Broadcasting more than 50,000 interviews throughout his lengthy career, Larry King established a template for talk radio and television journalism. From his origins in Brooklyn to his long tenure as a national presence on the Mutual Broadcasting System and CNN, he maintained a format defined by open phone lines and direct, conversational inquiries.
Early Career in Miami
Born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in 1933, the future broadcaster spent his early years in Brooklyn. After graduating from Lafayette High School, he relocated to Florida to pursue a career in media. His first on-air role occurred on May 1, 1957, at WAHR in Miami Beach. Tasked with choosing a professional name that lacked ethnic specificity, he adopted the surname King after viewing a local advertisement. He quickly moved into interview-based programming at Pumpernik's Restaurant, where he engaged subjects ranging from local waiters to celebrity guests such as Bobby Darin.
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In 1978, King began hosting a nightly program on the Mutual Broadcasting System. The show aired live from midnight until 5:30 a.m., featuring a unique structure that combined celebrity interviews with an open-phone segment. As the program expanded from 28 to over 500 affiliate stations, listeners grew devoted to the nightly routine. King became known for interacting with recurring callers, many of whom he assigned specific nicknames, while maintaining a consistent rapport with a nationwide audience until he stepped down from the role in 1994.
Television and Later Work
King moved into television with Larry King Live, which aired on CNN from 1985 to 2010. His later television output included Larry King Now and the political program Politicking with Larry King, both broadcast on Hulu, Ora TV, and RT America between 2012 and 2020. Beyond his journalism, he performed as an actor and voice actor in various films and television series, frequently appearing as himself. He served as Dean of the New York Friars Club from 2014 until his death.
Fast facts
- Born: 1933, Brooklyn, United States
- Died: 2021, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Education: Lafayette High School
- First broadcast: May 1, 1957
- Career fields: Radio, television, and journalism
- Awards: Peabody Awards, Hollywood Walk of Fame star
- Public office: Dean of the New York Friars Club (2014-2021)
- Burial site: Hillside Memorial Park
Questions readers ask
How did Larry King get his professional name?
He adopted the surname King after seeing a liquor store advertisement in the Miami Herald, as his birth surname, Zeiger, was deemed unsuitable for broadcasting.
Where did Larry King host his late-night radio show?
He hosted the program on the Mutual Broadcasting System starting in 1978.
