Legendary television host and producer Dick Clark has passed away from a heart attack at the age of 82.
Clark was best known for being the affable host of the long-running, syndicated music series American Bandstand, which ran from 1956-1989 with Clark as the host. He was responsible for giving many musical legends their first breaks on the show, including superstars Prince and Madonna. His association with youth and pop culture of the time earned him the nickname "America's Oldest Living Teenager".
He also became known for the popular New Year's Rockin' Eve specials live from New York's Times Square for the ABC network, which he began hosting in 1972 and continued to do so for more than three decades, even after a stroke in 2004 made it difficult for him to speak clearly.
A busy man, he hosted another long-running series, game show The $25,000 Pyramid, which he co-created. Throughout the 1980s, he would co-host blooper reel show TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes with his good friend, the late Ed McMahon. In the 80s, he began producing television musical awards and spectaculars, including The American Music Awards, for which he received Emmy nominations.
Clark had been in St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California, after undergoing an outpatient procedure Tuesday night. He suffered the heart attack following the procedure and attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. He is survived by his wife of thirty-five years, Kari, and three children.
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