Biography for
Dick Clark (I)

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Date of Birth

30 November 1929, Mount Vernon, New York, USA

Birth Name

Richard Wagstaff Clark

Nickname

The World's Oldest Teenager

Height

5' 9" (1.75 m)

Spouse

Kari Wigton	(7 July 1977 - present)
Loretta Martin	(25 April 1962 - 1971) (divorced) 2 children
Barbara Mallery	(28 June 1952 - 6 May 1961) (divorced) 1 child

Trade Mark

His departing catchphrase delivered with a military salute.

Trivia

He and his wife Kari were married on 7/7/77 in a ceremony that started at 7:00 pm. His address in Burbank at that time was PO Box 7777.

Actor John Davidson's father was the man who performed Dick and Kari's wedding vows.

First wife Barbara Mallery was his childhood sweetheart.

Began his career in 1945 in the mailroom of WRUN in Utica, New York, working his way up to weatherman and then newsman.

Graduated from Syracuse University in 1951 with a degee in business administration.

When "Bandstand" (1952) was picked up by ABC in 1957, he changed its name to "American Bandstand", ended the show's all-white policy and began introducing black artists. By 1959 it was broadcast by 101 affiliates and reached an audience of 20 million.

In 1959 the U.S. Senate began investigating the practice of "payola", in which record companies bribed radio personalities to play new records. Clark admitted he accepted a fur stole and jewelry and held financial interests in artists and songs that were frequently on "Bandstand" (1952). Even though he was cleared of any wrongdoing, he was ordered to either leave ABC or sell his interests; he sold.

Children with Loretta Martin: Duane Clark and Cindy Clark.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

Was the co-owner of Film Ventures International Pictures with Edward L. Montoro for several years.

On 2/14/02, Dick Clark Productions announced it will be acquired for $140 million by Mosaic Media Group, Inc., Capital Communications CDPQ Inc., and Jules Haimovitz, a senior television executive. Stockholders will receive $14.50 per share in cash. Clark himself will receive $12.50 per share in cash for a portion of his shares. Dick Clark Productions was founded in 1957.

Child with first wife Barbara Mallery, Richard, Jr., was born 9 January 1957 in Philadelphia, PA.

He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1990.

Filed suit in federal court in Los Angeles, alleging that Michael Greene, president and chief executive of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, maintains a "blacklist" policy that prevents stars - including Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs and Toni Braxton - from performing on both Greene's Grammy Awards and Clark's American Music Awards. The suit seeks $10 million in damages. (19 December 2001)

Rarely consumes alcoholic beverages, and every December 31, when he and his wife host "Rockin' New Year's Eve", she doesn't drink, either.

Was hospitalized for a mild stroke and is reportedly doing fine. [8 December 2004]

2005: For the first time in 32 years, he was not around to see the New Year in with his "Rockin' New Year's Eve" celebration on TV. It was hoped that after he had suffered his mild stroke in early December 2004 that he would recover enough to host the festivities. With Clark still in his hospital bed on New Year's Eve, Regis Philbin filled in for him.

Is a close personal friend of singer Connie Francis. Connie's music label was going to drop her if her last recorded song didn't sell. Thankfully, Dick played it, "Who's Sorry Now", on "Bandstand" (1952) and it became an instant hit. Dick has stayed by her side even through her personal tragedies and she thanks him in every single one of her shows.

In one of his few dramatic roles, he played against his nice guy image to portray the murderer in the final episode (air date 2 May 1966) of "Perry Mason" (1957). The episode was appropriately titled "The Case of the Final Fadeout". He also played against type as a nerdy guy who turns out to be a psycho killer in the film Killers Three (1968).

He produced the late Friday night "In Concert" ABC TV series (1972-73 ) which featured many of the top rock acts of the day including Alice Cooper, Jim Croce and The Allman Brothers.

Personal Quotes

Humor is always based on a modicum of truth. Have you ever heard a joke about a father-in-law?

Music is the soundtrack of our life.

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