American Bandstand host Dick Clark has died of a massive heart attack early Wednesday. He was 82.

The legendary music and television producer and always youthful looking host was born in Mount Vernon, NY and went to college at Syracuse University where he was a DJ on the campus radio station.

He landed his first television job in Utica, NY at a station that his father managed.

Clark landed the American Bandstand job in 1955 and it went on to become the highest-rated daytime show and then the longest-running musical variety show, ending in 1987.

The host introduced acts ranging from Buddy Holley, and James Brown to Madonna and Michael Jackson.

Clark, who has been dubbed “the world’s oldest living teenager” because he always looked young, also hosted games shows including Pyramids and Scattegories.

Clark continued his successful ventures into music and producing with the ABC yearly special Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve he began in 1972. He was forced to step down in 2004 after he suffered a stroke. Ryan Seacrest took over the hosting duties in 2006. Clark briefly appeared at the 2011 telecast.

In a 2004 interview with Larry King, Clark revealed he suffered from Type 2 diabetes.

Clark is survived by his third wife, Kari, and his children from previous marriages.

[image: WENN]

DROP A COMMENT BELOW