Larry King Adopts Surname Inspired by Miami Herald Advertisement

On May 1, 1957, Larry King made his debut in the world of radio broadcasting at WAHR, a small station in Miami Beach, which is now known as WMBM. Initially hired for menial tasks, King found himself thrust into the spotlight when an announcer unexpectedly quit. He took to the airwaves as a disc jockey, broadcasting from 9 a.m. to noon, and also delivered two afternoon newscasts and a sportscast, all for a modest salary of $50 a week. During this pivotal moment in his career, King adopted the stage name 'Larry King' after the station's general manager suggested that his birth name, Zeiger, was too complex and not suitable for show business. Inspired by an advertisement he saw for King's Wholesale Liquor in the Miami Herald, he chose 'King' as his surname. This marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that would see him become one of the most recognized figures in broadcasting history. Within two years, he legally changed his name to Larry King, solidifying his identity in the media landscape.