Andrea Mandell, Bill Keveney
USA TODAY, NorthJersey.com
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."
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.
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."
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
United States radio personality, television host, and philanthropist , known to fans as the I-Man, died on Friday at the Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in , Texas after being hospitalized since , his family reported. Associated Press reported his cause of death as complications from . He was 79.
Don Imus publicity photo 
Imus' syndicated radio show '''' aired on various networks from 1968 until his retirement in 2018. The show was simulcast on MSNBC television from 1996 until a racial incident in 2007 and for several years up to 2015 on the Fox Business Network. He was once named one of ''Time'''s 25 most influential Americans, and was inducted into the .

Known as a  who made controversial comments, Imus was dropped in 2007 by MSNBC and  after he referred to the Rutgers University  as " ." He later apologized for the comment.

Imus is survived by his second wife , their two sons Wyatt and Zachary, and four daughters, Nadine, Ashley, Elizabeth, and Toni, from his previous marriage.

The family's statement on the death read: "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".

Longtime ''Imus in the Morning'' writer and performer  tweeted: "He was a rebel, an unapologetic decrier of bullshit, a harsh critic of human behavior & yet an unfailing champion of the underdog, especially sick children. A hermit and humanitarian. Brilliant and maddening & someone you loved to hate and hated to love but when you told him you did he’d say you were a phony. Every professional success I’ve enjoyed is a direct result of my association with the I-Man. I‘m beyond grateful to him for being my boss, my mentor, & my friend. My heart breaks for Deirdre, Wyatt & Zach. Rest easy Cowboy. You’ve earned it."

The account for ''The Bernie and Sid Show'', which replaced ''Imus in the Morning'', hosted by  and , who both worked for Imus, tweeted: "I-Man. We salute you. You paved the way for us and many more. A radio legend indeed. RIP #Imus".

As of today, former coworker and long time rival shock jock , with whom Imus feuded, has not commented on the death on his Twitter account. However, earlier this year, Stern said in an interview with '''' he was open to having Imus as a guest on his show.

The family said they planned to have a private funeral service for Imus and asked for donations to the Imus Ranch Foundation, which provides support for families with children suffering from serious diseases.