Michael King, Creator of Oprah and Dr. Phil, Dies at 66

Michael King, who created shows including Oprah and Dr. Phil, died Wednesday from an infection he contracted after traveling abroad, TMZ reports. He was 66.

King's father Charles founded King World Productions in the 1950s, and Michael and his brother Roger took over in the late 1970s. The company is best known for launching Oprah, Dr. Phil, Jeopardy!and Wheel of Fortune into syndication. Roger King died in 2007.

See other celebrities we've lost this year

Michael King and his wife traveled to France earlier this year to visit their son and he contracted an infection upon returning to the United States, TMZ reports. Nearly three weeks ago, he was admitted to the ICU of Cedars Sinai Medical Center to be treated for pneumonia, and was placed on a ventilator. On Wednesday afternoon, he was removed from life support and died several hours later.

King also headed the boxing promotion company King Sports Worldwide. A New Jersey native, he was also part owner of franchises including the New York Yankees and New Jersey Devils.