Ryan Seacrest

Ryan Seacrest

Ryan Seacrest, Carson, California on May 11, 2013
Born Ryan John Seacrest
December 24, 1974
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation Television show host, television and radio personality
Years active 1990–present
Website
Official website

Ryan John Seacrest (born December 24, 1974) is an American radio personality, television host, and producer. He hosts talent competition American Idol, American Top 40, 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 Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in the suburb of Dunwoody,[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. At age 16, while still attending high school, Seacrest won an 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.[9] 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.[10] 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

Seacrest at 2008 Primetime Emmys at Nokia Plaza in Los Angeles

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".[11] In the fall and winter of 2000, Seacrest was the host of The NBC Saturday Night Movie.[12] During commercial breaks, he offered trivia on the film and a chance to win prizes by answering online on NBCi. 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.[11][13]

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.[14] 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.[15] In April 2012, Seacrest signed a two-year, $30 million deal to stay on as host of American Idol.[16] In May 2014, Deadline.com reported that he had signed a one-year deal with the option of another year.[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 Years' numbers in twelve years, with 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, 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.[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.

Television producing

Seacrest in September 2012

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 no longer hosts (since January 2012) 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 Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve as springboards to a long-lasting career in television production and ownership.[31]

Seacrest 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 launched the nonprofit Ryan Seacrest Foundation. The foundation 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]

Credits

Radio [11]
Film
Television[11]

References

  1. ↑ "American Idol 2010 – American Idol Season 9". Tvguide.com. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  2. ↑ "Song Requests — American Top 40 With Ryan Seacrest". At40.com. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  3. ↑ "On-Air with Ryan Seacrest on 102.7 KIIS FM". Ryan.kiisfm.com. 2010-06-24. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  4. ↑ "Ryan Seacrest Awards". Ryan.kiisfm.com. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Ryan Seacrest profile at". Buddytv.com. 2006-10-13. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Ryan Seacrest profile at". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  7. ↑ "Seacrest, Karesh, Tate, & Bicknese – Atlanta law firm specializing in litigation & commercial real estate". Sktb Law. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Ryan Seacrest profile. "Ryan Seacrest Biography". People.com. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  9. ↑ "Tom Sullivan profile at". Tomonair.com. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
  10. ↑ "Dunwoody High School Alumni Association". Dunwoodyhighalumni.com. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 "Ryan Seacrest Credits on". Tv.com. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  12. ↑ "NBC Announces the Premiere of the 'NBC Saturday Night Movie,' Featuring The $1.3 Million Log-On and Win Contest on NBCi.com". PRNewswire.
  13. ↑ "Ultimate Revenge Cast and Details". Tvguide.com. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
  14. ↑ "American Juniors on". TV.com. 1969-12-31. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  15. ↑ "$45 million deal for Ryan Seacrest". Celebritynewsbuzz.com. 2009-07-13. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
  16. ↑ Bob Tourtellotte (2012-04-24). "Ryan Seacrest to stay on American Idol". Reuters.
  17. ↑ Ryan Seacrest closes deal to return to American Idol, deadline.com, May 2014; accessed December 22, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Ryan Seacrest Credits on". Tv.com. 2010-04-07. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  19. ↑ Levin, Gary (2012-01-04). "Nielsens: Clark's 'Rockin' Eve,' football start year well". USA Today. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Ryan Seacrest: 5 Things I Learned From Dick Clark". The Hollywood Reporter. April 25, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  21. ↑ Etkin, Jaimie (2013-01-01). "'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve' on ABC Wins Ratings Race On New Year's Eve". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  22. ↑ "Ryan Seacrest extends deal to host and executive produce Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest, October 2013; accessed December 22, 2014.
  23. ↑ Hinckley, David (2010-07-01). "From Casey Kasem to Ryan Seacrest, "America's Top 40" celebrates 40th year on the airwaves". New York: Nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
  24. ↑ Peterson, Todd (2004). "NEWS BRIEFS: Jessica Simpson Lands Pilot", People.com; retrieved February 27, 2007.
  25. ↑ "Ryan Seacrest Signs Deal With E! TV". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 2006-02-22. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
  26. ↑ Staff (2008-08-19). "Adam Sher shifts to Seacrest". Variety. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
  27. ↑ "Seacrest, Comcast Forge New Deal". Broadcastingcable.com. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
  28. ↑ Szalai, Georg (2012-01-31). "Clear Channel Acquires Minority Stake in Ryan Seacrest Productions". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
  29. ↑ Stelter, Brian (2012-04-27). "Seacrest's Role at NBCUniversal Will Span News, Sports and Entertainment". Mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
  30. ↑ April 4, 2012  (2012-04-04). "Ryan Seacrest to join NBC's Olympics coverage". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
  31. ↑ "Ryan Seacrest — Biography, Movies, Photos, Videos, News". Starglimpse.com. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
  32. ↑ "‘Shahs of Sunset’: Ryan Seacrest and Bravo confirm second season". Blog.zap2it.com. 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
  33. ↑ "Ryan Seacrest Productions". Internet Movie Database.
  34. ↑ E! Entertainment (2012-04-30). "Kevin Jonas To Star in Ryan Seacrest-Produced Reality Show ‘Married To Jonas’". Retrieved 2012-07-26.
  35. ↑ Golum, Rob (2012-01-31). "Ryan Seacrest's Company Gets $300 Million From THL Partners, Bain Capital". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
  36. ↑ Rose, Lacey (2012-01-18). "Ryan Seacrest Launching TV Network With Mark Cuban, AEG, CAA". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
  37. ↑ "Ryan Seacrest Foundation". Ryan Seacrest Foundation. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
  38. ↑ "Selena Gomez Appointed Ambassador To Ryan Seacrest Foundation". PerezHilton.com. 2012-04-20. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
  39. ↑ "Ryan Seacrest steals the scene in ‘Knocked Up’". Today.msnbc.msn.com. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
  40. ↑ "Review: Knocked Up". Reelviews.net. 2007-05-13. Retrieved 2013-02-08.

External links

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Media offices
Preceded by
Casey Kasem		 American Top 40 Host
2004–present 		Succeeded by
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