TV legend Dick Clark dies of massive heart attack at 82
April 20th, 2012 by faye
Game-show host and TV legend Dick Clark died of a massive heart attack on Wednesday morning.
According to reports, famed TV producer 82-year-old Dick Clark suffered from a massive heart attack after being admitted to St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica on Tuesday night for an outpatient procedure. Attempts to resuscitate Clark were unsuccessful.
Before his sudden demise due to a massive heart attack, Dick Clark had suffered a stroke in 2004, which forced him to significantly curtail his hosting of “New Years’ Rockin’ Eve,” – a show he created in 1972. Months before he suffered from a stroke, Clark told Larry King he also suffered from Type 2 diabetes.
Dick Clark’s first big break was in 1956 when he hosted “Bob Horn’s Bandstand” – which was later renamed “American Bandstand.” Clark continued to host and produce “American Bandstand” until 1989.
In addition, the TV legend also hosted a series of game shows, such as “Pyramid,” “Scattergories,” “The Challengers,” and a lot more. Dick Clark had been inducted in almost every hall of fame, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. He had also received a total of five Emmy Awards for his work, as well as a Peabody Award. One Emmy was a lifetime achievement award.
Dick Clark was married three times and has three children from his first two marriages. He is survived by his current wife, Kari Wigton.
Some Hollywood celebrities expressed their condolences to Clark who passed away due to a massive heart attack. Ryan Seacrest took to Twitter his sympathy and wrote, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark. He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life.”
Singer Donny Osmond said, “The industry lost a legend today, but I feel like I’ve lost a very close friend. Dick was a mentor to me.”
Miss Universe president Paula Shugart – who started working for Dick Clark Productions in 1985 – said that Clark “gave me my first break in TV. His death is hitting all of us hard.”