Biography
Clark moved swiftly up the radio ladder at various East Coast stations before assuming the mantle of "Bandstand" host during its infancy in Philadelphia. His compassion for his young viewers, combined with his determination to spread the show's message of music and fun for all viewers, no matter their background or race, made him a trendsetter for the younger set while he, himself, was in his thirties. Ever-youthful in appearance even well …
Latest Tv Credits
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Career Milestones
1945 | Began career in the mailroom of WRUN-AM in Utica, NY; station owned by his uncle and run by his father |
1950 | Hired as staff announcer for WOLF-AM in Syracuse, NY |
1951 | Worked as announcer for WKTV in Utica, NY |
1952 | Was staff announcer for "Paul Whiteman's TV Teen Club" (ABC) |
1956 | Hosted music and dance program "American Bandstand" in daytime, primetime, and Saturday versions |
1956 | Substituted for host Bob Horn on local Philadelphia, PA show "Bob Horn's Bandstand"; named permanent host after Horn was fired for a drunk driving arrest |
1957 | Started Dick Clark Productions |
1958 | Hosted "The Dick Clark Show" (ABC) |
1960 | Made acting debut in drama feature "Because They're Young" |
1963 | Hosted game show "The Object Is" (ABC) |
1964 | Made dramatic TV debut on two episodes of "Burke's Law" (NBC); hosted game show "Missing Links" (ABC) |
1964 | Moved "American Bandstand" production from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, CA |
1968 | Produced first feature film "Psych-Out" |
1972 | Hosted and executive produced annual "New Years' Rockin' Eve" special |
1973 | Hosted "The $10,000 Pyramid"; subsequently "The $25,000 Pyramid" and eventually "The $100,000 Pyramid" (CBS, syndicated) |
1973 | Hosted and produced "Dick Clark Presents The Rock 'n Roll Years" |
1974 | Began producing "The American Music Awards" (ABC), an alternative to the annual Grammy Awards |
1976 | Received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame |
1978 | Hosted and produced "Dick Clark's Live Wednesday" (NBC) |
1979 | Produced TV-movie "The Man in the Santa Claus Suit" (NBC), starring Fred Astaire |
1981 | Hosted game show "The Krypton Factor" (ABC) |
1984 | Co-hosted and executive produced "TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes" |
1984 | Executive produced the syndicated "Puttin' on the Hits" |
1985 | Executive produced feature "Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins" |
1987 | Began producing the annual telecast of the Golden Globe Awards |
1987 | Dick Clark Productions went public |
1988 | Executive produced and hosted "Live! Dick Clark Presents" (CBS) |
1989 | Hosted game show "Scattergories" (NBC) |
1993 | Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |
1996 | Executive produced the "48th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards" (ABC) |
1998 | Co-hosted the weekly "TV Censored Bloopers" (NBC) |
2001 | In December, filed $10 million lawsuit against Michael Green, the president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, claiming that Greene barred artists from appearing on Grammy Award telecasts if they appeared on the American Music Awards, produced by Clark |
2001 | Sold Dick Clark Productions for $137 million to a group of private investors; stayed on as chairman and chief executive; produced various shows and cultivated other parts of the business, including Dick Clark Restaurants |
2002 | Created and executive produced the NBC drama series "American Dreams," which featured classic performances from "American Bandstand" |
2002 | Portrayed himself in George Clooney's directorial debut "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" |
2003 | Made final TV acting appearance with a guest cameo on "Baby Bob" (CBS) |
2005 | Co-hosted the "New Year's Rockin' Eve" special after taking time off to recover from a stroke; first TV appearance in over a year |
2011 | Executive produced and made final appearance on "Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2012" (ABC) |
Awards
1988 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety-Music Events Programming in The American Music Awards |