Interesting Facts about Dick Clark

America's oldest teenager Dick Clark is being mourned around the nation.  He passed away at the age of 82 after a massive heart attack.

Dick Clark has several ties to Central New York, including a diploma from Syracuse University and his first job at WRUN in Utica.  But there are a number of other interesting facts about the 'American Bandstand' legend, you may not know.

Interesting Dick Clark Facts

• Dick Clark was a huge Flintstone fan and owned a ‘Bedrock’ inspired estate in Malibu, California worth a cool 3.5 million dollars.
• The early part of his career wasn’t all peaches and cream as he survived the infamous Payola Scandal which ended the career of Rock and Roll Dj Alan Freed.
• American Bandstand first aired in Philadelphia and Dick Clark is credited with putting the city of brotherly love on the cultural map.
• Dick Clark helped to integrate the dance floors of a ‘Black and White’ America by inviting black dancers to his show in 1958 just one year after starting American Bandstand.
• Clark suffered a serious stroke in 2004 that left his speech impaired. He returned to host his “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” show in 2005 along with “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest.
• Dick introduced Ed McMahon to Johnny Carson.
• Dick Clark was inducted in the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 8th, 1960.
• Dick Clark said on one episode of The $100,000 Pyramid he married Kari Wigton on 7/7/77. At the ceremony there were 7 candles and 7 people in the wedding party. Actor John Davidson's father officiated at the ceremony, and they asked if he could finish the whole ceremony in 17 minutes. He did.
• Neither Dick Clark nor his wife drank, even on New Years Eve.
• Dick Clark was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993

Dick Clark left his mark on the world and he will me missed.  New Year's Eve will never be the same.

This list was inspired by this article from SoSoActive.com.  Get their full list here.