Dick Clark Dead at 82 'Massive Heart Attack'

[Broadwayboobs]

Rest In Peace, Dick.

Dick Clark -- famed TV producer, and "New Year's Rockin' Eve" host -- died from a massive heart attack this morning ... TMZ has learned.

Clark had been in St. John's hospital in L.A. after undergoing an outpatient procedure last night. Clark suffered the heart attack following the procedure -- attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

He was 82.

Details surrounding his death are unclear, but Clark had suffered a significant stroke in 2004 -- forcing him to retire from his hosting gig at "New Years' Rockin' Eve," which he created in 1972.

Ryan Seacrest took over in 2006. Dick has appeared on the show ever since.

Before suffering a stroke, Clark told Larry King he suffered from Type 2 diabetes.

Clark has been married 3 times -- and has 3 children from his first two marriages. He is survived by his current wife Kari Wigton.

"For now, Dick Clark ... so long."

[henrikegerman]

I saw him in a restaurant in December. He was in a wheel chair (if I recall correctly) and looked quite old; which shouldn't be surprising except that it famously seemed for decades that he might never age.

[Jane2]

aww. I"m sorry to hear this.

[beautywickedlover]

That's sad! R.I.P.

[FindingNamo]

Only the good die young.

[WOSQ]

I'm 61 and from the Philly area. I can remember Bandstand before it became American Bandstand, and I remember Dick Clark when he was the assistant host.

In the mid-50s, ABC was definitely an also-ran network. It had no daytime programming and came on the air about 5:00 pm.

When ABC was looking for afternoon entertainment they found this local show in Philly that got a great youth demographic and was cheap to produce. The kind of slimy host was eased out and all-American Dick Clark was promoted. Dick had a huge amount of airtime every week--five 90 minute Bandstand shows plus a Saturday night half hour rock and roll show out of NYC for 8 hours a week. Huge by any standard.

If you are of an age and from Philly, Dick Clark was more than the California-based producer he became known as. We grew up with Dick Clark. We knew him when.

End of an era.

[Jane2]

I am of an age, not from Philly, but teenagers everywhere ran home after school to watch American Bandstand. Dick Clark was, indeed, a part of our lives.

[redmustang]

Like Jane2, as a kid, I watched American Bandstand religiously, and grew up with Dick Clark. The Ed Sullivan Show, Jackie Gleason, Walt Disney, American Bandstand. These were a cherished part of my childhood TV life. RIP Mr. Clark.

[SNAFU]

Oh man add to that list Dr Kildare, The Rifleman, Rawhide and Perry Mason and you have my entire childhood in a TV schedule!

[After Eight]

So very, very sad to hear this.

He displayed such a joie de vivre.

May he rest in peace.

[Dollypop]

Here was a man we invited into our living rooms time and time again down through the years, yet the press isn't going hog wild over his death the way they did for Whitney Houston. Do you think the supermarket tabloids will be boasting photos of him in his casket next week?

[SNAFU]

He lived into his eighties, died of natural causes. He was not a tabloid darling with a metoric career and a rapid decline with drug and alcohol aduse. His death is being reported with the respect and love his very long career demands.

[Dollypop]

...and that was my point.