Chris Matthews, MSNBC host of ‘Hardball,’ quits on air after several controversies

Chris Matthews, the long-running host of “Hardball” on ­MSNBC, announced Monday that he is resigning from the program, an abrupt exit prompted by a series of recent gaffes and controversies.

Matthews, 74, made the announcement at the start of his weeknight program. His resignation is effective immediately, MSNBC said.

Matthews has been a familiar commentator on cable news for a quarter century, and his departure — which Matthews called a retirement — was a surprise. He appeared for about two minutes at the start of his 7 p.m. program and effectively signed off on his television career.