The TV Icons Life and Career in Pictures

Publish date: 2024-05-16

Dick Clark 1929-2012: The TV Icon’s Life and Career in Pictures

Dick Clark and Connie Francis
One of the many careers made by Clark was singer Connie Francis. Her breakthrough cover of "Who's Sorry Now?" went on to sell more than a million copies after debuting on American Bandstand.
‘The Dick Clark Show’
For two years, starting in 1958, Dick Clark also hosted a 30-minute Saturday program, The Dick Clark Show (aka The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show).
Dick Clark and R.A.
Dick Clark's first child, Richard A. Clark (or "R.A.") shares his father's first and last names, but not his middle: Wagstaff.
‘Because They’re Young’
"America's Oldest Teenager" played a teacher in the 1960 film Because They're Young, which found him trying to make a difference in his students' lives.
‘Circus of the Stars’
Dick Clark made three appearances on Circus of the Stars when the CBS special aired between 1977 and 1994.
Dick Clark’s Children
Dick Clark had three children: Richard, Cindy and Duane, who followed in his father's TV footsteps by working as a producer, director and screenwriter.
Dick Clark and ‘American Bandstand’
Dick Clark's American Bandstand premiered nationally on Aug. 5, 1957, and his inaugural broadcast included an interview with Elvis Presley.
‘Pyramid’
The $10,000 Pyramid with Dick Clark debuted on network television in March 1973. There were several different versions of the game show, including The $25,000 Pyramid, The $20,000 Pyramid and The $100,000 Pyramid.
Dick Clark in 1981
Dick Clark has hosted a bevy of programs throughout his career, including game shows, specials and variety shows.
Dick Clark and Connie Francis
After helping her rise to fame on American Bandstand, Dick Clark brought Connie Francis onto his variety series, The Dick Clark Show.
Michael Jackson and Dick Clark
Among the celebrities Dick Clark interviewed throughout his storied career was singer Michael Jackson, who he chatted with in the early 1970s in this photo.
Back in 1981
A 51-year-old Dick Clark warmed up the crowd at MusicFest in 1981 with stories from the 1950s and performing a little dance.
Dick Clark and Ed McMahon
Dick Clark and Ed McMahon, who died at 86 in 2009, co-hosted the television series TV's Bloopers & Pratical Jokes.
The First Pitch
Dick Clark helps eight-year-old Alicia Blake, who won a contest to in order to do the honors, throw out the first pitch before a St. Louis Cardinals-Cincinnati Reds game.
Campbell’s Soup Contest
Dick Clark puts his best face forward at the kick-off to Campbell's "Funniest Noodle" contest in Times Square in 1999. The grand prize was $10,000 and a trip to the Millennium Party in New York.
Dick Clark and the AMAs
Another Dick Clark production, the American Music Awards saw the producer join Kelly Clarkson and Nick Lachey at the 2004 nominations announcement for the annual show.
Dick Clark
Dick Clark and his wife Kari Wigton attended the Out and About premiere. The couple married in 1977.
Ringing in the New Year
Minutes before midnight, Dick Clark broadcasts live from Time Square in New York City during his New Year's Rockin' Eve special in 1998.
Dick Clark and the ACMAs
Before his stroke in 2004, Clark appeared at the 39th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards (a Dick Clark production) alongside country crooners Troy Gentry, Eddie Montgomery, Terri Clark and Brad Paisley.
‘The Other Half’
Dick Clark briefly sat on a panel talk show The Other Half, billed as a male answer to ABC's The View. On one episode, he joined co-hosts Mario Lopez and Danny Bonaduce and Dr. Jan Adams parodying the women of The View in drag.
Dick Clark, Alicia Keys and Usher
Young until the end, Dick Clark hung out with Alicia Keys and Usher at the 2004 American Music Awards.
Dick Clark Receiving AMA Merit Award
Bon Jovi presented Dick Clark with the Merit Award during rehearsals for the 2004 American Music Awards, two months before the stroke that sidelined the producer's career.
Dick Clark Productions
Up until his stroke in 2004, Dick Clark actively produced annual telecasts such as the Golden Globe Awards and New Year's Rockin' Eve.
Hosting ‘American Bandstand’
Dick Clark, who also served as a producer, hosted music performance show American Bandstand from 1956 until its final season in 1989.
Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest
"He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life," Ryan Seacrest said of his late mentor and New Year's Rockin' Eve co-host.
STORY: Ryan Seacrest Reacts to Death of Friend and Idol Dick Clark
The 2006 Emmys
One of his few TV appearances outside of New Year's Rockin' Eve after his 2004 stroke, Dick Clark was honored at the 2006 Emmys.
Fergie, Seacrest and Clark
Singer Fergie and Ryan Seacrest sandwich Dick Clark in a publicity photo promoting a broadcast of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest.
Dick Clark and Kari Wigton
Dick Clark wed his third wife, Kari Wigton, in 1977. They remained together until his 2012 death, marking the broadcasting legend's longest marriage.
“New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”
Dick Clark appeared in the 2012 New Year's Rockin' Eve telecast on ABC.