By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Dick Clark, the legendary TV host who brought American Bandstand and his trademark New Year’s countdown to living rooms for decades, has died.
The career entertainer was 82 years old.
Spokesman Paul Shefrin said Clark had a massive heart attack this morning at Saint John's hospital in Santa Monica, a day after he was admitted for an outpatient procedure.
American icon: Dick Clark, who hosted shows like American Bandstand, and his New Year's Eve specials has died at 82
Nothing but love: Clark gets a hug from singer Mariah Carey in a 2006 broadcast of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve
Clark had continued performing even after he suffered a stroke in 2004 that affected his ability to speak and walk.
He thrived as the founder of Dick Clark Productions, supplying movies, game and music shows, beauty contests and more to TV.
Among his credits: The $25,000 Pyramid,TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes and the American Music Awards.
For a time in the 1980s, he had shows on all three networks and was listed among the Forbes 400 of wealthiest Americans.
Dick Clark, the legendary TV host who brought American Bandstand and his trademark New Year’s countdown to living rooms for decades, has died.
The career entertainer was 82 years old.
Spokesman Paul Shefrin said Clark had a massive heart attack this morning at Saint John's hospital in Santa Monica, a day after he was admitted for an outpatient procedure.
American icon: Dick Clark, who hosted shows like American Bandstand, and his New Year's Eve specials has died at 82
Nothing but love: Clark gets a hug from singer Mariah Carey in a 2006 broadcast of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' EveClark had continued performing even after he suffered a stroke in 2004 that affected his ability to speak and walk.
He thrived as the founder of Dick Clark Productions, supplying movies, game and music shows, beauty contests and more to TV.
Among his credits: The $25,000 Pyramid,TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes and the American Music Awards.
For a time in the 1980s, he had shows on all three networks and was listed among the Forbes 400 of wealthiest Americans.
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Honoured: Dick Clark speaks during a tribute to him at
the 58th annual Prime time Emmy Awards in 2006
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'There's hardly any segment of the population that doesn't see what I do,' Clark told The Associated Press in a 1985 interview.
'It can be embarrassing. People come up to me and say, `I love your show,' and I have no idea which one they're talking about'.
He was dubbed ‘America’s oldest teenager’ because of his fresh-faced appearance that was seemingly unchanged for years.
But the stroke in December 2004 changed that, severely damaging Clark's mobility and leaving him unable to appear on the New Year’s Eve telecast that year.
When he returned to Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin' Eve in 2005, he appeared noticeably gaunt and frail.
The original American Bandstand was one of network TV's longest-running series as part of ABC's daytime line-up from 1957 to 1987.
Clark joined 'Bandstand' in 1956 after Bob Horn, who'd been the host since its 1952 debut, was fired. Under Clark's guidance, it went from a local Philadelphia show to a national phenomenon.
'I played records, the kids danced, and America watched,' was how Clark once described the series' simplicity. In his 1958 hit 'Sweet Little Sixteen,' Chuck Berry sang that 'they'll be rocking on Bandstand, Philadelphia, P-A'.
As a host, he had the smooth delivery of a seasoned radio announcer. As a producer, he had an ear for a hit record. Read more
'It can be embarrassing. People come up to me and say, `I love your show,' and I have no idea which one they're talking about'.
He was dubbed ‘America’s oldest teenager’ because of his fresh-faced appearance that was seemingly unchanged for years.
But the stroke in December 2004 changed that, severely damaging Clark's mobility and leaving him unable to appear on the New Year’s Eve telecast that year.
When he returned to Dick Clark's New Year’s Rockin' Eve in 2005, he appeared noticeably gaunt and frail.
The original American Bandstand was one of network TV's longest-running series as part of ABC's daytime line-up from 1957 to 1987.
Clark joined 'Bandstand' in 1956 after Bob Horn, who'd been the host since its 1952 debut, was fired. Under Clark's guidance, it went from a local Philadelphia show to a national phenomenon.
'I played records, the kids danced, and America watched,' was how Clark once described the series' simplicity. In his 1958 hit 'Sweet Little Sixteen,' Chuck Berry sang that 'they'll be rocking on Bandstand, Philadelphia, P-A'.
As a host, he had the smooth delivery of a seasoned radio announcer. As a producer, he had an ear for a hit record. Read more
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