Dick Clark, America's collective date for New Year's Eve, passed away today at the age of 82. The TV legend not only hosted the live annual New Year's Rockin' Eve show from Times Square, he also brought rock-n-roll to the masses as host of American Bandstand.Spokesman Paul Shefrin said Clark suffered a heart attack Wednesday morning at Saint John's hospital in Los Angeles where he recently underwent an outpatient procedure.A massive stroke in 2004 that affected his ability to walk and talk forced him to scale back TV appearances in recent years. Though, he still returned to co-host his namesake show with the help of Ryan Seacrest of American Idol fame.
Clark rolled deep in the entertainment business. He served as host and/or producer on a bunch of other shows, including the Pyramid, Scattergories, TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes and the American Music Awards.His youthful spirit and good looks even as an elderly man earned him the nickname of "America's oldest teenager.'"Clark is survived by his wife, Kari, and his three kids.