Over 30 seasons of Dancing with the Stars, the ballroom has seen glitter, glamour, and fierce competition. But few moments touched the audience as deeply as Jerry Springer’s journey in Season 3. The talk show legend didn’t step onto that stage chasing a trophy — he did it for something far more personal. His dream was to learn a single dance… so he could waltz at his daughter’s wedding.
It was 2006, and Springer was paired with professional dancer Kym Johnson-Herjavec. Week after week, he traded his sharp-tongued talk show persona for the vulnerability of a man far outside his comfort zone. From a fiery Paso Doble to Charlotte Church’s Habañera to a tender Tennessee Waltz, Jerry brought heart over technique, earning smiles even when his footwork stumbled.
Even legendary judge Len Goodman — who himself passed away this year — recalled how Springer’s motivation was unlike any other contestant’s. “He was hoping to stay in long enough to learn the waltz for his daughter’s wedding,” Goodman told PEOPLE last year, naming Jerry as one of the most memorable stars in the show’s history. That heartfelt mission made him a favorite among fans, who carried him all the way to the top 5 despite modest scores.
For Springer, the show was both a challenge and a joy. “It turned out to be really fun,” he later reflected on the Behind the Velvet Rope podcast. “What was fun about it is that I was totally outside my comfort zone… My dancing was hopeless, so I told jokes. I’d beg people not to vote for me — but they kept doing it anyway.” It was a rare moment where America didn’t tune in for drama, but for warmth.
When news broke on April 27 that Springer had passed away at 79 after a brief illness, tributes poured in from fans and friends alike. “Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success,” family friend Jene Galvin said. “He’s irreplaceable… but memories of his intellect, heart, and humor will live on.”
More than just a talk show host, Springer was also a former mayor of Cincinnati, a television judge, and a man who could just as easily shake a hand on the street as he could command a national audience. He lived many lives — politics, broadcasting, entertainment — but in the end, it was the personal moments, like that wedding waltz, that defined him for those who truly knew him.
His family now asks that those remembering him honor his spirit: make a donation, offer kindness to someone in need, or simply follow his famous closing words — “Take care of yourself, and each other.” Because for all the spectacle of his career, Jerry Springer’s most unforgettable performance was one where love — not ratings — took center stage.
