Larry King, the US broadcaster and journalist, has died at the age of 87.

Born Lawrence Zieger, Larry King was best known for his CNN interview show, 'Larry King Live', as well as hosting a national radio show and regular newspaper columns. Most people outside of the US recognised Larry King from his frequent cameos in television and movies - often playing himself.

Indeed, King's very first cameo was in 1984 when he played himself during his radio call-in show discussing paranormal incidents around New York. The movie was, of course, 'Ghostbusters'. King played himself twice in 'The Simpsons', once when Homer listened to an audiobook reading of the Bible read by King, and another when he was the moderator for a debate between Sideshow Bob and Mayor Quimby.

Through the '90s, King appeared in movies such as 'The Jackal', 'Contact', Tony Scott's thriller 'Enemy of the State', and was even the voice of an Ugly Stepsister in 'Shrek 2'. King was also a prodigious user of Twitter, and it's fitting that his final statement was released on the social media platform.

"For 63 years and across the platforms of radio, television and digital media, Larry's many thousands of interviews, awards, and global acclaim stand as a testament to his unique and lasting talent as a broadcaster," the statement read. "Whether he was interviewing a US president, foreign leader, celebrity, scandal-ridden personage or an everyman, Larry liked to ask short, direct and uncomplicated questions. He believed concise questions usually provided the best answers, and he was not wrong in that belief."

King was previously hospitalised with COVID-19 some three weeks ago, however the cause of his death has not been made public as of yet.