Radio Host Howard Stern Once Talked A Suicidal Man Off A Bridge Live On Air

Credit: The Howard Stern Show.

Amazingly, American radio and TV star Howard Stern once stopped a guy from committing suicide while he was live on air.

The Howard Stern Show, on which Stern, 69, is best known, has featured celebrities including Bruce Springsteen, Nick Cannon, and Kim Kardashian throughout the years.

But in 1994, the artist from New York City succeeded in talking a man out of jumping off the George Washington Bridge.

Credit: The Howard Stern Show.

The frantic man revealed to Stern and Robin Quivers, his co-host, that he intended to jump over the 184-meter suspension bridge and die instantly.

Live on air, the host asked Bonilla: “Why are you killing yourself?” to which the man replied: “Because life sucks sometimes you know?”

“I been here before, I come here often to think and I regret the moment that I haven’t jumped earlier.”

Stern kept the talk light-hearted the entire five minutes, even telling listeners that Bonilla "had jumped" when the line briefly went quiet out of the blue.

He added that the married man wouldn't survive to see Stern's upcoming movie, Private Parts if he followed through with the jump.

One listener went to the George Washington Bridge while the show was going on to prevent Bonilla from jumping.

According to EightiesKids, Miss Helen Trimble from Brooklyn was the person who prevented the suicide.

The Howard Stern Show was also being listened to by Port Authority Police, who promptly arrived on the spot.

They detained Bonilla and later assisted in getting him the psychological care he required for his suicidal impulses.

An hour-long video of the incident that captures the entire conversation between Stern and the man is available on YouTube for people who wish to learn more about it.

Fans have flocked to the comments section throughout the years to praise the host for his fast thinking and his capacity to reason with Bonilla.

One YouTube user commented after watching the 29-year-old video: “As someone who tried to commit and struggled throughout my life, Howard was great. He didn’t do the cliche of ‘Please don’t do it, you’re worth it'.”

“He used humor to make him laugh and forget that he’s even trying to jump. He may sound insensitive, but that’s how comedians are, and he truly helped.”

Another said: “People saying Howard was being insensitive to the guy don’t know what they’re talking about. As someone who’s been suicidal, I can tell you he was actually perfect.”

A third agreed and wrote: “Howard was an incredible hero and so humble, you could tell he didn't want it to be all about him.”