Entertainment Legend Dick Clark dies of Heart Attack at age of 82
Friends Remember Dick Clark
Reaction is coming in to the passing of entertainment legend Dick Clark, who died of a heart attack this morning at age 82.
Nick Verbitsky was a longtime friend of Clark’s; they started in business together 33 years ago, and co-founded United Stations Radio Networks in 1994. Verbitsky says, “His name was magic. He was encouraging, nurturing, and never abused his celebrity. When people hit hard times, he would leave money for them. He always took care of people.”
Verbitsky tells Radio Ink he last saw Dick Clark in December; they always had dinner a week before the New Year’s Rockin’ Eve show, while Clark was in New York. “We would get interrupted 20 times by people wanting a photo,” Verbitsky says. “Dick was very gracious. He’s an icon.”
Premiere Radio Networks personality and co-host of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Ryan Seacrest said in a statement, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark. He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life. I idolized him from the start, and I was graced early on in my career with his generous advice and counsel. When I joined his show in 2006, it was a dream come true to work with him every New Year’s Eve for the last six years. He was smart, charming, funny, and always a true gentleman. I learned a great deal from him, and I’ll always be indebted to him for his faith and support of me. He was a remarkable host and businessman and left a rich legacy to television audiences around the world. We will all miss him.”
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