Bobby Rivers has died at the age of 70 (Picture: WireImage)
Bobby Rivers has died at the age of 70.
The acclaimed host, who is most known for presenting the Food Network’s Top 5 series, died on Tuesday in a hospital in Minneapolis.
His sister, Betsy, confirmed the news in a now-deleted Facebook post on Wednesday, which read: ‘Bobby passed away last night and is no longer in any pain.’
She later told the Hollywood Reporter that he had suffered a series of mini strokes before his death.
The late star also battled through a recurrence of lung cancer.
His cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Tributes poured in for Bobby on social media (Picture: WireImage)
Tributes poured in for Rivers on social media, with Whoopi Goldberg leading the condolences.
Alongside a throwback photo on Instagram, the Ghost actress wrote: ‘All hail this pioneer Bobby Rivers…
‘He brought SO much to the table. R I P Bobby.’
Posting a link to an article on the sad news, Katie Couric tweeted: ‘I am so sad to hear this. Bobby was a terrific guy and wonderfully warm, funny and smart.’
Sex and the City star Mario Cantone added: ‘Rest in peace Bobby. You were such a wonderful supportive intelligent insightful man.
‘You will be missed.’
The LA-born journalist initially started his career on the radio in Milwaukee before making his debut on WISN-TV in 1979, becoming the city’s first Black film critic on the small screen.
He was promoted to co-host and associate producer of a weekday series, before making the move over to VH1 in 1987 – where he eventually landed his own series, Watch Bobby Rivers.
Rivers made a name for himself interviewing some of the biggest names in Hollywood for the program, including Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Goldberg and Kirk Douglas.
Whoopi Goldberg and Katie Couric paid their respects online (Picture: WireImage)
From there, he hosted game show Bedroom Buddies and served as an entertainment reporter in New York.
He moved over to the Food Network in 2002 to helm the channel’s Top 5 series, with production ending two years later.
After impressing Goldberg during their interview, the actress tapped him up for film reviews on her Wake Up With Whoopi radio show in 2006, until 2008, and shared his thoughts on the industry in his blog from 2011 onwards.
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Tributes poured in on social media.