Who is
Ryan John Seacrest? The entertainment and acting world knows him as Ryan Seacrest. He is an American
radio personality,
television host, and producer. He hosts talent competition
American Idol, as well as
On Air with Ryan Seacrest, a morning radio show on
KIIS-FM.
[1][2][3]
He received
Emmy Award nominations for
American Idol, and won an Emmy for producing
Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.
[4]
Early life
Seacrest was born on December 24, 1974, in an
Atlanta suburb,
Dunwoody, Georgia,
[5] the son of Constance Marie (
née Zullinger), a homemaker, and Gary Lee Seacrest, a real estate lawyer.
[6][7] His mother told the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
"Instead of playing with G.I. Joes or Cowboys and Indians,
[Ryan] would
always have a little microphone and do shows in the house."
[8]
At age 14, he attended
Dunwoody High School. As his school's regular morning public address system announcer, he was known as the "Voice of Dunwoody High School".
[9] At aged 16, while still attending high school, Seacrest won a hard-to-get internship at
WSTR (FM), in Atlanta, with
Tom Sullivan,
who trained him in the many aspects of radio. When the regular DJ
called in sick, Sullivan put him
on the air for the very first show of
his broadcasting career.
[10] Seacrest was given the weekend overnight shift at WSTR.
[8]
Seacrest continued to work on air at WSTR until graduating from
Dunwoody High School in 1992.
[11] Seacrest went on to study journalism at the
University of Georgia in fall 1992. He continued his radio show at a local Athens station. Seacrest left the university at age 19 and moved to
Hollywood to pursue his broadcasting career.
[8]
Professional background
Television hosting
In 1993, Seacrest hosted the first season of
ESPN's
Radical Outdoor Challenge. He also hosted three kids' game shows,
Gladiators 2000 from 1994–96 (a spinoff of the television show,
American Gladiators),
Wild Animal Games in 1995, and
Click in 1997. Seacrest appeared as the host of the fictional game show
Lover's Lane on
Beverly Hills, 90210 in "The Final Proof".
[12] In fall 2000, Seacrest
was the host of
NBC Saturday Night at the Movies.
[13] From 2000 to 2001, Seacrest appeared as the host of an
NBC
Saturday morning television block, which broadcast a major theatrical
film. During commercial breaks, he offered trivia on the film and a
chance to win prizes by calling in a specific number. In 2001, he hosted
a
reality television program,
Ultimate Revenge,
[6]
where elaborate practical jokes were played on family and friends
instigated by their own relatives and friends. It was shown on
TNN from 2001 to 2003.
[12][14]
- American Idol
In 2002, Seacrest accepted the position as co-host of a new
Fox reality television series
American Idol with comedian
Brian Dunkleman.
American Idol
went on to success, putting Seacrest in the national spotlight. The
following year, he became the sole host. When the show increased in
popularity, seen by some 26
million viewers weekly, Seacrest became
recognizable around the world. In 2003, Seacrest hosted the spin-off
show,
American Juniors.[15] In July 2009, Seacrest inked a deal with
CKX for $45 million to continue to host
American Idol, making him the highest paid reality television host to date.
[16] In April 2012, Seacrest signed a two-year, $30 million deal to stay on as host of
American Idol.
[17]
- New Year's Rockin' Eve
In August 2005, it was announced that Seacrest would become executive producer and co-host of
ABC's
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. On December 31, 2005, Seacrest performed much of the show's hosting duties.
Dick Clark's
role was limited by speech and mobility issues due to his recovery from
a stroke.
Seacrest also occasionally served as a substitute host on the
CNN television program
Larry King Live, and
co-emceed Larry King's final show with
Bill Maher on December 16, 2010.
[18] In 2009, ABC renamed the program
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest, to reflect Seacrest's role. The
40th Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, co-hosted by Ryan Seacrest, delivered ABC’s biggest New Year’s numbers in twelve years at 22.6 million viewers.
[19]
When
Dick Clark died, Seacrest publicly remembered his mentor's impact on his life in a special tribute in
The Hollywood Reporter.
[20] After Clark's death, Seacrest hosted the 2013 edition of
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with co-hosts
Jenny McCarthy and
Fergie paying tribute to Dick Clark in the pre-show.
[21]
In October 2013, Ryan Seacrest signed a multi-year contract extension
with Dick Clark Productions to continue as host and executive producer
of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.
[22]
Radio hosting
In January 2004, Seacrest became the new host of the radio program
American Top 40,[23] a syndicated weekly countdown show, created and formerly hosted by
Casey Kasem. The show was syndicated by
Premiere Radio Networks. In February 2004, Seacrest became host of Los Angeles radio station
KIIS's
morning show, replacing long-time host
Rick Dees.
[24] This show, also known as
On Air With Ryan Seacrest,
remains on the air. Seacrest is the host, executive producer of this
syndicated daily show airing on over 150 stations in North America, with
affiliates worldwide.
Television producing
In January 2006, US cable channel
E! announced a three-year, $21 million deal for Seacrest to host and produce various programs, including
E! News and its red carpet awards show coverages (E!'s signature piece of original programming).
[25] That same year, Seacrest launched
Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP);
in August 2008, Seacrest named his longtime William Morris Agent, Adam Sher, as CEO.
[26] Comcast had first-look rights for all RSP shows through January 2012.
[27] Clear Channel acquired a minority stake in RSP in early 2012, but the company no longer has a first look deal with any network.
[28]
Seacrest remains managing editor of
E! News and produces its red carpet awards show coverage but, as of January 2012, he no longer hosts
E! News on a daily basis.
[29]
In April 2012, Seacrest signed a deal with
NBCUniversal expanding his on-air role beyond
E! to NBC. He contributed to the
Today Show,
Olympics coverage, entertainment programming, as well as news and other
special events. Seacrest will remain managing editor of
E! News and host and produce its red carpet awards show coverage.
[30]
An
Associated Press profile portrayed Seacrest as using both the deal with E! and the
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve involvement as a springboard towards a long-lasting career in television production and ownership.
[31]
RSP produces the hit series
Keeping Up with the Kardashians, the highest-rated show on the E! network, and the spin-offs
Khloe and Lamar, Kourtney and Kim Take New York and
Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami. RSP also produced the Emmy Award-winning ABC reality series
Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. RSP also produced two new reality series in 2012 including
Melissa and Tye, which aired on
CMT and
Shahs of Sunset for
Bravo. Bravo announced a second season of
Shahs of Sunset on April 18, 2012.
[32] RSP's new show
Married to Jonas premiered on August 19, 2012 on E! and was renewed for a second season.
[33][34]
On January 31, 2012,
Thomas H. Lee Partners and
Bain Capital announced they would invest up to $300M in Ryan Seacrest Media.
[35] A consortium headed by Seacrest (with partners
AEG and CAA) agreed to rebrand
Mark Cuban's
HDNet television network as
AXS TV.
[36]
Philanthropy
In 2010, Seacrest, along with his family, launched nonprofit
organization Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF), intended to enhance the
quality of life of children considered to be in need of help. Its
actions include the construction of broadcast media centers in hospitals
intended to educate children about using radio, television
and new
media technologies, including in ways that the RSF considers to be
creative. RSF has two centers at
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston and
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
[37] In April 2012, Seacrest named
Selena Gomez as Ambassador to the Foundation.
[38]
Personal life
In April 2010, Seacrest began dating
Julianne Hough, a professional dancer, actress, and singer known for participating in
Dancing with the Stars.[39][40] 
On March 15, 2013, it was announced that their relationship had ended.
[41] [42]
They were dating for over two years before the split.
Credits
- Radio [12]
- On Air with Ryan Seacrest:
Host, executive producer of this syndicated daily show airing on over
150 stations in North America alone, with affiliates worldwide
- American Top 40: Host of this syndicated weekly countdown show since 2004
- 2003 Radio Music Awards: Co-host
- 102.7 KIIS-FM Los Angeles: Since 2004, Morning Drive Personality with co-host Ellen K.
- Former On-Air Personality at KYSR, WSTR
- 98.7 FM, 1pm to 4pm
- Film
- Television[12]
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