Larry King has ended his CNN program "Larry King Live" after 25 years.

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The iconic U.S. interviewer has conducted tens of thousands of interviews during his tenure at the cable news network.

"Welcome to the last 'Larry King Live.' It's hard to say that," King said at the top of his show Thursday.

Time magazine said comedian Bill Maher and television host Ryan Seacrest joined King on the set to help him say goodbye.

Although British TV personality Piers Morgan is to take over King's regular time-slot next year, King plans to preside over occasional specials for the network in the future.

The finale of "Larry King Live" featured tributes to King by President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, singer Tony Bennett, and broadcast journalists Barbara Walters and Katie Couric.

"This is not Larry's funeral. Larry is hopefully going to be in our living rooms for years to come. This is the end of a show, not the end of a man," Time quoted Maher as saying.