Legendary radio host Don Imus dies at age 79 after being hospitalized since Christmas Eve

Andrea Mandell, Bill Keveney | USA TODAY, NorthJersey.com

Show Caption Hide Caption Radio personality Don Imus has died at the age of 79 Don Imus hosted his radio show for almost 50 years and was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1989.

Legendary radio personality Don Imus died Friday at the age of 79.

Known for his outspoken comments and off-color humor, he hosted "Imus in the Morning" in New York for nearly 50 years. His caustic commentary helped him soar to great heights before leading to a career crash after an on-air racial slur in 2007, one of numerous remarks that resulted in unwanted headlines over his long career.

Imus, who was also known for his charitable work, died at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in College Station, Texas, after being hospitalized since Christmas Eve, publicist Matthew Hiltzik confirmed to USA TODAY.

Imus' wife of 25 years, Deirdre, and his son Wyatt, 21, were at his side, according to a statement from his family.

"Don loved and adored Deirdre, who unconditionally loved him back, loved spending his time watching Wyatt become a highly skilled, champion rodeo rider and calf roper and loved and supported Zachary (Cates), who first met the Imus family at age 10 when he participated in the Imus Ranch program for kids with cancer, having battled and overcome leukemia, eventually becoming a member of the Imus family and Don and Deirdre’s second son," read the family's statement.

Cates is returning from military service overseas, according to the statement. Imus is also survived by his four daughters Nadine, Ashley, Elizabeth, and Toni.

A California native, Imus hosted radio shows in California, New York and Cleveland, attracting fans with his sharp-edged style during a career punctuated by firings. He overcame alcohol and drug issues before rising to his biggest career fame when “Imus in the Morning” on New York’s WFAN became nationally syndicated in 1993 and started simulcasting on MSNBC in 1996.

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Born John Donald Imus Jr., Imus was long known for attention-getting, shock-jock antics that spurred controversies and criticism, but his show became a political salon of sorts with Washington heavy hitters and other power brokers making appearances.

His guests spanned the ranks of politicians, including Senators John McCain and John Kerry, pundits, such as Tim Russert, and entertainers, from Harry Connick Jr. to John Mellencamp.

The radio host continued on both platforms until 2007, when he was fired by WFAN and dropped by MSNBC after making racist and misogynistic comments about the Rutgers University women’s basketball team, calling them "rough girls" and “nappy-headed hos.”

Despite repeated apologies, Imus — just 10 years earlier named one of Time Magazine's 25 most influential Americans — became a pariah for a remark that he acknowledged was "completely inappropriate ... thoughtless and stupid."

In the ensuing furor, CBS canceled the "Imus in the Morning" show. Imus then sued CBS for wrongful termination and won a $40 million settlement. Meanwhile, a Rutgers basketball player, Kia Vaughn, brought a defamation suit against Imus (she later dropped it).

After that debacle, Imus resumed hosting on another New York station, continuing to share candid opinions about elected officials and spur anger, as he did with a racially charged reference about NFL cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones in 2008. He ended the show in early 2018.

Imus, who struggled with addiction until a 1987 stint at a Florida alcohol rehabilitation center and in 2009 revealed he had Stage II prostate cancer, was also known for his charitable work on behalf of children with cancer and wounded Iraq war veterans.

He raised more than $40 million for groups including the CJ Foundation for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, ran a New Mexico ranch for dying children and often used his radio show to "solicit" guests for donations.

Imus also did many radio-thons for the Tomorrow's Children Fund, now based at New Jersey's Hackensack University Medical Center, netting it over $30 million. There is now a Don Imus-WFAN Pediatric Center at the hospital.

Fellow radio and TV hosts mourned Imus' passing and offered condolences.

Fox News Channel star and fellow radio personality Sean Hannity said he is "heartbroken. I knew the REAL Don Imus. Imus adored his wife and son and his adopted son and had a heart of gold. The work he did for children with cancer will live on forever. Every email he ever sent me made me laugh."

(1/2) I’m heartbroken. I knew the REAL Don Imus. Imus adored his wife and son and his adopted son and had a heart of gold. The work he did for children with cancer will live on forever. Every email he ever sent me made me laugh... https://t.co/3xSOaDmwXQ — Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) December 27, 2019

Another Fox News host, former syndicated radio talker Laura Ingraham, praised Imus' skill and acknowledged his contribution to her career.

"In his heyday Imus was the best interviewer—an epic talent. Many great on-air memories in his Astoria studios, and (sorry, haters) responsible for my 17-year radio career," she wrote in a tweet.

In his heyday Imus was the best interviewer—an epic talent. Many great on-air memories in his Astoria studios, and (sorry, haters) responsible for my 17-year radio career. “Don Imus, Legendary 'Imus in the Morning' Host, Dies at 79 https://t.co/H0YPhRrxtp — Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) December 27, 2019

Joe Scarborough, whose "Morning Joe" political chat show has Imus' former MSNBC slot, paid tribute, too. "Morning Joe obviously owes its format to Don Imus. No one else could have gotten away with that much talk on cable news. Thanks for everything, Don, and Godspeed."

Morning Joe obviously owes its format to Don Imus. No one else could have gotten away with that much talk on cable news. Thanks for everything, Don, and Godspeed. — Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) December 27, 2019

The family will hold a small private service in the coming days and request that any donations be made to the Imus Ranch Foundation which which supports families of children suffering from cancer and other illnesses during their times of need.

Contributing: The Associated Press, Jim Beckerman, NorthJersey.com