AKA Richard Wagstaff Clark

Born: 30-Nov-1929
Birthplace: Mt. Vernon, NY

Gender: Male
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: TV Personality, Actor, Disc Jockey

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Preserved host of American Bandstand

After graduating high school in 1947, Dick Clark started as an office worker at WRUN-AM in Rome, NY. Almost immediately he was asked to fill in for the vacationing weatherman, and within a few months he was announcing station breaks. His quick rise may have been helped by the fact that his uncle owned the station, and his father managed it. By 1952, Clark was disc-jockeying at WFIL in Philadelphia, and subbed as host on a local TV show called Bandstand, with teenagers dancing to rock-and-roll records. Clark got the gig permanently when the show's first host, Bob Horn, was arrested for drunk driving. Bandstand went national as American Bandstand in 1957, and ran until 1989. Clark left the show in 1987.

Clark has hosted and produced dozens of TV shows, from TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes to New Year's Rockin' Eve, ad nauseum. He also produced the Jack Nicholson LSD flick Psych-Out (1968), and authored Dick Clark's Easygoing Guide to Good Grooming. But it was rock and roll that made Dick Clark a millionaire, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. It is unknown whether he actually likes rock and roll.

Dick's son RAC produces the annual Academy of Country Music Awards telecast.

Father: Richard A.
Mother: Julia
Brother: Bradley (killed in WWII)
Wife: Barbara Mallery (m. 1951, div. 1962)
Son: Richard A. Clark ("RAC", b. 9-Jan-1957 in Philadelphia)
Wife: Loretta Martin (m. 1962, div. 1971)
Son: Duane
Daughter: Cindy
Wife: Karen Wigton (m. 1977)

    Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity
    Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame
    Radio Hall of Fame
    Hollywood Walk of Fame Sunset & Vine (television)
    Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 1993
    Emmy multiple
    Stroke 8-Dec-2004 (mild)
    Risk Factors: Diabetes

    TELEVISION
    American Bandstand Host (1956-87)
    The $10,000 Pyramid Host (1973-88)

    FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR
    Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (31-Dec-2002) Himself
    Bowling for Columbine (15-May-2002) Himself
    Spy Kids (18-Mar-2001)
    The Suburbans (25-Jan-1999) Himself
    Live Aid (13-Jul-1985) Himself
    Deadman's Curve (3-Feb-1978) Himself
    Wild in the Streets (29-May-1968)

Official Website:
http://www.dickclarkproductions.com/

Do you know something we don't?
Submit a correction or make a comment about this profile

Copyright ©2008 Soylent Communications