Dick Clark, the seemingly ageless television fixture who hosted “American Bandstand” and helped the nation celebrate New Year’s Eve for nearly 40 years, died today, April 18, in Santa Monica of a massive heart attack at age 82.
Affectionately known as “America’s oldest teenager” for his perennially youthful looks and enthusiastic attitude, Clark went to St. John’s Health Center last night for an “outpatient procedure,” but suffered a “massive heart attack,” publicist Paul Shefrin said.
“Attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful,” Shefrin said.
Famed for his hosting duties on “American Bandstand” and “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” Clark suffered a stroke in 2004 that forced him largely out of the public eye, although he continued to make appearances on the New Year’s Eve special alongside new host Ryan Seacrest. The 2004 stroke forced him to miss his New Year’s Eve special for the first time since 1972.
His stroke came a year after he announced that he had Type 2 diabetes.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark,” Seacrest wrote on his Twitter page.
“He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
