Sad news to report today. Legendary TV host and producer Dick Clark has died after suffering a massive heart attack. Clark was 82 years old.He hosted the iconic and long-running American Bandstand, but of course we love him best for his work on Pyramid. Dick Clark was a game show favorite for many, many years, appearing as a contestant or panelist on shows as diverse as To Tell the Truth and Hollywood Squares. He hosted several game shows, including Scattergories and The Challengers, but some of his best work can be seen on Pyramid in any of its dollar-value incarnations.
Of course Clark is also well-known for his annual New Years' Eve special, New Years' Rockin' Eve. One of my favorite programs of his was a staple of my teenage years: TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes.
Dick Clark was a television icon for multiple generations, producing, hosting, and appearing in some of the most influential and popular shows on the air from the 1950s onwards. I actually, briefly, met Dick Clark at Toronto's Pearson International Airport in the mid-90s - just long enough for my star-struck self to thrust out my hand and tell him what I big fan I am. He was gracious and kind, smiled, shook my hand and said thank you before his security people kept him moving along. I will never forget the star power he carried with him though, even just walking through an airport.
Clark is survived by his wife Kari, and his three children. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.
Photo courtesy Getty Images
Comments
I always loved The Krypton Factor–many shows of today wish they were like that.
Dick Clark’s hands are in cement in Hersheypark, and mine fit into his perfectly; but nobody could ever fill his shoes.
one of my favorite people and a television legend dick clark
is true humble for me i been watching pyramid long time ago
and i love it he been hosting for 15 years and it’s sad that
he pass away yesterday i will be miss my love.
Just read the Randy West piece. Holy crap! Ten Pyramid episodes in one day?! I used to produce a local game show in Indy. We would sometimes tape four episodes in a day…and THAT nearly wiped us out! I have new respect for the Pyramid crew! You guys are game show Iron Men (and Women)!
RIP, Dick. You were a very important part of my teen years. You will be missed.
Dick Clark was one of my favorite gameshow host of all time. The other gameshow he hosted as well was Winning Lines. Scattergories was a gameshow I liked as well.