Dick Clark Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Childhood And Early Life

American television and radio personality Dick Clark was born on the 30 November 1929 in Mount Vernon, New York. He was one of two sons born to Julia Fuller and Richard Augustus Clark. His brother Bradley was killed in World War II. As a boy, Clark became fascinated by the radio.

Education

After graduating from A.B. Davis Middle School, Mount Vernon, Dick Clark studied at Syracuse University, New York. In 1951, he obtained a degree in advertising and media. During his student years, Clark worked at various radio stations

Rise To Fame

Dick Clark rose to fame in the early 1950’s when he was appointed the substitute host of Bob Horn’s Bandstand on WFIL in Philadelphia. By 1956 he was the host of the show. Then in 1957, ABC took up the show, changing the name to American Bandstand.

Career

Dick Clark was acknowledged as being responsible for making rock ‘n roll music acceptable to parents, and the show became increasingly popular. In 1964 the show to Los Angeles just as the surf sound of California was becoming popular. During the 1960s, it provided a platform for musicians to perform live and artists who appeared around that time included Chubby Checker, Stevie Wonder, The Beach Boys, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly and Simon and Garfunkel. Clark also hosted concert tours. From 1973 until 1975 Clark was executive producer of In Concert.

Dick Clark was a popular game show host. His first show being The Object Is in 1964. Then the $10,000 Pyramid game show debuted on CBC in March 1973 with Clark as the host and producer. The following year, the show moved to ABC, and the prize money was increased to $20,000. He continued hosting the game show until 1988. In the process, he was three Emmy Awards. His final appearance was on the $100,000 Pyramid From 1990 until 1991 he hosted The Challengers (1990-1991), Let’s Make A Deal (1990-1991), Scattergories (1993), It Takes Two (1997) Winning Lines 2000.

Beginning in 1972, Clark produced New Year’s Rocking Eve which by the late 1970s became the most viewed New Year broadcast in the United States. Clark suffered a stroke in December 2004. His first television appearance after the stroke was when he co-hosted the annual New Year’s Rocking Eve show from Times Square with Ryan Seacrest on the 1 January 2006.

Clark was also involved in television and film production with company Dick Clark Productions. One of his initiatives was the American Music Awards.

Later Years

In 2004 Dick Clark had a stroke which impacted on his speech. He subsequently suffered from coronary heart disease.

Awards And Achievements

As well as receiving three Emmy Awards for his role as a game show host, Dick Clark was also awarded the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Person of the Year (1980), Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award (1994) and the Peabody Award (1999). He was also inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1976), the National Radio Hall of Fame (1990), the Broadcasting Magazine Hall of Fame (1992), Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame (1992), Television Hall of Fame (1992), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1993) and Disney Legends Hall of Fame (2013).

Personal Life

His first marriage was to Barbara Mallery (m.1952-div.1961). They had one child together, a son Richard. The following year he married Loretta Martin, and they had two children: Duane and Cindy, before divorcing in 1971. Clark’s third wife was Kari Wigton (1977-2012).

Dick Clark died on the 18 April 2012 following a heart attack.