What Was Dick Clark's Net Worth?
Dick Clark, an iconic American television and radio host, amassed a net worth of $200 million before his passing in 2012. Widely recognized for hosting "American Bandstand" and "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve", Clark played a pivotal role in the entertainment industry, introducing audiences to many future music legends. He passed away on April 18, 2012, in Santa Monica, California at the age of 82, after suffering a debilitating stroke in 2004. Ryan Seacrest took over his New Year's Eve hosting duties post-stroke.
Besides hosting duties, Clark served as the CEO of Dick Clark Productions, a company responsible for the production of many renowned TV programs since its establishment in 1957. This includes The Golden Globes, The Country Music Awards, and The American Music Awards. In 2007, he sold the company to Dan Snyder for $175 million.
Early Life
Dick Clark was born Richard Augustus Wagstaff Clark Jr. on November 30, 1929, in Mount Vernon, New York. Raised by Richard Augustus Clark and Julia Fuller Clark, he tragically lost his brother Bradley in World War II. From a young age, Clark was determined to break into radio hosting. He began working at WRUN radio station in Rome, New York at age 16. Clark attended Syracuse University, graduating in 1951 with a degree in advertising and a minor in radio, contributing to WOLF-AM during his college years.
Entertainment Career
Post-graduation, Clark briefly rejoined WRUN before becoming a disc jockey at WFIL in Philadelphia in 1952. There, he began substituting for "Bob Horn's Bandstand" and eventually became its permanent host in 1956. In 1957, ABC renamed the show "American Bandstand," and Clark's engaging style helped it become a huge hit with both teenagers and their parents. In 1958, "The Dick Clark Show" aired and attracted over 20 million viewers, further solidifying his influence in the industry.
Relocating "Bandstand" to Los Angeles in 1964, Clark continued to host until its cancellation in 1988. He also launched "The Dick Clark National Music Survey" in 1981 and hosted various game shows including "The $10,000 Pyramid" which led to several spinoffs.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Clark excelled as a game show host, winning three Emmy awards for "The $10,000 Pyramid." His diverse television career included hosting roles on shows like "The Challengers," "Scattergories," and "Winning Lines," and he co-produced others including "Let’s Make A Deal." Clark's signature event, "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve," began in 1972, becoming a staple New Year's Eve broadcast on ABC from 1974 onwards.
Earnings and Investments
Despite the success of "American Bandstand," Clark did not earn a massive salary initially. He supplemented his income through investments in music publishing, talent management, and other sectors. His investments significantly increased his net worth, although a Congressional payola investigation forced him to sell most of his business interests in 1960.
Business Career
Clark owned several radio stations, including KPRO in Riverside and KGUD-AM-FM in Santa Barbara. He produced the American Music Awards and launched the United Stations Radio Network, which evolved and was sold to Westwood One Radio in 1994. He also co-founded another version of this network in 1995, showcasing shows like "Dick Clark's Rock, Roll & Remember." Clark ventured into the restaurant business with Dick Clark's American Bandstand Grill.
Personal Life
Clark married three times, first to Barbara Mallery, with whom he had one son, Richard A. Clark, then to Loretta Martin, with whom he had two children, Duane and Cindy. His final marriage was to Kari Wigton in 1977, and he had three grandchildren. Clark battled Type 2 diabetes and suffered a stroke in 2004 before passing away from a heart attack in 2012 at age 82.
Real Estate
Clark and his wife Kim owned significant properties in the Los Angeles area, including a unique 23-acre Malibu compound inspired by "The Flintstones," and several other Malibu properties, one of which was an oceanfront estate. In 2002, he purchased an 11-acre bluff in Malibu known as "Gulls Way," a premium event venue today, valued at least $30 million.
