RIP Dick Clark: Ryan Seacrest, President Obama, Joan Rivers Mourn The Loss Of Legendary TV Host

It’s going to be a very sad new years. Dick Clark, the legendary TV personality, passed away yesterday at the age of 82. Clark spent more than half a century in the public eye and touched the lives of thousands of people. Public figures like Ryan Seacrest, Joan Rivers, and President Obama have all released statements honoring the late great Dick Clark.

Seacrest, who has hosted Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve alongside Clark for the last few years, said:

“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. I idolized him from the start, and I was graced early on in my career with his generous advice and counsel. When I joined his show in 2006 , it was a dream come true to work with him every New Year’s Eve for the last 6 years. He was smart, charming, funny and always a true gentleman. I learned a great deal from him, and I’ll always be indebted to him for his faith and support of me. He was a remarkable host and businessman and left a rich legacy to television audiences around the world. We will all miss him.”

Joan Rivers added:

“Very sad to hear about Dick Clark. What a great life. What a great career. Relevant until the end. He will be missed!”

Dick Clark started his career in the 1940s but rose to fame in the 1950s with “American Bandstand.” The show ran for over 30 years and made Clark a household name around the country. Clark has been in several TV shows and movies, has produced the CMAs, the AMAs, the Emmys, and the Golden Globes, has won several daytime Emmys and has a star on the Hollywod Walk of Fame. The younger generation, however, knows him as the guy who rings in New Years.

Clark started hosting his annual New Year’s Eve gig in 1972. In 40 years, he has only missed the show twice due to illness.

President Obama wrote in a statement:

“Michelle and I are saddened to hear about the passing of Dick Clark. With ‘American Bandstand,’ he introduced decades’ worth of viewers to the music of our times. He reshaped the television landscape forever as a creative and innovative producer. And, of course, for 40 years, we welcomed him into our homes to ring in the New Year. But more important than his groundbreaking achievements was the way he made us feel — as young and vibrant and optimistic as he was. As we say a final ‘so long’ to Dick Clark, America’s oldest teenager, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends — which number far more than he knew.”

You can read more celebrity tributes here.

Were you a fan of Dick Clark’s?