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Remembering Dick Clark, broadcast icon

Posted at 4:59 PM, Apr 18, 2012
and last updated 2012-04-18 17:02:32-04

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Broadcast icon Dick Clark, the creator and longtime host of "American Bandstand," has died, publicist Paul Shefrin said. He was 82.

Clark suffered a heart attack while at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica an outpatient procedure, his publicist said. "Attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful."

Clark suffered what was then described as "a mild stroke" in December 2004, just months after announcing he had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

That stroke forced Clark to cut back on his on-camera work, including giving up the hosting duties for the "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" specials. He reappeared as a co-host with Ryan Seacrest on December 31, 2005.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark," Seacrest said in a Twitter posting. "He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life."

His "American Bandstand" work, which he began as a local TV show in Philadelphia in 1956, earned him the nickname "America's oldest living teenager." The show was picked up by ABC and broadcast nationally a year later.

Born Richard Wagstaff Clark in Mount Vernon, New York, on November 30, 1929, he began his broadcast career working at a radio station managed by his father.

Clark, who was married three times, is survived his by current wife, two sons and a daughter.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Clark in its nonperformer category in 1993.

Clark also hosted numerous other television favorites including "$25,000 Pyramid" and "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes."

"This guy was the best," said singer Freddy Cannon, who appeared on "American Bandstand" 110 times. "He helped me from the very bottom of my career all through the 80s and the 90s, and he's going to be missed a lot."

Clark's passing follows by nearly three months the death of Don Cornelius, another TV dance show icon.

Cornelius created a pilot for "Soul Train" using $400 of his own money, according to the website biography.com.

"Soul Train" is the longest running, first-run, nationally syndicated program in television history, according to the website of Soul Train Holdings. "During its 37-year run, the show featured such staples as the Soul Train line and performers as important and diverse as Al Green, Ike & Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson and Beyonce," according to the website.

Cornelius died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 75, authorities said.

By Alan Duke CNN's JD Cargill contributed to this report.

Word of the legendary Dick Clark's passing quickly spread across social media sites Wednesday. Here are some comments from the CBS 6 Facebook and Twitter page, as well as other media folks who are remembering and honoring the legend.

http://storify.com/wtvrcbs6/broadcast-pioneer-dick-clark-dead-at-82