Dick Clark, the legendary television producer & television host, has just died of a massive heart attack, TMZ is reporting.
The early report is saying that Clark, who was 82, went into the hospital for an outpatient procedure & suffered a heart attack shortly afterward. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Clark had been suffering from a host of health issues since 2004, when he suffered a debilitating stroke. As an end result of the stroke, he was forced to retire from “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” — Ryan Seacrest took over the show in 2006.
He served as chairman and chief executive officer of Dick Clark Productions, which he has sold part of in recent years. Clark is best known for hosting long-running television shows such as American Bandstand, five versions of the game show Pyramid, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Clark has long been known for his departing catchphrase, “For now, Dick Clark…so long,” delivered with a military salute, and for his youthful appearance, earning the moniker “America’s Oldest Teenager.”
In addition, Clark has a stake in a chain of music-themed restaurants licensed under the names “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill”, “Dick Clark’s AB Grill”, “Dick Clark’s Bandstand — Food, Spirits & Fun” and “Dick Clark’s AB Diner”. There are currently three airport locations in Newark, New Jersey; Phoenix, Arizona; and Salt Lake City, Utah, one location in the Molly Pitcher travel plaza on the New Jersey Turnpike in Cranbury, New Jersey, and one location at “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater” in Branson, Missouri.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Clark — you will be missed.