Ryan Seacrest Biography / Pictures
Ryan John Seacrest (born December 24, 1974 in
Dunwoody,
Ryan Seacrest began his broadcasting career aged 16
while still in high school as an evening radio host for
WSTR FM. Seacrest attended the University of Georgia,
where he majored in journalism and hosted an afternoon
radio program on the radio station KYSR.
Ryan's first television job was as a reporter for a
weekend morning show created by CNET, that showcased new
technology. Later he was a co-host, with MTV's Maria
Sansone, of the syndicated Gladiators 2000. During
college, Seacrest hosted ESPN's Radical Outdoor
Challenge program; this led him to a series of
television hosting jobs which culminated in the position
as co-host of the hit reality TV series American Idol in
2002 with Brian Dunkleman. The following year, Seacrest
became the sole host. In 2003, he also hosted the
spin-off show American Juniors.
In January 2004, Seacrest launched a daily
entertainment/variety/talk syndicated television
program, On Air With Ryan Seacrest. However, due to low
ratings, the show was cancelled and aired its last
episode on September 17, 2004. Also in 2004, Seacrest
created a new sign-off phrase for himself, "Seacrest...
OUT", with hopes that it would become a catch phrase.
Unfortunately the response was less than expected as the
saying only became much derided and lampooned.
On January 10, 2004, Seacrest became the new host of the
legendary radio program American Top 40, created and
formerly hosted by Casey Kasem, syndicated by Premiere
Radio Networks. Prior to taking over as host, Ryan was a
substitute host four times in 2003 during the final
months of Kasem's tenure.
In February 2004, Seacrest became host of popular Los
Angeles radio station KIIS-FM's morning show, replacing
long-time host Rick Dees. This show, also named On Air
With Ryan Seacrest, remains on the air.
In late April 2005, Seacrest received a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame at the age of 30. In contrast to
the numerous legendary Hollywood stars that populate the
walk, this honor to the former DJ was viewed as a
dubious and controversial one by many. As a result, in
May 2005 a generous amount of media attention focused on
an anonymous blogger using the pseudonym of "Assistant
Atlas" who offered an Internet contest with a prize
of $50 to anyone who could successfully defecate on Seacrest's
Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
In August 2005 it was announced that Seacrest would
become executive producer and co-host of Dick Clark's
New Year's Rockin' Eve and that he would eventually
become Clark's successor. On December 31, 2005, Seacrest did much of the hosting duties on the show,
with Clark's role limited due to speech and mobility
challenges following his recovery from a stroke.
Ryan Seacrest also occasionally serves as a substitute
host on the cable television program Larry King Live.
In January 2006 E! announced a three-year deal for
Seacrest to host and produce various programs including
its red carpet awards show coverages. [4] An AP profile
portrayed Seacrest as using both this and the Dick
Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve involvement as a
springboard towards a long-lasting career in television
production and ownership. He continues to live in L.A.
Select Positions
This Ryan Seacrest Biography Page is Copyright © 2004 - 2009 Chuck Ayoub