Inspiration And Expert Advice: Famous People

Dick Clark Biography

Claim to Fame: Entertainer
DOB: November 30, 1929
Diabetes Type: 2

Dick Clark was born November 30, 1929 in Mount Vernon, New York. He was the youngest child having only one other sibling. His older brother Bradley died serving in World War II. Clark started off his working career by helping out in the mailroom of a radio station owned by his uncle and managed by his father in New York. While still attending high school, he went on to be promoted to weatherman. He received a degree from Syracuse University in 1951. Clark moved to Philadelphia in 1952 to take on a job as a disc jockey. He would sometimes fill in as a substitute on an affiliated television show called “Bob Horn’s Band.” In 1956 he became the full time host of the show and the name was changed to “American Bandstand”. The show was aired for the first time nationally on ABC in 1957, and it soon after was moved to Hollywood.

During the early 1970’s Clark hosted and produced his own show titled “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”. Every New Year’s Eve since 1972, the show has aired on ABC. It eventually earned Clark a Peabody Award, and he later went on to host his own game show titled “The $10,000 Pyramid” in 1973. The success of the hit game show was rewarded with nine Emmys, and Clark himself was recognized with three Emmy Awards as best game show host.

In 1973, the creative dynamo created the American Music Awards, which showcased the more popular trends of the music industry. During the 1980’s and 90’s Clark would continue to create new game shows such as “The Challengers” and “Greed”. Clark has opened up a chain of music-themed restaurants such as “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill” and others located throughout the country. His Missouri- based theatre - 57 Heaven – has the largest collection of 1957 automobiles and memorabilia on display in the United States.

Clark discovered that he had type 2 diabetes in 2003 and was hospitalized the following year after suffering a mild stroke. He was not able to host his New Year’s Eve show in 2005, but had a substitute host instead. Clark returned to television again the following year after a lengthy recovery, and remains the host of the annual New Year’s Eve show.

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