Dick Clark was one of the most iconic figures in the history of American
television and entertainment. However, the man wouldn’t have been what he was without
his wife. Join Facts Verse as Dick Clark confesses she was the love of his life.
Early Life Richard Wagstaff Clark,
known professionally as Dick Clark, was born in Mount Vernon, New York, on November 30,
1929. He grew up in the Bronx and attended Syracuse University, where he majored in
advertising and radio. After graduating, he landed his first job as a radio announcer in Utica,
New York. Dick’s first job as a radio announcer in Utica was at WRUN. He started there in 1945,
at the age of 16, and quickly became one of the most popular DJs in the area. Clark was known for
his smooth voice and his ability to connect with his listeners, and he quickly gained a
following among young people who were drawn to his upbeat personality and his love of music.
Clark's big break came in the early 1950s when he began hosting a rock and roll radio
show called "The Dick Clark Show" on WFIL in Philadelphia. "The Dick Clark Show" was
a popular radio program that aired in the popular city during the 1950s and early 1960s. The program
was a major success and helped to launch Clark's career as one of the most influential figures in
American music history. In 1956, Clark began hosting a television show called "American
Bandstand," which showcased popular music artists and dance performances.
"American Bandstand" was a music-based television program that aired from 1952 to 1989. The show,
which originated in Philadelphia, was originally created by a figure named Bob Horn. However,
it was later taken over by Dick Clark. Clark was able to secure the role of host after Bob was
fired due to a drunk driving incident. Like Dick’s radio program, the show featured live musical
performances. This time, though, the whole thing was televised, and this also allowed for some
groundbreaking dance segments featuring teenagers dancing to the latest chart-topping hits. Over
the next few years, with Dick as the host, "American Bandstand" became a national phenomenon,
attracting millions of viewers every day and introducing the world to some of the biggest
names in rock and roll, including Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Some of the many
other musicians that Dick Clark helped to launch the careers of include Bobby Darin, Brenda Lee,
Chubby Checker, and Neil Sedaka. He also played a key role in promoting the careers of countless
other artists, both through his television shows and his work behind the scenes in the music
industry. Clark was a true innovator who helped to shape the course of popular music history.
Besides popularizing many of history’s most famous musicians, Dick Clark’s time on
“American Bandstand” also resulted in the host becoming known as "America's Oldest Teenager"
for his youthful appearance and energetic hosting style. Despite being middle-aged,
he remained very active and engaged in popular culture, which made him very relatable to younger
audiences. He was able to successfully connect with multiple generations of fans throughout
his career due to the youthful attitude that he maintained even into his twilight years.
What Did Dick Do Besides American Bandstand? In addition to "American Bandstand," Dick Clark
also hosted a variety of other notable TV shows over the years, including "The $10,000 Pyramid,"
"TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes," and "New Year's Rockin' Eve," which aired every New Year's
Eve and became a beloved tradition for millions of viewers. Dick Clark hosted the popular game
show "The $10,000 Pyramid" from 1973 to 1988. The show involved two contestants who tried to guess
words or phrases based on clues given by their celebrity partners. As the rounds progressed,
the players moved up a pyramid of increasing cash prizes, with the top level being worth $10,000.
Clark was a beloved host on the show and was known for his smooth, charismatic style. He also
occasionally filled in as a celebrity partner when one of the scheduled guests could not make it. His
time hosting the show helped cement his status as a legendary figure in American television history.
Even before “The $10,000 Pyramid,” Dick began hosting the New Year's Rockin'
Eve specials in 1972 as a replacement for Guy Lombardo's New Year's special,
which had been a long-running tradition. The show was an instant success and quickly became
a beloved part of New Year's celebrations across the United States. Clark continued to host the
show until his death in 2012, with Ryan Seacrest taking over as co-host in 2006. Clark was known to
enjoy his role as the host of the New Year's Rockin' Eve specials, and he often expressed
his excitement for the show leading up to the big night. One interesting story from his time
hosting the specials involved a mishap during the 2000 broadcast when a technical glitch caused him
to mistakenly announce that the new millennium had already begun. Despite the mistake, Clark was able
to quickly recover and continue on with the show, demonstrating his professionalism and composure.
Even after stepping down from his gig as host of “American Bandstand” in 1989, Dick Clark was
always heavily involved in the music industry. In addition to his various hosting duties,
he was also as a producer for various record labels. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame in 1993 in recognition of his contributions to the genre. Outside of his
entertainment career, Dick Clark was also a philanthropist who supported numerous
charities throughout his life. He was a strong advocate for diabetes research and was involved
in several related organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Dick’s Personal Life As far as his personal
life was concerned, Dick Clark was married three times and had three children. His first
marriage was to Barbara Mallery, and they had two children together. After their divorce,
he married Loretta Martin and had one child with her. Later in life, he married Kari Wigton,
who was his wife until his death. Despite his busy career and frequent travel,
he maintained a strong relationship with his family and was dedicated to being a
good husband and father. In his final years, Dick’s third wife would help him out quite a bit.
In 2004, Dick Clark suffered a stroke that forced him to retire from hosting "New Year's Rockin'
Eve," which was a program he had been a part of for over 30 years by that point. Despite this
setback, he still continued to make occasional appearances on the show and remained involved
in other aspects of the entertainment industry. Many admired his determination and resilience
during this difficult time, and he continued to inspire others with his strength and positive
attitude. Fans were stunned by how he handled his stroke and subsequent recovery. He didn't
let it stop him from continuing to pursue his passions and work in the industry he loved. He
also used his platform and influence to raise awareness for stroke prevention and recovery,
inspiring others who may be going through similar experiences. Additionally, his
dedication to his family, philanthropic work, and maintaining strong relationships
with those around him served as an example of how to live a fulfilling and meaningful
life. Many people looked up to him as a role model and were inspired by his positive outlook on life.
Dick Clark's third wife, the aforementioned Kari Wigton, was a constant source of support for him
during his recovery from his stroke. She was with him 24/7 and even went as far as to quit her job
to be there for him full-time. Her dedication and love for him were evident in everything she did,
and she played a crucial role in helping him through one of the most challenging
times in his life. It's clear that their relationship was a strong and loving one,
and they were a great teamboth personally and professionally. Sadly,
Clark passed away on April 18, 2012 from a heart attack, just a few months after making
his final appearance on a New Year's Rockin' Eve special. He was 82 years old at the time
of his passing. His death was widely mourned throughout the entertainment industry and
among fans of his work, who remembered him as an icon of American television.
Funny Stories from Dick’s Career One of the best ways to remember
Dick Clark is by taking a look at some of the funny moments from throughout his
career. There are countless funny stories from Dick Clark's long and storied career,
but there are a few that stand out from the rest. During a live broadcast in the 1980s,
Clark accidentally introduced Aretha Franklin as "Ariola Franklin". The Queen of Soul was
understandably taken aback, but managed to keep her composure and deliver a stunning performance.
Another naming mishap came years later. During a New Year's Rockin' Eve special in the 1990s,
Clark mistakenly referred to the rapper LL Cool J as "L Cool JJ". The mistake caused LL to burst
out laughing and become even more popular with fans who appreciated his sense of humor.
Other fun things about Dick included his propensity for dancing. In the early days
of American Bandstand, Clark would often make up dance moves on the spot to fill airtime. One time,
he invented a move called the "swivel hips" and got the studio audience to join in. Little did he
know that the move would become a sensation and be imitated by teenagers all across the
country. Clark was also notorious for his love of puns and wordplay. On one episode
of American Bandstand, he introduced a group called the "Fendermen" by saying,
"These guys really know how to pluck their strings...and they're not bad on
the guitar, either!" These are just a few examples of the many humorous moments that
Dick Clark created throughout his career. His one-of-a-kind talent will be missed.
During Dick Clark’s passing, his third wife proved that she was the true love of his life. Now it’s
time to hear from you: did you know that Dick Clark got Aretha Franklin’s name wrong on the air,
and that his third wife was a crucial part of his life during his final years? Comment down below!