Ryan Seacrest biography

Synopsis

Born in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, Ryan Seacrest decided on a career in radio early on. He got his first job as a DJ at a station in Atlanta. In the mid-1990s, Seacrest moved to Los Angeles, California, where he started a popular afternoon radio show. His career really took off in 2002, when he became a host of American Idol. Seacrest soon started covering entertainment events and serving as a news anchor for the E! television network. In 2012, he signed a deal with NBC Universal to appear on the Today show and other programs.

Early Life

Born on December 24, 1974, in Atlanta, Georgia, popular radio and television personality Ryan Seacrest has also become a powerhouse behind the scenes as a producer of such reality TV hits as Keeping Up with the Kardashians. He developed the desire to become a radio disc jockey at an early age. Seacrest listened to such DJs as Casey Kasem and Rick Dees growing up, studying and copying the way they talked during their shows. American Bandstand host Dick Clark was another important early influence.

At Dunwoody High School, Seacrest "wore braces and glasses and was fat and got teased about," he once explained to the New York Times. "But I was always very ambitious." His first broadcasting job was handling announcements at the school. Seacrest then managed to land an internship at an Atlanta radio station, which led to his first on-air gig. He stayed with the station while attending the University of Georgia.

Radio Star

In the mid-1990s, Seacrest relocated to Los Angeles. There, he launched a popular afternoon radio show called Ryan Seacrest for the Ride Home, which lasted until 2004. In 2003, Seacrest started a syndicated program, On Air with Ryan Seacrest. The following year, he took over for one of his idols, Casey Kasem, as host of American Top 40.

Despite becoming a television star and producer, Seacrest continues to be a presence in radio. He continues to host On Air with Ryan Seacrest and American Top 40, in addition to his more recent roles.

Television Personality

After to moving to Los Angeles, Seacrest started stepping front of the cameras. He hosted Radical Outdoor Challenge on ESPN and the syndicated kids show Click in the 1990s. In 2002, Seacrest landed his first major TV job with the national singing-competition show American Idol. He co-hosted the show with Brian Dunkleman in its first season, but he became the show's only host in all of the sequent seasons. One of the show's creators, Simon Cowell, explained to The New York Times that the source of Seacrest's appeal comes from his unwaveringly upbeat personality. "He's happy. Always, always. If he had a tail, he'd wag it."

Seacrest realized a lifelong dream in 2005, when he started working with Dick Clark on his annual New Year's Eve special, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. Around this same time, he began hosting the cable entertainment show E! News—a position he held until 2011. In 2012, Seacrest inked several deals to keep himself in front of the cameras for years to come.

Among his recent contracts, he signed on for several more seasons of American Idol and made a deal with NBC Universal. As part of his agreement with NBC Universal, Seacrest helped cover the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Producer Extraordinaire

In addition to his role in front of the cameras and on the microphone, Seacrest has created a number of popular TV programs: Through Ryan Seacrest Productions, he has helped propel Kim Kardashian and her family to reality TV fame with Keeping Up the Kardashians, as well as spin-offs such as Kourtney & Kim Take New York. Working with chef Jamie Oliver, Seacrest helped produce Food Revolution (2010-11). Seacrest won an Emmy Award for his role in the show.

In 2012, Seacrest started a new venture called Ryan Seacrest Media with Mark Cuban, Creative Artists Agency and AEG. In the summer of 2012, RSM launched a new pop culture and entertainment-driven TV channel called AXS TV.

Personal Life

Seacrest is dating entertainer Julianne Hough. The couple has been together since 2010. He has previously been linked to Sophie Monk, Teri Hatcher and Shana Wall.