followed through, and couldn't repay the money. When released from prison, Wolfson went after King. Later, the larceny charge was dropped, because the statute of limitations had run out. During this time, King was off the air for three years; he worked as a PR director at a race track and did some article writing for Esquire Magazine.
He was rehired to radio, eventually, and went national in 1978. He became the host on a nightly talk show on Mutual Radio Network. The show was wildly successful, earning King a reputation for being an excellent host and interviewer, and ran until 1994. The debut of his CNN show was in 1985; they claim that King has interviewed over 40,000 people.
King suffered a heart attack and quintuple-bypass surgery in February, 1987. He was known to smoke three packs a day, and was not apologetic about his habit. He always kept a lit cigarette during his interviewing. Now, is a voice against smoking. He has written two books about his experiences with heart disease: Mr King, You're Having a Heart Attack: How a heart attack and bypass surgery changed my life, and Taking on Heart Disease: Famous Personalities Recall How They Triumphed Over the Nation's #1 Killer and How You Can, Too.
King has been married six times and has six children. | |
Your Comments About Larry King | Comments to date: 3. The most recent comments are below.
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julia fairley durham, nc | Posted at 10:36pm on Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 | While I look to CNN to present a fair unbiased view (with the exception of Anderson Cooper who is cleary transparently in the John McCain line), I was disappointed to see CNN take the position not to allow the Obama ad to run, but to give John McCain hours of free time. I am not upset that CNN decided not to air Obama's ad. I am concerned that they aired a free McCain ad. Clearly, CNN showed America its political stance.
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Common Sense Chesapeake, USA | Posted at 10:55pm on Thursday, February 14th, 2008 | Why do you and other top reporters allow representative to call themselves leaders on your show rather that what they are or at least suppose to be - representative of the people? This is how we allow overselves to get in mess we are in now by not correcting what is wrong and dumming down for others.
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mary brisbane,australia | Posted at 9:53am on Thursday, January 3rd, 2008 | I enjoy watching Larry King, I find his programs entertaining and very informative. He has great interviewing skills and seems to get to the point without giving people the third degree. Thanks Larry for a great show. May you have many more to come.
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