Richard Wagstaff (Dick) Clark (November 30, 1929 – April 18, 2012) was an American game-show host, radio and television personality and businessman. He served as chairman and chief executive officer of Dick Clark Productions, which he sold part of late in his life. Clark was best known for hosting long-running television shows such as American Bandstand, game show Pyramid and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.
Clark was long known for his departing catchphrase, "For now, Dick Clark, so long" delivered with a military salute and for his youthful appearance, earning the moniker "America's Oldest Teenager."
Clark suffered a significant stroke in late 2004. With speech ability still impaired, Clark returned to his New Year's Rockin' Eve show on December 31, 2005.
Subsequently, he appeared on the Emmy Awards 2006, and every New Year's Rockin' Eve show until 2012.
Clark died at the age of 83 after suffering a heart attack.
Clark was born in Bronxville, New York and was raised in nearby Mount Vernon.
His career in show business began in 1945 when he started working in the mailroom of WRUN, a radio station owned by his uncle and managed by his father in Utica, New York. Clark was soon promoted to weatherman and news announcer.
He graduated with a degree in business from Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York in 1951.
Clark began his television career at station WKTV in Utica, and was also subsequently a disc jockey on radio station WOLF in Syracuse. His first television-hosting job was on Cactus Dick And The Santa Fe Riders, a country music programme.
In 1972, Clark produced and hosted Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, the first of an ongoing series of specials still broadcast on New Year's Eve.
On March 25, 1972, Clark hosted American Top 40, filling in for Casey Kasem.
Dick Clark's longest running radio show began on February 14, 1982. Rock, Roll & Remember was a four hour oldies show named after Clark's 1976 autobiography.
The show ended production when Clark suffered his 2004 stroke.
In July 1985, he hosted the ABC prime time portion of the historic Live Aid concert, an all star concert designed by Sir Bob Geldof to end world hunger.
Clark had a stake in a chain of music-themed restaurants licensed under the names Dick Clark's American Bandstand Grill, Dick Clark's AB Grill, Dick Clark's Bandstand — Food, Spirits & Fun and Dick Clark's AB Diner.
Clark was married three times, to Barbara Mallery in 1952, Loretta Martin in 1962 and Kari Wigton in 1977. He has a son from Mallery, and a son and daughter from Martin. Wikipedia.
