Dick Clark

Began his career in 1945 in the mailroom of WRUN in Utica, New York, working his way up to weatherman and then newsman. WRUN was owned by Dick's uncle and run by Dick's father.

Graduated from Syracuse University in 1951 with a degee in business administration.

Is a close personal friend of singer Connie Francis. Connie's music label was going to drop her if her last recorded song didn't sell. Thankfully, Dick played it, "Who's Sorry Now", on "Bandstand" (1952) and it became an instant hit. Dick has stayed by her side even through her personal tragedies and she thanks him in every single one of her shows.

When "Bandstand" (1952) was picked up by ABC in 1957, he changed its name to "American Bandstand", ended the show's all-white policy and began introducing black artists. By 1959, it was broadcast by 101 affiliates and reached an audience of 20 million.

In 1959, the United States Senate began investigating the practice of "payola", in which record companies bribed radio personalities to play new records. Clark admitted he accepted a fur stole and jewelry and held financial interests in artists and songs that were frequently on "Bandstand" (1952). Even though he was cleared of any wrongdoing, he was ordered to either leave ABC or sell his interests; he sold.

Had worked with Charlie O'Donnell three times, on "Bandstand" (1952), "The $10,000 Pyramid" (1973) and "TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes" (1984).

Over the years, his show "Bandstand" (1952) gave many new music artists their first exposure to national audiences, including those of Ike Turner and his ex-wife Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Melba Moore, Donna Summer, Madonna, Michael Damian, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Mariah Carey, Cyndi Lauper, Talking Heads, The Beatles, The Monkees, Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel and Paul Anka.

Before he was a successful television host, a game show host and a producer, he used to share afternoon duties with the then-"Bandstand" (1952) host, Bob Horn at WFIL-AM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Horn was working on radio and television simultaneously, and wasn't happy about it.

Towards the end of Clark's 31st year (1986-87) of hosting "Bandstand" (1952), ABC was in the process of reducing the series from a full hour to 30 minutes, but he refused, therefore, at the end of the season, his show moved from ABC to first-run syndication.

Best remembered by the public as the host of "Bandstand" (1952) and "The $10,000 Pyramid" (1973).

Replaced Bob Horn as the new host of "Bandstand" (1952), for which he had hosted for 31 years, from 1956 to 1987.

On 2/14/02, Dick Clark Productions announced it will be acquired for $140 million by Mosaic Media Group, Inc., Capital Communications CDPQ Inc., and Jules Haimovitz, a senior television executive. Stockholders will receive $14.50 per share in cash. Clark himself will receive $12.50 per share in cash for a portion of his shares. Dick Clark Productions was founded in 1957.

Child with first wife Barbara Mallery, Richard, Jr., was born 9 January 1957 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In one of his few dramatic roles, he played against his nice guy image to portray the murderer in the final episode (air date 2 May 1966) of "Perry Mason" (1957). The episode was appropriately titled, "Perry Mason: The Case of the Final Fade-Out (#9.30)" (1966). He also played against type as a nerdy guy who turns out to be a psycho killer in the film, Killers Three (1968).

He produced the late Friday night ABC-TV series, "In Concert" (1972) (1972-1973), which featured many of the top rock acts of the day including Alice Cooper, Jim Croce and The Allman Brothers Band.

Was considered as host of "Gambit" (1972).

Filled in for Casey Kasem once on American Top 40 in 1972.

Was Bob Stewart's first choice as host of the new game show, "The $10,000 Pyramid" (1973), which he accepted and stayed with the role, for 16 years, with only a couple of interruptions, between 1981 and 1988.

In his 16 year tenure as the host of "The $10,000 Pyramid" (1973), amongst the guests who have been on his show were: Vicki Lawrence, Jamie Farr, Constance McCashin, Henry Polic II, Ed Begley Jr., Martha Smith, Shelley Smith, Teresa Ganzel, Barry Jenner and David Graf.

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1976.

Met Ed McMahon, when the two were both living in Philadelphia, and McMahon praised him for first bringing him together with future television partner Johnny Carson when all three worked at ABC in the late 1950s. More than a quarter of a century later, Clark would be re-teaming up with McMahon hosting "TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes" (1984).

He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1990.

Because he was hosting "The Challengers" (1990) at the time, he was unavailable to host the revamped version of "The $10,000 Pyramid" (1973) in early 1991, when John Davidson became the new host. On the premiere episode, he sent a pre-recorded message wishing Davidson well in hosting the show.

Made a guest appearance on an episode of "Let's Make a Deal" (1990), where he was showing the dealers an item.

Made 2 cameo appearances on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (1990). In one episode he plays himself at a Philadelphia diner, and in the other he helps Will Smith's character host bloopers from past episodes of that sitcom.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

Received a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994 and a Peabody Award in 1999.

Had hosted his New Years' Rockin' Eve every year from 1972 to 1999 (when it was preempted for ABC 2000: The Millennium (1999) (TV)), then from 2001 to 2003, just the year before he suffered a massive stroke, which reduced his role, between 2005 to 2011.

Filed suit in federal court in Los Angeles, alleging that Michael Greene, president and chief executive of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, maintains a "blacklist" policy that prevents stars - including Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Sean Combs and Toni Braxton - from performing on both Greene's Grammy Awards and Clark's American Music Awards. The suit seeks $10 million in damages. (19 December 2001)

On an episode of "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (2002), host and good friend Ryan Seacrest paid tribute to him, along with another television host, Don Cornelius, who died 2 1/2 months after him. [18 April 2012].

Was hospitalized for a mild stroke and is reportedly doing fine. [8 December 2004]

2005: For the first time in 32 years, he was not around to see the New Year in with his "Rockin' New Year's Eve" celebration on television. It was hoped that after he had suffered his mild stroke in early December 2004, that he would recover enough to host the festivities. With Clark still in his hospital bed on New Year's Eve, Regis Philbin filled in for him.

Dick Clark had been in St. John's hospital in Los Angeles after undergoing an outpatient procedure the night of April 17, 2012. Clark suffered a massive heart attack following the procedure. Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful and he died the next morning of April 18, 2012.

He and his wife, Kari Clark, were married on 7/7/77 in a ceremony that started at 7:00 pm. His address in Burbank at that time was PO Box 7777.