Ryan Seacrest | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Seacrest in 2019 | |
| Born | Ryan John Seacrest (1974-12-24)December 24, 1974 (age 50) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Education | University of Georgia (no degree) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Relatives | Henry Gene Skeen (grandfather) |
| Website | ryanseacrest |
Ryan John Seacrest (born December 24, 1974) is an American television host and producer. Seacrest is the host ofWheel of Fortune, having hosted since replacing long-time hostPat Sajak in September 2024. Seacrest co-hosted and served as executive producer ofLive with Kelly and Ryan, and has hosted other media includingAmerican Idol,American Top 40, andOn Air with Ryan Seacrest.[1][2][3] He became co-host ofDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve in 2005, and he became the sole host following Clark's death in 2012.[4]
Seacrest receivedEmmy Award nominations forAmerican Idol each year from 2004 to 2013 and once more in 2016. He won an Emmy forJamie Oliver's Food Revolution in 2010, and he was nominated once more in 2012.[5] In 2018, he received nominations forLive with Kelly and Ryan forOutstanding Talk Show Entertainment andOutstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host.[6][7]
Ryan John Seacrest was born inAtlanta on December 24, 1974,[8] the son of homemaker Constance Marie (née Zullinger) and real estate lawyer Gary Lee Seacrest.[9][10] His father served as a lieutenant in theU.S. Army, in which his grandfatherHenry Gene Skeen was a major general.[11] His mother told theAtlanta Journal-Constitution, "Instead of playing withG.I. Joes or Cowboys and Indians, Ryan would always have a little microphone and do shows in the house."[12] At age 14, he attendedDunwoody High School. At age 16, while still attending high school, he won an internship atWSTR in Atlanta whereTom 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.[13] He was given the weekend overnight shift at WSTR.[12] He continued to work on air at WSTR until graduating from Dunwoody High in 1992.[14] He studied journalism at theUniversity of Georgia in the fall of 1992. He continued his radio show at a local station inAthens, Georgia. He left the university at age 19 and moved toLos Angeles to pursue his broadcasting career.[12]
In 1993, Seacrest hosted the first season ofESPN'sRadical Outdoor Challenge. He also hosted three children's game shows,Gladiators 2000 from 1994 to 1996 (a spin-off of the television show,American Gladiators),Wild Animal Games in 1995, andClick in 1997. He appeared as the host of the fictional game showLover's Lane onBeverly Hills, 90210 in "The Final Proof".[15] In the fall and winter of 2000, he was the host of theNBC Saturday Night Movie.[16] During commercial breaks he offered trivia on the film and a chance to win prizes by answering online onNBCi. In 2001, he hosted areality television program,Ultimate Revenge,[9] where elaborate practical jokes were played on family and friends instigated by their own relatives and friends. It was shown onTNN from 2001 to 2003.[15][17]
In 2002, Seacrest accepted the position as co-host of a newFox reality television seriesAmerican Idol with comedianBrian Dunkleman. The following year he became the sole host after Dunkleman resigned. 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.[15] In July 2009, he signed a deal withCKX for $45 million to continue to hostAmerican Idol which made him the highest paid reality television host at the time.[18] In April 2012, he signed a two-year $30 million deal to continue as host ofAmerican Idol.[19] In May 2014,Deadline Hollywood reported that he had signed a one-year deal with the option of signing for another year.[20] He remained host of the series until the end of its original run in April 2016.[21] 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 onLive with Kelly and Ryan that he would be the host of anIdol revival. His initial multi-year deal was reported to be worth over $10 million.[22][23]
In August 2005, it was announced that Seacrest would become executive producer and co-host ofABC'sDick 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.
In 2009, ABC renamed the programDick 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.[24]
When Clark died, Seacrest publicly remembered his mentor's impact on his life in a special tribute inThe Hollywood Reporter.[25] After Clark's death, Seacrest hosted the 2013 edition ofDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with co-hostsJenny McCarthy andFergie paying tribute to Clark in the pre-show.[26] In October 2013, Seacrest signed a multi-year contract extension with Dick Clark Productions to continue as host and executive producer ofDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.[27] In 2017, Seacrest hostedDick 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.[28][29] The 2019–20 edition ofRockin' Eve marked his 15th consecutive year as the host andLucy Hale also hosted. Recently, he received a multi-year deal extension to continue hosting the show.[30]
In January 2006, American cable channelE! announced a three-year, $21-million deal for Seacrest to host various programs, includingE! News and its red-carpet awards show coverages.[31] In April 2012, Seacrest signed a deal withNBCUniversal expanding his on-air role beyond E! to NBC. He contributed to theToday Show, Olympics coverage, entertainment programming, as well as news and other special events. Seacrest remains as managing editor ofE! News and hosts and produces its red-carpet awards show coverage.[32]
In September 2012, Seacrest leftE! News and was replaced byTerrence J.[33]
Seacrest was an NBC correspondent for the 2012 London Olympic Games and co-hosted the closing ceremony withBob Costas andAl Michaels.[34] In 2016, Seacrest hosted NBC's live late-night coverage for the Rio Olympic Games.[35]
After a year-long search, on May 1, 2017, it was announced that Seacrest would joinKelly Ripa as host ofLive with Kelly and Ryan as her new permanent co-host and executive producer. Seacrest succeededMichael Strahan, who left the show the previous year. Seacrest started work on the day of the announcement.[36] By December 2017 the show was averaging over 3 million viewers.[37]
On February 16, 2023, Seacrest announced that he would be leavingLive with Kelly and Ryan after six years in April 2023, primarily due to traveling as his primary residence is in Los Angeles, while the show tapes inNew York City.[38] Seacrest made his last appearance as full-time host on April 14, 2023.Mark Consuelos, husband of Kelly Ripa, replaced him full-time on April 17, 2023.
Seacrest has stated, however, that he would return to guest host whenever Consuelos is unavailable.[39][40][41]
On June 27, 2023,The New York Times reported that Seacrest would become the new host ofWheel of Fortune to replacePat Sajak, who announced his retirement from hosting two weeks earlier, starting with the show's 42nd season in fall 2024, citing "two people familiar with the plan".[42] Seacrest[43] and Sony would later confirm the news in separate releases.[44] Seacrest began hosting duties on September 9, 2024.[45] Despite this, Sajak remained as host ofCelebrity Wheel of Fortune in its fifth season due to Seacrest focusing onAmerican Idol auditions.[citation needed]
Starting in 2003, Seacrest occasionally served as a substitute host on theCNN television programLarry King Live, andco-hostedLarry King's final show withBill Maher on December 16, 2010.[15] In 2013, Seacrest hostedThe Million Second Quiz which was an interactive game show on NBC.[46] Seacrest hostedKnock Knock Live in 2015, which premiered on Fox. The show featured celebrities arriving at the door of ordinary people who have done something special and giving them a prize.[47] However, the show was cancelled after two episodes.[48][49]
In January 2004, Seacrest became the new host of the radio programAmerican Top 40,[50] a syndicated weekly countdown show, created and formerly hosted byCasey Kasem. The show was syndicated byPremiere Radio Networks. In February 2004, Seacrest became host of Los Angeles radio stationKIIS-FM's morning show, replacing long-time hostRick Dees.[51] The show,On Air With Ryan Seacrest, since 2017, Seacrest has been broadcasting from a studio at the facilities ofWABC-TV in New York City, whereLive with Kelly and Ryan is produced.[52][53] Seacrest renewed his contract with Premiere and KIIS parent companyiHeartMedia in September 2021, a contract that will last through the end of 2025.[54]
In 2018, Seacrest was inducted into the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation's 16th Annual Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts.[55]
Seacrest's three-year hosting deal with E! included executive producing credits on various programs, includingE! News and its red-carpet awards show coverages.[31] In the same year, Seacrest launched Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP). In August 2008, Seacrest named his longtimeWilliam Morris agent Adam Sher as CEO.[56] Through 2012Comcast had first-look rights for all RSP shows.[57]Clear Channel acquired a minority stake in RSP in early 2012, but RSP no longer has a first look deal with any network.[58]
Seacrest remains managing editor ofE! News and executive produces its red-carpet awards show coverage but no longer hostsE! News since 2012.[59]
AnAssociated Press profile portrayed Seacrest as using both the deal withE! andDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve as springboards to a long-lasting career in television production and ownership.[60]
Seacrest produced the hit seriesKeeping Up with the Kardashians, the highest-rated show on the E! network, and the spin-offsKhloe and Lamar,Kourtney and Kim Take New York andKourtney and Khloe Take Miami. RSP also produced the Emmy Award-winning ABC reality seriesJamie Oliver's Food Revolution. RSP also produced two new reality series in 2012 includingMelissa and Tye, which aired onCMT andShahs of Sunset forBravo. Bravo announced a second season ofShahs of Sunset on April 18, 2012.[61] RSP's new showMarried to Jonas premiered on August 19, 2012, on E! and was renewed for a second season.[62]
On January 31, 2012,Thomas H. Lee Partners andBain Capital announced they would invest up to $300M in Ryan Seacrest Media.[63] A consortium headed by Seacrest (with partnersAEG and CAA) agreed to rebrandMark Cuban'sHDNet television network asAXS TV.[64]
In 2017, Seacrest signed a multi-year overall deal between Ryan Seacrest Productions andABC Studios in which the company's scripted division would develop scripted projects for ABC Studios exclusively.[65][66]
In 2018, Seacrest joined thePaley Center for Media's Board of Trustees.[67]
Seacrest was a principal investor in the Typo keyboard, which aimed at cloning theBlackBerry physical keyboard for use with iPhone devices that launched in 2014. The Typo keyboard was discontinued in a 2015 patent settlement with Blackberry Ltd.[68] He is also an investor and partner at Pathwater, a brand ofpurified water offered in a refillable aluminum bottle.[69][70]
Seacrest worked withBurberry'sChristopher Bailey who designed Seacrest's suits for red carpet events as well as New Year's Eve since 2009 andAmerican Idol starting in 2010. Seacrest wore close-fitting suits and decided to make something similar for a wider audience at an "accessible" price point.
In 2013, in conjunction withRanda Apparel & Accessories, Seacrest developed his own clothing and accessories collection, "Ryan Seacrest Distinction." The Randa/Seacrest partnership signed an exclusive retail deal withMacy's to sell the brand and it successfully launched in 2014. It consists of suit separates, sports coats, and evening wear manufactured by Peerless Clothing International; accessories including ties, pocket squares, belts, wallets, cufflinks, and jewelry produced byRanda Accessories; and dress shirts fromPVH (produced later byItochu Prominent which added sportswear in September 2017).[71][72][73]
Seacrest partnered with dermatologist Harold Lancer to produce the men's skincare line Polished.[74] The line has five items and they are designed for easy use.[75][76][77] Seacrest announced the line in August 2017 onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[78]
In 2010, Seacrest launched the nonprofit Ryan Seacrest Foundation.[79] The foundation has fourteen Seacrest Studios: atChildren's Healthcare of Atlanta (opened 2010),Children's Hospital of Orange County (2013),Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (2011),Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C. (2015),Levine Children's Hospital (2013),Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (2013),Children's Medical Center Dallas (2012),Boston Children's Hospital (2014),Children's Hospital Colorado (2014).[79]Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Tennessee (2016),Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Florida (2020),Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Tennessee (2023 May),Cohen Children's Medical Center in New York (2023 September), andPrimary Children's Hospital in Utah (2023 December).[80] Apparently there was a location atChildren's Hospital Los Angeles,[79] but it isn't included in the Foundation's map in 2023.[80] In April 2012, Seacrest namedSelena Gomez Ambassador of the Foundation.[81] In February 2017, the foundation partnered with theAtlanta Braves to promote the non-profit at SunTrust Park. Seacrest did voice overs for the Braves' "Welcome Home" broadcast media campaign.[82][83]
Seacrest serves on the board of trustees of theLos Angeles County Museum of Art,[84] and honorary co-chair of the GRAMMY Foundation board,[85] which later merged with the GRAMMY Museum and became the GRAMMY Museum Foundation.[86]
The day before Georgia's special election in 2018, Seacrest, a Georgia native, urged voters in the state to visit the VoteRider's site or call or text the nonpartisan voter advocacy organization's helpline to find out what ID is required to vote.[87]
Seacrest had a two-yearon-and-off relationship with modelSara Jean Underwood, which was revealed onThe Howard Stern Show in 2009.[88] He began dating dancer and actressJulianne Hough in April 2010.[89][90] In March 2013, it was announced that their relationship had ended.[91][92] He dated model Shayna Taylor from 2017 until 2020.[93][94]
In May 2016, Seacrest returned to theUniversity of Georgia to serve as the commencement speaker at the graduation ceremony and receive anhonorary Doctor of Humane Letters.[95][96][97][98]
In November 2017, it was reported that a formerE! wardrobe stylist had accused Seacrest of sexual harassment and that he was under investigation.[99] 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."[100][101] In February 2018, the investigation was closed due to insufficient evidence.[102]
Source[15]
| Year | Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1995–2003 | KYSR | 1 pm to 4 pm |
| 2003 | Radio Music Awards | co-host |
| 2004, 2008–present | On Air with Ryan Seacrest | host, executive producer, creator |
| 2004–present | American Top 40 | host |
| 2004–present | 102.7KIIS-FM Los Angeles | Morning Drive time Personality with co-hostSisanie. |
| Present | KYSR,WSTR | On-Air Personality |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Knocked Up | Himself[103][104] |
| 2008 | Get Smart | as himself (hostingAmerican Top 40) |
| 2010 | Shrek Forever After | voice of the father of "Butter Pants" |
| 2011 | New Year's Eve | as himself (hostingDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve) |
| 2020 | The Stand In | as himself |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Gladiators 2000 | co-host |
| 1995 | Wild Animal Games | host |
| 1995 | Reality Check | Jack Craft |
| 1996 | The New Edge | host |
| 1996 | CNET Central | co-host |
| 1997 | Click | host[15] |
| 1999 | Hey Arnold! | Fighting Families host |
| 2000 | The NBC Saturday Night Movie | host |
| 2000 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | episode The Final Proof, Lover's Lane Host |
| 2000 | Disneyland 2000: 45 Years of Magic | host |
| 2002 | Ultimate Revenge | host |
| 2002–2016, 2018–present | American Idol | Co-Host (season 1); Host (season 2 – present) |
| 2003 | American Juniors | host (episodes 1–5, 7–17) |
| 2003 | America's Party: Live from Las Vegas | host |
| 2003 | Good Day Live | Guest host |
| 2003–2010 | Larry King Live | Guest host, substitute host |
| 2004 | New Year's Eve Live from Times Square with Ryan Seacrest | executive producer, host |
| 2004 | On Air with Ryan Seacrest | executive producer, host |
| 2005 | Robot Chicken | Himself |
| 2005 | Mind of Mencia | himself |
| 2005 | Punk'd | himself, one episode |
| 2005–present | Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve | host, executive producer |
| 2005–present | Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade | host |
| 2006–2015 | E! News | co-host |
| 2006–present | E!Live from the Red Carpet | executive producer |
| 2007 | 59th Primetime Emmy Awards | host |
| 2007 | Paradise City | executive producer |
| 2007 | Crash My School | executive producer |
| 2007–2008 | American Idol Rewind | Host |
| 2007–2021 | Keeping Up with the Kardashians | executive producer, creator |
| 2008 | Super Bowl XLII | Host for pregame and halftime shows |
| 2008 | 60th Primetime Emmy Awards | Co-Host |
| 2008 | Victoria's Secret: What Is Sexy? 2008 | executive producer, TV movie |
| 2008–2009 | Momma's Boys | creator, executive producer |
| 2008–2009 | Bromance | creator, executive producer |
| 2008–2009 | Denise Richards: It's Complicated | creator, executive producer |
| 2009–2010 | Bank of Hollywood | producer |
| 2009–2013 | Kourtney & Kim Take Miami | executive producer |
| 2009 | 2009 Academy Awards | host on E! |
| 2009–2010 | Bank of Hollywood | executive producer |
| 2010–2011 | Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution | executive producer |
| 2010 | The Simpsons | episode Judge Me Tender, himself (voice) |
| 2011 | Kourtney and Kim Take New York | executive producer |
| 2011 | The Dance Scene | executive producer |
| 2011 | Khloé & Lamar | executive producer |
| 2011 | I Kid with Brad Garrett | executive producer |
| 2012 | Melissa & Tye | executive producer |
| 2012 | Married to Jonas | executive producer |
| 2013 | The Wanted Life | executive producer |
| 2013 | Ryan Seacrest with Selena Gomez | host, executive producer, TV Movie Documentary |
| 2013 | The Million Second Quiz | host, executive producer |
| 2013 | How I Rock It | executive producer |
| 2014 | Montecito | executive producer[105] |
| 2014 | Mixology | executive producer |
| 2014 | I Wanna Marry "Harry" | creator, producer (2 episodes) |
| 2014 | Webheads | executive producer |
| 2014 | Fashion Rocks | executive producer, Host |
| 2014 | Preaching Alabama | executive producer |
| 2012–2021 | Shahs of Sunset | executive producer |
| 2015 | Knock Knock Live | executive producer, Host |
| 2016 | Rob & Chyna | executive producer (1 episode) |
| 2016 | Sugar & Sparks | executive producer (1 episode) |
| 2016–2017 | Shades of Blue | executive producer |
| 2017 | Life of Kylie | executive producer[106] |
| 2017–2023 | Live with Kelly and Ryan | co-host, executive producer |
| 2018 | Insatiable | executive producer[107] |
| 2018 | The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills | Himself |
| 2022–present | The Kardashians | executive producer |
| 2022 | Home Economics | himself |
| 2023 | The Watchful Eye | executive producer[108] |
| 2024–present | Wheel of Fortune | Host |
| TBA | Work Wife | executive producer |
| Media offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | American Top 40 host 2004–present | Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by N/A | American Idol host 2002–2016; 2018–present With:Brian Dunkleman (2002) | Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve host 2006–present Served alongside:Dick Clark (2006–2012) Jenny McCarthy (2010–2019) Lucy Hale (2020–2021) Liza Koshy (2022–2023) Rita Ora (2024–2025) | Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Live with Kelly and Ryan host 2017–2013 With:Kelly Ripa | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Wheel of Fortune host 2024–present Served alongside:Vanna White | Succeeded by Incumbent |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
