Ryan John Seacrest (born December 24, 1974) is an American media personality, game show host, and producer. Seacrest co-hosted and served as executive producer of Live with Kelly and Ryan, and has hosted other media shows including American Idol, American Top 40, and On Air with Ryan Seacrest.He became co-host and executive producer of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in 2006, and stayed on as host and executive producer following Clark’s death in 2012.
Ryan Seacrest Facts
- Born: Ryan John SeacrestDecember 24, 1974 (age 49), Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
- Alma mater University of Georgia
- (Did not graduate, honorary degree)
- Occupations: Media personality producer
- Years active :1993–present
- Relatives: Henry Gene Skeen (grandfather
Ryan Seacrest Early life
Ryan John Seacrest was born in Atlanta on December 24, 1974, the son of homemaker Constance Marie (née Zullinger) and real estate lawyer Gary Lee Seacrest. His father served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, in which his grandfather Henry Gene Skeen was a major general. 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.” At age 14, he attended Dunwoody High School. At age 16, while still attending high school, he won an internship at WSTR in Atlanta where Tom Sullivan trained him in many aspects of radio. When a regular DJ called in sick, Sullivan put him on the air for the first show of his broadcasting career. He was given the weekend overnight shift at WSTR. He continued to work on air at WSTR until graduating from Dunwoody High in 1992. He studied journalism at the University of Georgia in the fall of 1992. He continued his radio show at a local station in Athens, Georgia. He left the university at age 19 and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his broadcasting career.
Ryan Seacrest Career
In 1993, Seacrest hosted the first season of ESPN’s Radical Outdoor Challenge. He also hosted three kids’ game shows, Gladiators 2000 from 1994 to 1996 (a spinoff of the television show, American Gladiators), Wild Animal Games in 1995, and Click in 1997. He appeared as the host of the fictional game show Lover’s Lane on Beverly Hills, 90210 in “The Final Proof”. In the fall and winter of 2000, he was the host of The NBC Saturday Night Movie. 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, 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.
In 2002, Seacrest accepted the position as co-host of a new Fox reality television series American Idol with comedian Brian Dunkleman. The following year he became the sole host. The show increased in popularity and was seen by some 26 million viewers weekly; Seacrest became recognizable around the world. In 2003, he hosted the spin-off show, American Juniors. In July 2009, he signed a deal with CKX for $45 million to continue to host American Idol which made him the highest paid reality television host at the time. In April 2012, he signed a two-year $30 million deal to stay on as host of American Idol.In May 2014, Deadline Hollywood reported that he had signed a one-year deal with the option of signing for another year.He remained host of the series until the end of its run in April 2016. The following May, it was announced that ABC had won a multi-network bidding war for the rights to the show. On July 20, 2017, he announced on Live with Kelly & Ryan that he would be the host of an Idol reboot. His initial multi-year deal was reported to be worth over $10 million.
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.
In 2009, ABC renamed the program Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest, paying attention to Seacrest’s role. He co-hosted the show delivering ABC’s biggest New Year’s numbers in twelve years, with 22.8 million viewers.
When Dick Clark died Seacrest publicly remembered his mentor’s impact on his life in a special tribute in The Hollywood Reporter. 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. 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 In 2017, Seacrest hosted Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve for the 13th consecutive year alongside McCarthy, who had co-hosted for eight years. The show had 25.6 million viewers, the highest in six years.The 2019–20 edition of Rockin’ Eve marked his 15th consecutive year as the host and Lucy Hale also hosted. Recently he received a multi-year deal extension to continue hosting the show.
Ryan Seacrest Personal life
Seacrest had a two-year on-and-off relationship with model Sara Jean Underwood, which was revealed on The Howard Stern Show in 2009. He began dating dancer and actress Julianne Hough in April 2010. In March 2013, it was announced that their relationship had ended.He dated model Shayna Taylor from 2017 until 2020.
In May 2016, Seacrest returned to the University of Georgia to serve as the commencement speaker at the graduation ceremony and receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
In November 2017, it was reported that a former E! wardrobe stylist had accused Seacrest of sexual harassment and that he was under investigation. Seacrest denied the allegations and said, “This person who has accused me of horrible things offered, on multiple occasions, to withdraw her claims if I paid her millions of dollars. I refused.” In February 2018, the investigation was closed due to insufficient evidence.