Jerry Springer's Famous Friends and Fans React to His Death: 'Smartest, Most Generous, Kindest Person'

Jerry Springer's peers and fellow talk show hosts are paying tribute to the daytime game-changer after his death after a "brief illness" at age 79.

Springer's family friend and spokesman Jene Galvin confirmed he had died in a statement to PEOPLE on Thursday: "Jerry's ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word. He's irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on."

"Funeral services and a memorial gathering are currently being developed. To remember Jerry, the family asks that in lieu of flowers you consider following his spirit and make a donation or commit to an act of kindness to someone in need or a worthy advocacy organization," the statement continued. "As he always said, 'Take care of yourself, and each other.'"

Steve Wilkos, who was a fan favorite on The Jerry Springer Show before headlining his own daytime series, was among those who paid tribute.

"Other than my father, Jerry was the most influential man in my life," Wilkos said in a statement to PEOPLE. "Everything I have today I owe to Jerry. He was the smartest, most generous, kindest person I've ever known. My wife and I are devastated. We will miss him terribly."

Maury Povich also issued a statement to PEOPLE: "I am shocked and saddened by the passing of Jerry. He was not only a colleague but a friend."

"We worked for the same company for decades," he continued. "He was joyful, smart and, in his own way, a unique showman. I will miss him."

Addressing Springer's passing on The View, co-host Whoopi Goldberg said she "loved" Springer's namesake show.

"I'm not afraid to say it," she continued. "He was a great guy and he was really fun and that show is as crazy as it gets, but there's a place for everyone here."

Gary Rosen, who worked as a publicist on The Jerry Springer Show for many years, exclusively told PEOPLE how the star was a "very nice guy" who was "low-key [and] understated."

"Jerry said the only thing he wanted to be remembered for is being a good father and grandfather. The rest — the celebrity part — he said is just ego," Rosen continued. "I will remember him [as] a class act, who was a true mensch to his staff, crew and fans from all over the world."

Montel Williams exclusively told PEOPLE, "My thoughts and prayers go out to Jerry's family."

"I always thought that television worked overtime not to offend anybody. Jerry Springer blew the lid off that idea," Phil Donahue said in a statement to PEOPLE. "He made it easier for guys like me to go a little farther. My heartfelt condolences to his family."

Sally Jessy Raphael said in a statement to PEOPLE that she's "extremely sad at the news of Jerry Springer's passing."

"He was a bright, funny man whom I considered to be a friend," she added. "He will be missed."

NewsNation's Ashleigh Banfield also shared a touching tribute to Springer.

"Jerry and I go back almost 30 years, I still can't get over it. That's how long ago I met him. And we spent an entire afternoon together back in the 90s. And we were at a convention, and we were signing autographs and he pulled a fast one on me and drew like devil ears, halfway through my stack of photos so all of a sudden that came up," she said on NewsNation. "You know, he was just a really lighthearted, fun, loving, wonderful, magnanimous person."

"And what I learned about Jerry very early on was that there's so much more to him. He wasn't the ringmaster only that was such the last sort of chapter in his life that the person who I wish more people knew was the extraordinarily brilliant, not just politician, but human. I mean, he just seemed to have so much knowledge of everything of, of the human condition of the political condition of the American condition of the television condition," she continued. "And he was always willing to share, he always wanted everyone to do well. He wanted to befriend everyone because he genuinely liked people. And you could tell you could tell when you watched his show, that even though some of the people on his show were sort of hideous the things that they would say and do. He still saw the positive in them, or he still saw he still respected everyone no matter what."

She added: "And for that reason, I remember basically just falling in love with the person who Jerry was. It was such a gut punch to hear this today. It just really didn't seem I mean, to me, 79 is really young. And so I just wasn't ready for this, and he didn't share with many people that he was ill so that this is just really been tough to process."

Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Phaedra Parks tweeted that Springer "walked so reality TV could run." She also noted how the former Cincinnati mayor was a "trailblazer" and an "icon."

"So sad to hear this," Megyn Kelly shared in a tweet. "He came on my show shortly after we launched and told the best stories about his fascinating life & his deep love for America. R.I.P. Jerry Springer."

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NBCUniversal, which produced The Jerry Springer Show under NBCUniversal Syndication Studios, also reacted to the news.

"Jerry Springer was much more than a talk show host who redefined television. He was a savvy politician, pop cultural icon, and devout and loyal friend who was most proud when he spoke up for the marginalized and unrepresented," the statement read. "He connected equally with both the powerful and the man on the street. Strangers would open up to him and he loved nothing more than to give them a voice. We deeply mourn his loss and are fortunate to have been partners in a career that was truly astounding and a life that emulated the very best of us."