Dick Clark was an American radio and television personality, television producer and film actor, as well as a cultural icon who remains best known for hosting American Bandstand from 1957 to 1988. He rose to fame in the early 1950s when he was appointed the substitute host of Bob Horn’s Bandstand on WFIL in Philadelphia. By 1956 he was the host of the show. Then in 1957, ABC took up the show, changing the name to American Bandstand. He also hosted the game show Pyramid and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, which transmitted Times Square’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. Let’s know more about him and his career through this article.
What is Dick Clark famous for?
- An American radio and television personality, television producer and film actor.
- Hosting American Bandstand from 1957 to 1988.
Where is Dick Clark from?
Recalling his early life, Clark was born in Mount Vernon, New York, the United States in 1929, to parents Richard Augustus Clark and Julia Fuller Clark. He had a sibling namely, Bradley Clark who was killed in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. Similarly, He belonged to American nationality and English ethnicity. Further, His birth sign was Sagittarius.
Where is Dick Clark go for education?
Talking about his education, Clark attended A.B. Davis High School in 1947 and Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. Additionally, he also worked at radio and television stations in Syracuse and Utica before moving to WFIL radio in Philadelphia in 1952.
What is the profession of Dick Clark?
- Talking about his profession, Clark began his career working in the mailroom at WRUN, an AM radio station in Rome, New York, that was owned by his uncle and managed by his father in 1945.
- Whereas, he also worked at WOLF-AM, then a country music station. After that, he got a job at the television station WKTV in Utica, New York.
- Similarly, his first television-hosting job was on Cactus Dick and the Santa Fe Riders, a country music program. Then, he replaced Robert Earle as a newscaster. In addition to his announcing duties on radio and television, he owned several radio stations.
- Similarly, in 1952, he moved to Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, where he took a job as a disc jockey at radio station WFIL, adopting the Dick Clark handle.
- By the end of the year, viewership exceeded 20 million and featured artists were virtually guaranteed large sales boost after appearing.
- Beginning in late 1963, He branched out into hosting game shows, presiding over The Object Is. The show was canceled in 1964, and replaced by Missing Links, which had moved from NBC. Clark took over as host, replacing Ed McMahon.
- From 1964 to 1978, he owned KPRO (now KFOO) in Riverside, California under the name Progress Broadcasting.
- In 1967, he purchased KGUD-AM-FM (now KTMS and KTYD respectively) in Santa Barbara, California.
- As the program moved back to CBS in September 1982, He continued to host the daytime version through most of its history, winning three Emmy Awards for best game show host.
- He hosted the syndicated television game show The Challengers, during its only season (1990-91). The Challengers was a co-production between the production companies of Dick Clark and Ron Greenberg.
- During the 1990-91 season, Clark and Greenberg also co-produced a revival of Let’s Make a Deal for NBC with Bob Hilton as the host.
- He suffered a stroke in December 2004. With speech ability impaired, he returned to his New Year’s Rockin’ Eve show a year later on December 31, 2005.
- Subsequently, he appeared at the 58th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2006, and every New Year’s Rockin’ Eve show through the December 31st, 2011 episode. He died on April 18th, 2012, of a heart attack, at the age of 82, following prostate surgery.
What is the reason behind his death?
During an interview on Larry King Life in April 2004, He revealed that he had type 2 diabetes. His death certificate noted that he had coronary artery disease at the time of his death.
In December 2004, He hospitalized in Los Angeles after suffering what was initially termed a minor stroke. Although he was expected to be fine, it was later announced that Clark would be unable to host his annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve broadcast. He returned to the series the following year, but the dysarthria that resulted from the stroke rendered him unable to speak clearly for the remainder of his life.
On April 18th2012, He died from a fatal heart attack at the age of 82 while undergoing a transurethral resection procedure to treat an enlarged prostate. His family did not immediately decide whether to have a public memorial service, but stated: “there will be no funeral”. He was cremated on April 20th, and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
Who is Dick Clark married to?
Reflecting on his personal life, Clark has married three times until his death. He married Barbara Mallery in 1952; the couple had one son, Richard A. Clark, but the marriage didn’t go well so they decided to divorced in 1961.
Then, he married Loretta Martin in 1962; the couple had two children, Duane and Cindy, but the marriage didn’t go well so they decided to divorced in 1971. Finally, he married Kari Wigton, whom he married in 1977, lasted until his death.
How much is Dick Clark’s worth?
Being a radio and television personality, Clark earns the sum of a good amount of money and fame through his multiple professions in the field of the entertainment industry. Based on some online reports, his estimated net worth said to be $300 million at the time of his death. However, his salary is yet to be disclosed. Further, his other profession like TV producer and actor adds up his fortune as well.
How tall is Dick Clark?
Before her death, Clark stands a height of 5 feet 9 inches and his weight is unknown. Similarly, his both eyes and hair color is dark brown. Further, his other body information is yet to be disclosed. In the case of disclosed, we will let you know.
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