Larry King

For 25 years, Larry King was the host of Larry King Live on the CNN cable television network. From an early age, he dreamed of becoming a broadcaster, but found no opportunities in his native New York. At age 23, he took a bus to Miami and found a job sweeping floors at a radio station. His first break came when a disc jockey suddenly quit, and he was asked to replace him. King eventually attracted the attention of larger radio stations, and in 1978 began hosting The Larry King Show, a live nationwide phone-in program. His unique and often controversial style quickly attracted a faithful following of millions. In 1985, he agreed to a similar program for CNN, the first live worldwide phone-in television talk show. Larry King Live became a favorite venue for celebrities and political leaders from around the world and Larry King became one of the most respected and honored personalities in broadcasting.