King, Larry 1933–

views updated

KING, Larry 1933–

(Larry Seltzer)

PERSONAL

Original name, Lawrence Harvey Zeiger; born November 19, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, NY; son of Edward (a restaurant owner and defense plant worker) and Jennie (a restaurant owner and garment worker; maiden name, Gitlitz) Zeiger; married Freda Miller, 1952 (marriage annulled); married Alene Akins (a Playboy bunny), 1961 (divorced, 1963); married Mickey Sutphin, c. 1964 (divorced, c. 1966); remarried Akins, 1967 (divorced, c. 1971); married Sharon Lepore (some sources cite surname as Dorl; a math teacher), September 25, 1976 (divorced, c. 1982); married Julia Alexander, October 7, 1989 (divorced, 1992); married Shawn Southwick (a country singer, model, and actress), September, 5, 1997; children: Larry, Jr.; (with Akins) Chaia (daughter; a production assistant), Andy; (with Sutphin) Kelly (daughter); (with Southwick) Chance Armstrong, Cannon Edward. Politics: Independent.

Addresses:

Office—c/o Larry King Live, Cable News Network, 820 First St. Northeast, Washington, DC 20002. Agent—William Morris Agency, 151 El Camino Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90212.

Career:

Talk show host, actor, and writer. Held various jobs, including delivery boy and mail clerk, in New York City during the 1950s; WAHR–AM Radio (now WMBM–Radio), Miami, FL, janitor, 1957, morning disc jockey, 1957–58; WKAT–AM Radio, Miami, FL, drive–time disc jockey, 1958, host of interview show from Pumpernik's Restaurant, 1958–62; WIOD–AM Radio, Miami, FL, host of interview show from Pumpernik's Restaurant, 1962, host of interview show broadcast from a houseboat, 1963–71; WLBW–TV, Miami, FL, television talk show host, 1963; WTVJ–TV, Miami, FL, interview show host, 1964; freelance writer and broadcaster, 1972–75; WIOD–AM Radio, Miami, FL, host, 1975–78. Color commentator for baseball, football, and hockey teams on radio and television, including commentator for Miami Dolphins and Shreveport Steamers; appeared in commercials. Worked in public relations for a horse racing track in Shreveport, LA, 1974–75. Heart Assistance Foundation, member of the board of directors; Larry King Cardiac Foundation, chair; Read–America, member of the advisory board; Washington Center for Politics and Journalism, member; George Washington University, School of Media and Public Affairs, founder of scholarship for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Also known as Larry Seltzer.

Member:

American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, American Women in Radio and Television Communications (honorary trustee), Friars Club.

Awards, Honors:

Named man of the year, City of Hope, 1977; George Foster Peabody Broadcasting Award, Henry W. Grady School of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Georgia, 1982 (some sources say 1987), Jack Anderson Investigative Reporting Award, 1985, Radio Award, National Association of Broadcasters, 1985, and named best radio talk show host, Washington Journalism Review, 1986, all for The Larry King Show; Annual CableACE awards, National Cable Television Association, excellence in cable television, 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990, Annual CableACE Award nomination, 1991, Annual CableACE Award, outstanding program interviewer, 1997, and Emmy Award, news interview category, 1999, all for Larry King Live; named father of the year, National Father's Day Council, 1988; named broadcaster of the year, International Radio and Television Society, 1989; inducted into Radio Hall of Fame, 1989; inducted into Emerson Hall of Fame and Broadcasters Hall of Fame, 1992; named man of the year, American Heart Association, 1992; named talk show host of the year, National Association of Radio Talk Show Hosts, 1993; Scopus Award, American Friends of Hebrew University, 1993; named king of Brooklyn, Welcome Back to Brooklyn Festival, 1995; Golden Plate Award, American Academy of Achievement, 1996; received star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, 1997; Vanguard Award, GLAAD Media awards, Gay and Lesbian Alliance against Defamation, 1999; Mahoney Award, Harvard University, 2000, for increasing public awareness of neuro-science; Franklin Delano Roosevelt Award, March of Dimes, 2000, for work on behalf of community volunteerism; Public Service Award, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2001, for a program on depression; Unity Award, Lincoln University of Missouri, for excellence in public affairs reporting on minority issues, 2001; received key to the city of New Orleans, LA and crowned Bacchus at Mardi Gras, 2001; Emmy Award nomination and New York Festival Award, 2002, for an interview of Paul McCartney; New York Festival Award, 2002, for coverage of events of September 11, 2001; Gracie Allen Award, Foundation of American Women in Radio and Television, 2003, for an interview of Nellie Connally; Allen H. Neuharth Award, excellence in journalism; inducted into Broadcasting Hall of Fame, both Broadcasting magazine and National Association of Broadcasters; honorary degrees from various institutions, including Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, George Washington University, New England Institute of Technology, and Pratt Institute.

CREDITS

Television Appearances; Series:

Host, Larry King: Let's Talk (also known as Let's Talk Washington), WJLA (Washington, DC), 1985.

Host, Larry King Live (also known as Larry Seltzer Live), Cable News Network, 1985—.

Television Appearances; Specials:

Host, A Night of Soviet Television, TBS, 1988.

Mike Tyson—A Portrait of the People's Champion, syndicated, 1989.

Anchor, The 1990 Goodwill Games, TBS, 1990.

Host, Sunday Night with Larry King, NBC, 1990.

Judge, The 1990 Miss America Pageant, NBC, 1990.

Host, Larry King Extra, TNT, annual specials, 1991, 1992, 1993.

Donahue: The 25th Anniversary, NBC, 1992.

Host, November 22, 1963: Where Were You? A Larry King Special Live from Washington, TNT, 1993.

Host, TNT Extra: A Very Special Conversation with Elizabeth Taylor, TNT, 1993.

Host, The UFO Cover–Up: Live from Area 51, TNT, 1994.

Host, Year in Review—Larry King Live, Cable News Network, 1994.

People's 20th Birthday, ABC, 1994.

Guest, Larry King Talking with David Frost, PBS, 1996.

"O. J. in Black and White," Larry King Live, Cable News Network, 1996.

Very Personal with Naomi Judd, The Family Channel, 1996.

Star Wars: The Magic and the Mystery, Fox, 1997.

AFI's 100 Years … 100 Movies, CBS, 1998.

Nissan Presents: The Second Annual Celebration of America's Music, ABC, 1998.

Sam Kinison: Why Did We Laugh?, Comedy Central, 1998.

Himself, The Fine Art of Separating People from Their Money, Bravo, 1999.

Himself, "Jackie Gleason: The Great One," Biography, Arts and Entertainment, 2001.

Himself, 30 by 30: Kid Flicks—Party Animals, HBO, 2001.

The Great American History Quiz: America at War, History Channel, 2001.

I Love Lucy's 50th Anniversary Special (also known as I Love Lucy—50th Anniversary Special), CBS, 2001.

Party Animals (or … How to Get to the White House in 5 Easy Steps), 2001.

Shot Heard 'round the World, HBO, 2001.

Himself, Roots: Celebrating 25 Years (also known as Roots—Celebrating 25 Years: The Saga of an American Classic), NBC, 2002.

(Uncredited; in archive footage) Cleavage, Arts and Entertainment, 2002.

Everybody Loves Raymond: The First Six Years, CBS, 2002.

Guilty Pleasure: The Dominick Dunne Story (also known as Guilty Pleasure: The Extraordinary World of Dominick Dunne), Court TV, 2002.

Muhammad Ali's All–Star 60th Birthday Celebration!, CBS, 2002.

Himself, How's Your News? On the Campaign Trail, Trio Network, 2004.

Himself, 101 Most Unforgettable SNL Moments, E! Entertainment Television, 2004.

Television Appearances; Awards Presentations:

The Ninth Annual ACE Awards, HBO, 1988.

The Television Academy Hall of Fame, Fox, 1989.

The 10th Annual ACE Awards, multiple networks, 1989.

Presenter, The America's Choice Awards, TBS, 1990.

Presenter, The 11th Annual ACE Awards, multiple networks, 1990.

Presenter, The 16th Annual CableACE Awards, TNT, 1995.

The 1995 Billboard Music Awards, Fox, 1995.

Host, 1996 ShoWest Awards, TNT, 1996.

Presenter, The 18th Annual CableACE Awards, TNT, 1996.

Presenter, The 11th Annual Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame (also known as Television Academy Hall of Fame), CBS, 1996.

American Comedy Honors, Fox, 1997.

Hollywood Salutes Bruce Willis: An American Cinematheque Tribute, TNT, 2000.

Presenter, 10th Annual Trumpet Awards, TBS, 2002.

The 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, NBC, 2002.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

Guest, Later with Bob Costas, NBC, 1988.

Guest, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, NBC, 1988, 1989, 1990.

Guest, Late Night with David Letterman, NBC, multiple appearances, 1988–93.

"Rootless People," Murphy Brown, CBS, 1990.

Voice, "One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish," The Simpsons (animated), Fox, 1991.

Guest, The Howard Stern Show, 1991, 1992.

Guest, The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS, multiple appearances, 1993–96.

Voice, "Sideshow Bob Roberts," The Simpsons (animated), Fox, 1994.

"Is It Hot in Here, or Is It Me?: Part 2," Coach, ABC, 1995.

"Larry King," Biography, Arts and Entertainment, 1995.

"The P. A.," The Larry Sanders Show, HBO, 1995.

Guest, "Washington, D.C.," Dennis Miller Live, HBO, 1996.

"Arthur Godfrey—Broadcasting's Forgotten Giant," Biography, Arts and Entertainment, 1996.

"Better Offer," The Bonnie Hunt Show (also known as Bonnie), CBS, 1996.

(Uncredited) "Chapter Twenty–One," Murder One, ABC, 1996.

"Phil's Dead—Long Live Phil's," Murphy Brown, CBS, 1996.

Muppets Tonight!, ABC, 1996.

"An Affair to Remember," Spin City (also known as Spin), ABC, 1997.

"My Fair Frasier," Frasier, NBC, 1997.

"The Real Thing," Arli$$, HBO, 1997.

Guest, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, NBC, 1998, 2004.

Intimate Portrait: Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Lifetime, 1999.

Intimate Portrait: Lynda Carter, Lifetime, 2000.

Intimate Portrait: Sarah Ferguson, Lifetime, 2001.

Guest, The Dr. Phil Show, syndicated, 2002.

"Help!," Between the Lions, PBS, 2002.

"The Introduction of Bobby Trendy," The Anna Nicole Show, E! Entertainment Television, 2002.

"Standards and Practices," Arli$$, HBO, 2002.

"The Verdict," The Practice, ABC, 2002.

Lynda Carter: The E! True Hollywood Story, E! Entertainment Television, 2002.

Guest, Die Johannes B. Kerner Show, 2003.

Guest, Tinseltown TV, multiple episodes in 2003.

Guest, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, NBC, 2003.

Guest, The Wayne Brady Show, syndicated, 2003.

"Derby Daze," The Anna Nicole Show, E! Entertainment Television, 2003.

"Elwood City Turns 100!," Arthur (animated), PBS, 2003.

"The Price Is Right Million Dollar Spectacular (Bob Barker's 80th Birthday)," The Price Is Right, CBS, 2003.

(In archive footage) Entertainment Tonight (also known as ET), syndicated, 2003.

Guest, The View, ABC, 2003, 2004.

Guest, "Oprah's 50th Birthday," The Oprah Winfrey Show (also known as Oprah), syndicated, 2004.

Tom Bettelheim, "Trade Talks," Clubhouse, CBS, 2004.

Guest, Jimmy Kimmel Live, ABC, 2004.

Guest, On–Air with Ryan Seacrest, syndicated, 2004.

Himself, Katie Couric: The E! True Hollywood Story, E! Entertainment Television, 2004.

"Most Unforgettable SNL Moments 80–61," E!'s 100, E! Entertainment Television, 2004.

Appeared as himself, unless otherwise noted. Appeared in episodes of Super Dave, Showtime, USA Network, and Fox; and TVography, Arts and Entertainment.

Television Work; Specials:

(With others) Executive producer, Sunday Night with Larry King, NBC, 1990.

Radio Appearances:

Host, The Larry King Show, Mutual Broadcasting System, 1978–94.

Interviewer for Talk to America, Voice of America.

Film Appearances:

Ghostbusters, Columbia, 1984.

(Uncredited) Lost in America, Warner Bros., 1985.

Television talk show host, Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives!, Scotti Brothers, 1989.

Crazy People, Paramount, 1990.

The Exorcist III (also known as Exorcist III: The Legion and William Peter Blatty's "The Exorcist III"), Twentieth Century–Fox, 1990.

Voice, We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story (animated), Universal, 1993.

Dave, Warner Bros., 1993.

Spin, 1995.

The Cable Guy, Columbia, 1996.

(In archive footage) Courage under Fire, Twentieth Century–Fox, 1996.

The Long Kiss Goodnight, New Line Cinema, 1996.

Open Season, 1996.

The Original America's Team: The Brooklyn Dodgers, 1996.

An Alan Smithee Film … Burn, Hollywood, Burn (also known as An Alan Smithee Film), Buena Vista, 1997.

Contact, Warner Bros., 1997.

The Jackal (also known as Le chacal and Der Schakal), Universal, 1997.

(Uncredited) Mad City, Warner Bros., 1997.

Bulworth, Twentieth Century–Fox, 1998.

Enemy of the State, Buena Vista, 1998.

Primary Colors (also known as Perfect Couple and Mit aller Macht), Universal, 1998.

The Contender (also known as Rufmord—Jenseits der Moral), DreamWorks, 2000.

The Kid (also known as Disney's "The Kid"), Buena Vista, 2000.

America's Sweethearts, Columbia, 2001.

(Uncredited) Last Party 2000 (also known as The Party's Over), Film Movement, 2001.

John Q, New Line Cinema, 2002.

(In archive footage) Capturing the Friedmans, 2003.

Voice of Doris (the ugly stepsister), Far Far Away Idol (animated short film), DreamWorks Home Entertainment, 2004.

Voice of ugly stepsister, Shrek 2 (animated), DreamWorks, 2004.

Voice, Catching Kringle (animated), Animax Entertainment/Jellyman Productions, 2004.

Mr 3000, Buena Vista, 2004.

The Stepford Wives, Paramount, 2004.

Appeared as himself, unless otherwise noted.

RECORDINGS

Audiobooks; Reader:

(With Jill Eikenberry) Love Stories of World War II, Random, 2002.

Why I Love Baseball, New Millennium Audio, 2004.

WRITINGS

Nonfiction:

(With Emily Yoffe) Larry King by Larry King (autobiography), Simon & Schuster, 1982.

(With Peter Occhiogrosso) Tell It to the King (memoir), G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1988.

(With B. D. Cohen) "Mr. King, You're Having a Heart Attack": How a Heart Attack and Bypass Surgery Changed My Life, Delacorte, 1989.

(With Occhiogrosso) Tell Me More (memoir), G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1990.

(With Marty Appel) When You're from Brooklyn, the Rest of the World Is Tokyo (also published as When You're from Brooklyn, Everything Else Is Tokyo), Little, Brown, 1992.

(With Mark Stencel) On the Line: The New Road to the White House, Harcourt Brace, 1993.

(With Bill Gilbert) How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere: The Secrets of Good Communication, Crown, 1994.

The Best of Larry King Live: The Greatest Interviews, Turner Publishing, 1995.

(With Chaia King) Daddy Day, Daughter Day, Dove Kids, 1997.

(With Pat Piper) Future Talk: Conversations about Tomorrow with Today's Most Provocative Personalities, HarperCollins, 1998.

(With Irwin Katsof) Powerful Prayers, Renaissance Books, 1998.

(With Piper) Anything Goes! What I've Learned from Pundits, Politicians, and Presidents, Warner Books, 2000.

(Compiler) Love Stories of World War II, Crown, 2001.

Taking on Heart Disease, Rodale, 2004.

Why I Love Baseball, New Millennium, 2004.

Weekly columnist, USA Today, 1983–2001; also author of columns for Miami Beach Sun–Reporter, Miami Herald, Miami News, and Sporting News. Writer for entertainment sections of Miami Herald.

Fiction:

(With Thomas Cook) Moon over Manhattan (novel), New Millennium, 2003.

OTHER SOURCES

Books:

Cohen, Rich, Tough Jews: Fathers, Sons, and Gangster Dreams, Simon & Schuster, 1998.

St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, St. James Press, 2000.

Periodicals:

Advertising Age, October 18, 1982; July 11, 1983, p. M18.

Baltimore Evening Sun, February 19, 1989.

Entertainment Weekly, September 19, 1997, p. 13; May 22, 1998, p. 54.

Esquire, February, 1995, p. 32.

Good Housekeeping, October, 1989, pp. 131, 215–16.

InStyle, February, 1998, p. 171.

Los Angeles Times, April 21, 1988.

New York Times Magazine, May 26, 1991.

People Weekly, March 10, 1980, pp. 49–56; May 11, 1987; October 23, 1989, pp. 115–17; August 1, 1994, p. 69; April 5, 1999, p. 185.

Playboy, August, 1990, pp. 53–62, 151–52.

Rolling Stone, November 14, 1996, pp. 74–82.

Saturday Evening Post, July/August, 1997, p. 36.

Sports Illustrated, July 29, 1985, p. 58.

Time, July 22, 1985, p. 71; June 1, 1998, p. 88; September 17, 2001, p. 109.

U.S. News & World Report, January 16, 1984, pp. 55–56; January 15, 1990, pp. 54–55.

Washington Post, September 14, 1982, p. B11; May 17, 1988.

Electronic:

CNN Web Site, http://www.cnn.com, January 2, 2005.

About this article

King, Larry 1933–

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article