Dick Clark, the American TV actor, producer and icon who shepherded rock ‘n’ roll into mainstream culture, died Wednesday. He was 82 years old.
His spokesman said he died of a heart attack.
Clark was best known among college students as the producer and host of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” and “American Bandstand.” He also produced a variety of awards shows during his roughly 60-year career.
In 2004, Clark suffered a stroke that affected his ability to speak and walk, but he continued to perform.
Twenty-year-old journalism sophomore Alexa Gedigian said it will be hard to imagine New Year’s Eve without Clark.
“My parents and I have watched that almost every year since I can remember,” she said.
Other students echoed Gedigian’s sentiments.
Brittany Birsner, a 19-year-old business freshman, said she saw Clark’s gradual deterioration, but she said his death was still a shock.
“I remember watching last New Year’s, and he was barely holding up talking,” she said.
She said New Year’s Eve won’t be the same without his personality.
Although Juan Zapata, a 19-year-old math freshman, didn’t know Clark by name, he was sad to hear the iconic face that rang in the New Year at Times Square died.
“I saw him every New Year, and I didn’t know what his name was until now,” he said.
Contact Samantha Shavell at sshavell@alligator.org.
