Clark, Dick

Clark, (Richard Wagstaff) Dick

(1929– ) television host, producer; born in Mt. Vernon, N.Y. Originally a radio disc jockey in the 1950s, he was the host of a "record hop," American Bandstand, on Philadelphia local WFIL-TV, which moved to ABC (1957–89). He also hosted daytime game shows like $10,000 Pyramid (1973), which over the years (and in a new network) grew to the $100,000 Pyramid. He formed Dick Clark Productions to produce television movies, variety shows, and special programs on which he often appeared as host.