Dick Clark is dead after suffering a heart attack, according to TMZ. ABC confirmed the report.
The 82-year-old longtime TV producer and host had been at St. John's Hospital in L.A. after undergoing an outpatient procedure on Tuesday, according to TMZ. Clark reportedly suffered the heart attack following the procedure and died on Wednesday after unsuccessful attempts to resuscitate him.
Clark had a history of health problems. He was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 1994, which he kept private until 2004, the year he suffered a stroke that forced him to retire as host of "New Years' Rockin' Eve." Clark created the program in 1972 and earned a Peabody Award for his coverage. He was only unable to host twice until his stroke. Though Ryan Seacrest has since taken over, Clark made annual appearances.
Born and raised in New York state, Clark began his career in show business in high school in 1945 when he started working in the mailroom of a local radio station. Soon, he was promoted to weatherman and then, news announcer. Upon graduating from high school in 1947, he climbed the ladder at another local station and eventually, in 1952, he found his way to WFIL, a radio and affiliated television station in Philadelphia.
There, Clark was given the opportunity to substitute host an afternoon teen dance show called "Bandstand." In 1956, he became the full-time host and the show was picked up by ABC and renamed "American Bandstand." On the first episode of the national installment of the show, Clark interviewed Elvis Presley.
Eventually, the show moved to California. Clark produced "American Bandstand" for syndicated television and later, USA Network, until 1989.
Throughout his career, the small screen legend earned the nickname "America's Oldest Teenager" due to his eternally youthful appearance. In addition to "American Bandstand" and "New Year's Rockin' Eve," Clark also served as a longtime Top 40 radio countdown host, hosted five versions of the game show "Pyramid" since 1973, and served as chairman and chief executive officer of Dick Clark Productions, which he had sold part of in his final years.
Clark was married three times and has three children from his first two marriages. He is survived by his current wife Kari Wigton.
Ringing in 2013 will not feel the same.
Below, see Twitter reactions to Dick Clark's death and video highlights of his career.
Host and producer Dick Clark talks about his television career, "American Bandstand" and other productions. The interview was conducted by James Moll on July 29, 1999. This is part of a multi-segment oral history interview. For all interview segments visit channel playlists or go to tvinterviewsarchive.blogspot.com
Dick Clark receives the Lifetime Achievement Award at 21st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in 1994.
Dick Clark talks to Michael Jackson's pet chimpanzee Bubbles, who brings a letter from Michael to Dick. He itnerviews Bubbles who answers with a variety of facial expressions. He introduces Bob Dunn, Bubbles' trainer, whom he interviews about Bubbles and how the chimpanzee lives his life. Bubbles does his own version of the Moonwalk dance at the end. License Live Dick Clark Presents Clips Here: dickclarklicensing.com
Batman and Robin encounter the former host of American Bandstand as they perform a reverse batclimb. Batman deduces Dick's point of origin from his speech pattern.
Dick Clark - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dick Clark News, Dick Clark Bio and Photos | TVGuide.com
'American Bandstand' Host Dick Clark Dies at 82
TV innovator Dick Clark dies at age 82
TV legend Dick Clark dies at 82
Dick Clark dies of heart attack
'America's oldest teenager,' pop icon Dick Clark, dies at age 82
Reports: Dick Clark Dead At 82
Posted: 04/18/2012 3:41 pm Updated: 04/19/2012 10:44 am