Dick Clark

Photo of Dick Clark

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 …
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Job Title

Actor, Producer, Below The Line

Born

November 30, 1929

Career Milestones

2011

Executive produced and made final appearance on "Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2012" (ABC)

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

2003

Made final TV acting appearance with a guest cameo on "Baby Bob" (CBS)

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"

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

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

1998

Co-hosted the weekly "TV Censored Bloopers" (NBC)

1996

Executive produced the "48th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards" (ABC)

1993

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

1989

Hosted game show "Scattergories" (NBC)

1988

Executive produced and hosted "Live! Dick Clark Presents" (CBS)

1987

Dick Clark Productions went public

1987

Began producing the annual telecast of the Golden Globe Awards

1985

Executive produced feature "Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins"

1984

Executive produced the syndicated "Puttin' on the Hits"

1984

Co-hosted and executive produced "TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes"

1981

Hosted game show "The Krypton Factor" (ABC)

1979

Produced TV-movie "The Man in the Santa Claus Suit" (NBC), starring Fred Astaire

1978

Hosted and produced "Dick Clark's Live Wednesday" (NBC)

1976

Received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

1974

Began producing "The American Music Awards" (ABC), an alternative to the annual Grammy Awards

1973

Hosted and produced "Dick Clark Presents The Rock 'n Roll Years"

1973

Hosted "The $10,000 Pyramid"; subsequently "The $25,000 Pyramid" and eventually "The $100,000 Pyramid" (CBS, syndicated)

1972

Hosted and executive produced annual "New Years' Rockin' Eve" special

1968

Produced first feature film "Psych-Out"

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

1963

Hosted game show "The Object Is" (ABC)

1960

Made acting debut in drama feature "Because They're Young"

1958

Hosted "The Dick Clark Show" (ABC)

1957

Started Dick Clark Productions

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

1952

Was staff announcer for "Paul Whiteman's TV Teen Club" (ABC)

1950

Hired as staff announcer for WOLF-AM in Syracuse, NY

1951

Worked as announcer for WKTV in Utica, NY

1945

Began career in the mailroom of WRUN-AM in Utica, NY; station owned by his uncle and run by his father

Awards

1988

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety-Music Events Programming in The American Music Awards