Broadcaster Dick Clark has died
The `American Bandstand` host passed away from a "massive heart attack" at St. John`s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, this morning 18.04.12. He was staying at the facility after undergoing an outpatient procedure on 17.04.12.
Dick`s agent, Paul Shefrin, said: "Attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful. He is survived by his wife Kari and his three children, RAC, Duane and Cindy."
Dick - who was 82 - was nicknamed "the world`s oldest teenager" because of his youthful looks and made his name with `American Bandstand`, one of network TV`s longest-running series, airing on ABC from 1957 to 1987.
Teenagers were shown dancing to the latest records on the show, interspersed with sections of Dick talking to them and getting them to "rate-a-record."
Stars who appeared on it included Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Chubby Checker, Michael Jackson and Madonna.
He also created and fronted `Dick Clark`s New Year`s Rockin` Eve` from 1972, which saw him host a huge New Year party in Times Square, New York, annually. Although it was taken off air in 1999, he continued to host the December 31 party in the iconic square.
Dick had slowed his work rate after suffering a stroke in 2004, but continued as a media personality and working for his company Dick Clark Productions - responsible for shows such as `Pyramid`, `Scattergories` and `The Challengers`.
In his career, Dick was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, inducted into the Rock `n` Roll hall of fame and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame.
He also received a total of five Emmy Awards, one of which was a Lifetime Achievement award.
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