Report: Dick Clark Passes Away at 82
We’re very sad to report the iconic television host and producer Dick Clark; famous for American Bandstand, The $25,000 Pyramid, and ABC’s annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve; has passed away at the age of 82. Stay tuned for more information as it comes in.
Dick Clark was born on November 30th, 1929 and began a career in radio and television in 1947. Mr. Clark started with radio at WRUN in New York and worked his way to television WKTV in Utica. One of his first chances at national exposure came with ABC’s American Bandstand, which Mr. Clark hosted from 1956 to 1989. Mr. Clark gave musicians and bands like Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Madonna, and countless others.
For game show fans, everyone will always remember Dick Clark and the classic, iconic, and in my opinion perfect game show Pyramid. Mr. Clark hosted the iterations The $10,000 Pyramid, The $20,000 Pyramid, The $25,000 Pyramid, The $50,000 Pyramid and The $100,000 Pyramid. Collectively he hosted the game from 1973 to 1988. He also appeared on the most recent revival, Pyramid, hosted by Donny Osmond.
Dick Clark started ABC’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in 1972. It features a countdown to the New Year in addition to musical acts from the world’s biggest artists plus celebrity guests. It’s been an annual staple ever since. Mr. Clark has appeared nearly every year since counting the nation, and the world, down from 10 until the stroke of midnight. Ryan Seacrest has appeared with Mr. Clark on the show since 2006.
Beyond Pyramid, Dick Clark hosted numerous other game shows. You may have seen Mr. Clark on games such as The Object Is in 1963, Missing Links in 1963, The Challengers in 1990, Scattergories in 1993, and most recently CBS’s Winning Lines in 2000. Mr. Clark also executive produced Fox’s popular quiz show Greed. Dick Clark is also greatly remembered for his series TV’s Bloopers and Practical Jokes which ran for decades on various networks. The show looked as funny moments, both intentional and unintentional, on some of the country’s most popular shows.
TMZ first reported that Dick Clark passed away of a heart attack this morning following an outpatient procedure at St. John’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Mr. Clark’s representative, Paul Shefrin, issued a statement to the New York Times just now (4:14PM ET on April 18th): Mr. Clark “had entered St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica last night for an outpatient procedure,” Mr. Shefrin said in a statement. “Attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful. He is survived by his wife Kari and his three children, RAC, Duane and Cindy.”
It’s extremely sad to have to report this to you. It’s my least favorite part of this job. Dick Clark will always hold a special place to me. I’ve gone on the record repeatedly, over and over, saying that Pyramid is the most perfect game show made. It had literally everything any fan wanted. Dick Clark was a major reason for its perfection. Game shows, and television in generally, did not get better. Hearing his suspenseful declaration of, “For $100,000…here is your first subject…GO,” stays with you. When you hear it once you will never forget it.
Simply put he is one of the best broadcasters out there. It’s a luxury to be able to watch his work whenever we want to on YouTube. Anyone who wants to get into broadcasting needs to watch his work. There’s no one else like him, believe me. Without Mr. Clark our genre, and the television and music industry in general, would not be the same. Our thoughts and best wishes are with his family.
What are some of your favorite memories of Dick Clark? I know we have a lot of people reading who have been impacted by Mr. Clark, either by just watching him or working directly with him. We’d love to hear your stories. We’ll post videos as the day progresses of Mr. Clark in action.
UPDATE: GSN issued a statement about a tribute to Dick Clark:
We’re very sorry to hear of the passing of Dick Clark. To honor the beloved host, we will be airing a 15-second tribute during all the regular runs of $25,000 Pyramid on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week (starting tonight with the 3:00am airing). In addition, we will be adding an hour of $25,000 Pyramid on Saturday 4/21 at noon, and will run the tribute during that hour as well. All listed times are ET (Please check local listings):
$25,000 Pyramid Dick Clark Tribute
Wed 4/18 3:00a #836
Thurs 4/19 10:30a & 3:00a #837
Fri 4/20 10:30a & 3:00a #838
Fri 4/20 7:00p #771
Fri 4/20 7:30p #844
Fri 4/20 8:00p #845
Fri 4/20 8:30p #890
Fri 4/20 9:00p #955
Fri 4/20 9:30p #956
Fri 4/20 10:00p #771
Fri 4/20 10:30p #844
Fri 4/20 11:00p #845
Fri 4/20 11:30p #890
Sat 4/21 12:00p #955
Sat 4/21 12:30p #956
***Saturday, 4/21 airings will pre-empt Million Dollar Password
Source : TMZ
pyramid will never be the same without dick clark
R.I.P.
Farewell to “America’s oldest teenager”.
Enjoy a game of Pac-Man with my “$25,000 Pyramid” designed board:
http://worldsbiggestpacman.com/play/#64,23
The same way with A.B./the challengers/the krypton factor as well.
No one will duplicate Dick Clark’s legacy in gameshows from “The Object Is…” to “Winning Lines” he will be missed.
RIP Dick Clark
What can I say that hasn’t already been said?
I grew up watching Dick Clark on reruns of the $100000 Pyramid on USA. (I might have seen episodes of the $25000 Pyramid when they aired on CBS, but I’m too young to know that for sure.)
I definitely remember watching TV’s Bloopers and Practical Jokes on NBC (at least, I think it was NBC); I’m always a sucker for serious shows that inadvertently screw up.
The one think I remember most vividly about Dick Clark (aside from seeing reruns of Pyramid on Game Show Network in 1995 and 2000) was Winning Lines. Sure, it aired for only a brief period of time on CBS, but the fact that Dick Clark could stay cool under pressure at 70 (especially during the Wonder Wall) was astounding.
It’s going to be odd no longer seeing Dick Clark’s name associated with Rockin’ New Year’s Eve, but it also won’t be the same without it. Hats off to one of the hardest working men in the entertainment industry- you will be greatly missed.
I can’t see them changing “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”‘s title, as that was and always will be his show. He made it what it is now and thus, they should keep the “Dick Clark” portion of the title as tribute to him!
I remember watching Pyramid reruns on USA when I was little, and I also remember seeing him on some sort of Saturday Morning show, but I can’t remember what it might have been.
I loved “Winning Lines”! I think it would’ve had a better chance if it had been an hour long instead of 30 minutes, and had aired on a different night.
Then, of course, there’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”! What else can I say other than I don’t think I’ll be able to enjoy ringing in future years as much now that Dick isn’t there to count down with me and so many others.
Finally, I just have to say that Dick is one of the many reasons why I’m working towards becoming a broadcaster myself. I always loved his voice, and think of him everytime I Emcee an event at my college!
God rest your soul, Dick!
With Seacrest taking over the show, it won’t really resemble anything that Dick did with it, so in his memory, ABC ought to retire that part of the title.
If Richard A. II or Kari are still involved in the New Year’s Eve show, then of course the name has to stay. RAC, as his eponymous son is known, has been in charge of production at the company for many years, and if it stays a Dick Clark Productions program, it has to keep the name. Maybe Kari would do the countdown as a handover this time to “pass the torch”.
Similarly, with the GSN plans for Pyramid, I’d definitely have a Dick Clark Tribute week, maybe even get Richard A., Duane, Cindy, or Kari (widow) to get together for a tribute week with civilians playing partnered with the Clark kids and/or widow.
Dick Clark, to me, was a gamer. I remember him for Pyramid, yes, but also Challengers, Scattergories, and Winning Lines, all short-lived but wonderful formats.
How do we know that when we haven’t really seen Seacrest step in as the full-time host yet? I understand a lot of people don’t like Seacrest for one reason or another, but lets not forget that the great Dick Clark himself was the man Seacrest idolised growing up, who gave him guidance throughout his career, and who invited Seacrest to cohost New Years Rockin’ Eve with him when he made his return to TV back in December of 05. Whatever Seacrest’s short-comings of which I personally can’t think of any at the moment, the fact remains that Dick knew and recognized tallent when he saw/heard it.
Personally, I plan to give Seacrest a chance as official host of the program this year and in years to come, as I honestly don’t believe ABC will axe the show simply because of Dick’s death. In fact, they might make more of an effort to promote it this year, because you can bet it’ll be full of tributes to him, and I’m sure he’d want the show to continue.
Almost certain they are keeping his name there. That’s the reason the official name has been “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” for like the last 3 or 4 years.
USA also aired ALL of the episodes of “The $25,000 Pyramid” along with the eps of “The 100,000 Pyramid” back to back. Sure wish they still aired them instead of GSN – too much repeat overkill that Dick doesn’t deserve!
I wouldn’t say USA aired all of $25,000.00 Pyramid, but they definetly aired a lot more of it than GSN and I know for a fact they aired the entire run of $100,000.00 Pyramid.
A Game Show Legend, Dick Clark. He was one of my inspirations to be a game show host. His charm cannot be matched, his wit is classic and he was a stand up human being.
Rest in peace, sir.
I had the chance to meet Dick Clark back in the mid 90′s. I can honestly say that he was one of the most genuine TV personalities I have ever met.
He has been an inspiration to me, not just in the music industry, but as a game show host as well.
We are going to miss Dick,He was a great game show host I used to watch $25,000 Pyramid when it was on Channel 2 here (back when it was a CBS station) and the reruns on GSN Will gsn air a marathon of PYRAMID?
They better!
This Friday night and an extra hour in place of Million $ Password on Saturday afternoon.
I’m sorry that Dick died but he also owned a bunch of restaurants.
His family has my condolences.
Dick Clark will be truley missed. I grew up watch him on American Bandstand, The $25,000 pyramid, Bloopers and Practical Jokes, The Challengers, Scattergories, and many others. He also produced the American Music Awards and Puttin on the Hits( bunch of clips on POTH on youtube).
Even though these shows will never make it to DVD, we can always see clips on youtube and remember them in out memories.
His famous catch line ” For now Dick Clark So Long”.
R.I.P Dick Clark. I will miss you.
What a sad day. I remember watching him on $25,000 Pyramid and Bloopers with Ed Mchahon when I was a kid. He was more than a game show host, he host American Bandstand(the most popular music show, right before MTV and VH1), he produced multiple award shows, and let not forget his annual New Year eve special he host every year until his death. All game show fans will always remember him on every show(even the short lived Winning Lines). RIP.
The first time I watched Dick Clark was on the original Pyramid in 1974 when it was on ABC AT 12:00 NOON. I was a child sitting on a bar stool in a bowling allie. That was where my love of game shows began.
Dick grew up in the Fleetwood section of Mount Vernon NY. The name of the complex is Park Lane, at the intersection of East Lincoln & North Columbus Avenues.
RIP
I grew up watching Dick Clark, not only through the genre of game shows, but through his other genres as well. What makes him so amazing is his versatility. From radio, to television to his role behind the scenes. His is a mogul, and icon, he is simply one of the best!
It was great to see him return when, albeit short lived, Winning Lines came to the air.
It was difficult to see such a vibrant man in the state he was after his stroke. On the flip side, it was wonderful to see him courageous enough to come back to the air.
In the words of the great man himself . . . So long.
I certainly miss the man. You guys have already said a lot for me. :-( RIP Mr. Clark. Just be sure to teach the young angels how to Lindy Hop and Twist.
For the better part of three TV seasons, Dick Clark hosted or co-hosted three different shows on as many networks: “American Bandstand” on ABC, “The (New) $25,000 Pyramid” on CBS and “TV’s Bloopers and Practical Jokes” along with co-host Ed McMahon on NBC.
The above fact was the basis for a Final Jeopardy! answer and a category in the winner’s circle (“Shows hosted by Dick Clark”) in a winner’s circle round on “Pyramid”.
The man was diverse. The *entire* entertainment industry – not just the world of rock and world of game shows – will miss him dearly.
I assume that SHOWS HOSTED BY DICK CLARK was used more than once. Sadly, the one that stays with me is on Donnymid, when the contestant couldn’t get it. When told the category, she asked, “Who’s Dick Clark?”
Dick Clark was one of the true pioneers and visionaries in entertainment, and I like most of you, grew up on Bandstand, and Pyramid, and the New Year’s Eve tradition every year. He has influenced all mediums, and of course, the world of game shows. If GSN brings back Pyramid, they need to look at Clarks version, and find a host with a similar personality that can pull it off. He always made the viewer feel at home, as if he was talking to you, and had a way of connecting with the viewers and his guests on his shows in a way that most people sadly don’t have today. I will miss seeing Dick on the air, but, like most, through Youtube and GSN, will enjoy classic Pyramid and Bandstand for years to come. I look forward to meeting you up there in heaven, Dick, enjoy yourself! (I have lots of questions to ask you!) He is one of the top 3 people when entering broadcasting that I looked up to as an example. For now Mr. Clark…so long! Godspeed!
So do I. I also look forward to meeting him when I’ll be up there. I can talk to him for hours.
I’m sorry if I mentioned it.
I grew up on Dick Clark’s pyramid when I came home for lunch from school. The man had dignity, enthusiasm, sincerity. The interesting thing is hearing him say how Bill Cullen was one of the few people he felt nervous around, because he admired BIll so much for his abilities.
First announcer Rich Jeffries passed now Icon Dick Clark. What a sad week of news this year.
I was about to mention that.
It’s sad because he was getting better and i thought he would fully recover from the stroke he had. The good news is he is in a better place. it’s going to be hard to ring in the new year without him but i know he’ll be looking down on times square on new years eve to see the ball drop.
Dick Clark was to this generation’s New Year’s Eve what Guy Lombardo was to our parents’/grandparents’ era…not gonna be easy to find the new icon: Anderson Cooper (CNN), Carson Daly (NBC), or maybe Seacrest will step in at ABC after the last few years of grooming. Know what? Let’s just tribute and remember for now, and leave the decisions to those in charge…
the first time i saw dick clark on TV was in 2000 when he hosted Wining Lines on cbs.
So much focus on TV, but he also had a national radio presence with Countdown America, the National !usic Survey and Rock, Roll& Remember.
Kind of ironic GSN bought a new season of Pyramid the same day DC died. Coincidence?
Definitely have Kari and RA together for a Pyramid week as part of a Dick Clark tribute — have the widow and one of the children — or have the widow and three kids together as part of the week.
Which season is it?
Nobody knows yet…the schedule doesn’t have episode #s.
Given how they jumped around yesterday perhaps they were rushing the new season…regardless it was a fitting tribute and although Osmond’s Pyramid stunk…good idea adding the dick clark challenge to the tribute didn’t realize they still had those rights
I didn’t know GSN was actually showing Donny Osmond’s version of Pyramid today. On my TV Guide, it still says Deal or No Deal.
Just goes to show you that GSN has the rights to a ton of game shows that they choose just not to air on their schedule, for some reason or another.
Still, it was a nice gesture by GSN for honoring Dick Clark.
End of an era for Dick Clark – he discovered more than 10,000 globally known recording artists appearing on American Bandstand through the deacades.
Dick Clark: a true TV legend.
Dick Clark: a true TV legend who hosted “The American Bandstand”, “Rockin’ New Year’s Eve” and $10,000/$25,000/$100,000 Pyramid.” America’s oldest teenager. RIP