Dick Clark # 4- obit

Dick Clark was on the list - he is number 4 to pass away

Dick Clark dies from massive heart attack

Dick Clark, longtime TV host and powerhouse producer who changed the way we listened to pop music with American Bandstand, and whose trademark Rockin' Eve became a fixture of New Year's celebrations, has died at the age of 82.

Clark's agent Paul Shefrin said in statement that the veteran host died this morning following a "massive heart attack." He is survived by his wife Kari and his three children, RAC, Duane, and Cindy.

Clark was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., on Nov. 30, 1929. He began his lifelong career in show business began before he was even out of high school. He started working in the mailroom of WRUN, a radio station in upstate New York run by his father and uncle. It wasn't long before the teenager was on the air, filling in for the weatherman and the announcer.

Clark pursued his passion at Syracuse University, working as a disc jockey at the student-run radio station while studying for his degree in business. After graduating in 1951, Clark went back to his family's radio station, but within a year, a bigger city and bigger shows were calling.


Clark landed a gig as a DJ at WFIL in Philadelphia in 1952, spinning records for a show he called Dick Clark's Caravan of Music. There he broke into the big time, hosting Bandstand, an afternoon dance show for teenagers.

Within five years, the whole country was watching. ABC took the show national, and American Bandstand was born.

Clark used his fame to build an entertainment empire, producing awards shows, hosting game shows and most famously helping the country countdown the New Year.

Clark was at his post in Times Square for more than 30 years. Even a stroke in 2006 only briefly stopped the celebration.

Credits

Filmography

    Jamboree (1957) – Himself

    Because They're Young (1960) – Neil Hendry

    The Young Doctors (1961) – Dr. Alexander

    Killers Three (1968) – Roger

    The Phynx (1970) – Himself

    Spy Kids (2001) – Financier

    Bowling For Columbine (2002) – Himself (Documentary)

Television

    ABC 2000 Today – Times Square correspondent

    Adam-12 (1972) – as drag strip owner Mr. J. Benson in the season 4 episode "Who Won?"

    American Bandstand – host

    Branded - guest-starred as J.A. Bailey in season 2 episode "The Greatest Coward on Earth"

    The Challengers – host

    Happening (1968–69) – producer

    It Takes Two (1997) – host

    The Krypton Factor (1981) – host

    Lassie (1966) – as J.H. Alpert in the episode "The Untamed Land"

    Missing Links (1964) – host

    Miss Teen USA (1988, 1991–1993) – host

    Miss Universe (1990–1993) – host

    Miss USA (1989–1993) – host

    New Year's Rockin' Eve (1972–2004)  – host, (2006–2012) – co-host, producer

    Perry Mason, Season 9, episode 30, "The Case of the Final Fadeout"

    The Object Is (1963–1964) – host

    The Partridge Family, guest star, season 1, episode 13, Star Quality

    Pyramid – host (1973–1988), guest (The $25,000 Pyramid, 1970s; Pyramid, 2002)

    The Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show (1958–1960) – host

    Scattergories – host

    Stoney Burke (1963) – Sgt. Andy Kincaid in the episode "Kincaid"

    TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes – co-host, producer

    Where the Action Is (1965–67) – host

    Police Squad! himself, episode Testimony of Evil (Dead Men Don't Laugh)

    Winning Lines – host

    The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – himself (two episodes)