A late American TV personality Dick Clark gave more than 6 decades to the industry. Having started his career from mailroom in a radio station, the Mount Vernon-born hosted many popular TV show including American Bandstand (1956-1989), Pyramid game show (1973-1988), and TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes (1981-2004).
The 4-time Emmy Award winner worked professionally from 1945 until his death in 2012 due to heart attack. Clark was married for three times & was father of three (with first & second wife) but shared none with his third wife.
Where Was Dick Clark From? Birth Name & Family?
Born on 30th November 1929 in Mount Vernon, New York, the USA, Clark's birth name was Richard Augustus Wagstaff Clark Jr. But later with his prominence TV career, he even earned the nickname 'The World's Oldest Teenager'.
Dick Clark was the second son of Julia Fuller Clark and Richard Augustus Clark, a manager in WRUN radio in Utica, New York. His elder brother Bradley was killed in the Battle of the Bulge during the World War II.
The late American TV show host was an American by nationality & was of white ethnicity. He died on April 18, 2012, at the age of 82.
Education
He attended A.B. Davis High School in Mount Vernon. During high school, he was only an average student. When he was only ten years old Clark has decided that he will pursue his career in radio. As to pursue his goal, he attended Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. He had completed his graduation in 1951 with a degree in advertising and a minor in radio.
Radio As Well As A TV Personality- Host Of 'American Bandstand'
Dick Clark began his career in radio in 1945 while as an undergraduate- worked in the mailroom at WRUN, an Am radio station in Rome, New York. And upon graduation, he joined WKTV in Utica, New York & later became its news caster.
By 1952, Clark moved to Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania and worked as a disc jockey at radio station WFIL for a few year. Then in 1956, the stream of success embraced him as he became the host of American Bandstand through 1989.
During the early 60s, Richard (aka Clark) even branched out for hosting TV game shows- hosted a game show named ‘The Object Is’ which canceled after a year in 1964. But it was only after a decade, he would succeed.
In 1973, he became the first host of The $10,000 Pyramid, of which many spin-offs creation prolonged his hosting career through 1988. Not to mention, the late TV host won 3 Emmy Awards for Best Game-Show Host.
While working with tight schedules of TV shows, he concurrently took his radio career along the way. Back in 1963, Clark hosted his own radio program The Dick Clark Radio Show. Then, it saw his radio days at American Top 40 and Dick Clark's Rock, Roll & Remember (1982-2004).
How Much Was Net Worth Of Dick Clark?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, at the time of death, Clark (birth name: Richard Wagstaff Clark) had a net worth of $200 million. Most of his income were from his radio & TV hosting career, but substantial fortune came through his business ventures too.
Often his success talks & influence in the modern days gets his reflection in one of the most successful TV hosts, Ryan Seacrest.
Reportedly, Seacrest's career hiked after hosting American Idol in 2002, & later would sign a 7-year deal worth $45 million that followed multi-million dollars worth renewals. Currently, as of 2022, Ryan has a net worth of $450 million.
Business Venture & Real Estates
Throughout his haydays, Dick Clark owned several radio stations including Riverside, California-based KPRO (now KFOO) from 1964 to 1978. No wonder, he would later launch his radio syndication United Stations Radio Network in 1982 (it was sold in 1994 after a merger & was then 'Unistar').
Moreover, in 1987, he founded Dick Clark Productions and served as its CEO & sold his stakes later.
In addition to that, the radio & TV personality shoved his hands into restaurant business & founded the chain American Bandstand Diner.
As for his real estates, Clark's estate own the 11-acre bluff in Malibu, which he bought from Pepperdine University for $15 million in 2002. Reportedly, the property named "Gulls Way" featuring a main house (6000 sq.ft) and a guest house is worth $30 million in 2022 and is one of highly-desirable wedding and event venues.
Back on December 17, 2014, the Pyramid Show late host's one-bedroom & two-bathroom house in Malibu was sold for $1.778 million. It was 2 years later his death. Previously, the residence was on the market for $3.25 million in 2013 but chopped it asking price by a half as it didn't buyer earlier.
Married For Three Times- Wife, Divorce & Children
Dick Clark was married thrice in his lifetime. Until his last days, he lived with his third wife Kari Wigton Clark; they had exchanged vows on July 7, 1977, after 4 years of the TV host's second divorce.
Even though, Clark didn't share any kids with Kari, he was already father of three from his previous marriages.
Firstly, the American Bandstand host married Barbara Mallery on June 28, 1952. They even welcomed son Richard, Jr. on January 9, 1957. However, they divorced on November 21, 1961, ending nearly a decade-long marriage.
Then the 1990 Radio Hall of Fame inductee was in another decade-long marital relationship with Loretta Martin (m. April 25, 1962- div. March 1973). Together, they were parents to Duane Clark and Cindy Clark, both of them are a s sociated with TV career.
Reportedly, Clark was grandfather of three at the time of death.
When & How Did Dick Clark Die?
Richard (aka Dick Clark) died at the age of 82, on April 12, 2012, in a Santa Monica hospital. The reason of his death was heart failure. His cremation took place on April 20 & his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
Since the early 2000s, the illness & health issue of the TV host was in a question. During an interview on Larry King Live in April 2004, he confirmed that he had Type 2 diabetes. And following 8 months, in December 2004, he suffered a a minor stroke & was hospitalized in Los Angeles.
To worsen even more, Clark was diagnosed with dysarthria, as a result of stroke- it made him unable to speak clearly from later on.
by Bchrome, 18 Dec, 2016
