Ryan Seacrest - Television Show Host, Family and Life

Ryan Seacrest was born to Constance Marie and Gary Lee Seacrest in the Atlanta suburb of Dunwoody, Georgia.

Right from an early age, young Ryan had an inclination towards showbiz. While young boys of his age fancied GI Joe and Cowboy characters, he hung around with a microphone in hand.

He received his preliminary education from Dunwood High School. Since he was the school’s morning announcer, he was often known as ‘Voice of Dunwood High School’.

While still at school he managed to bag a coveted and not-easy-to-get internship at WSTR FM, in Atlanta, with Tom Sullivan, where he learnt the little knick knacks about the various key function areas of radio.

Interestingly, his debut was an impromptu one. The ill-health of the regular DJ turned favourable for him as he got himself the first show of his broadcasting career. He had the weekend overnight slot at WSTR.

His tryst at the WSTR continued until his graduation from Dunwood High School in 1992. Following this, he gained admission at the University of Georgia to study journalism. He did not forsake his radio experience and continued with his show at a local Athens station.

He dropped out from the university in 1993 to pursue a full time career in broadcasting. For the same, he moved to Hollywood.

Charming good looks and wholesome experience at hosting radio shows earned him a place in front of the camera for the first season of ESPN's Radical Outdoor Challenge in 1993.

From 1994 until 1996, he served as the host for the kid’s game show, ‘Gladiator 2000’. In 1997, he hosted yet another kids’ game show, ‘Click’. The fictional game show, Lover’s Lane on Beverly Hills 90210 had him also play the host.

The new millennium brought with it new opportunities as he played the host of NBC ‘Saturday Night at the Movies’. For a year, from 2000 until 2001, he served as the host for the NBC Saturday morning television block.

In 2001, he served as the host of a television reality program, ‘Ultimate Revenge’, wherein he played practical jokes on family and friends, which were prompted by their own relatives and friends. The show was aired on TNN for two years until 2003.

While he hosted a couple of games shows, his major breakthrough came with a brand new Fox reality television series, ‘American Idol’, wherein he was the co-host along with comedian Brian Dunkleman.

‘American Idol’ became a major hit and catapulted his status as well. He gained national prominence and soon earned himself a celebrity status. It was the rising popularity and demand that made him the solo host for the show in its second year.

The increasing popularity of ‘American Idol’ proved fruitful both for the show and him as he earned world recognition and became famous worldwide. The show was viewed by 26 million viewers. The popularity of the show resulted in a spin-off program American Juniors which too had him play the host.

While his television career was booming, he made his entry into American radio yet again by bagging a contract to serve as the new host of the radio program American Top 40. The show was syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks

The same year, he replaced Rick Dees to serve as the host of Los Angeles radio station KIIS's morning show. The show is now known as ‘On Air With Ryan Seacrest’ and till date remains on air, covering more than 150 air stations in North America. He not only serves as the host, but is the executive producer as well.

In 2005, he realized his lifelong dream as he gained the chair of the executive producer and served as the co-host of ABC's Dick Clark's ‘New Year's Rockin' Eve’. Since Clark was recuperating from a major stroke and was dealing with speech and mobility issues, he was more or less the main host for the show.

Meanwhile, the following year, he signed a three-year deal with US Cable channel E! for $21 million to host and produce various programs, including E! News and its red carpet awards show coverage. In 2006, he launched his own productions, Ryan Seacrest Productions of which Adam Sher served as the CEO.

His increasing role-play in Dick Clark's ‘New Year's Rockin' Eve’ resulted in the show being renamed in 2009 as Dick Clark's ‘New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest’. The show delivered ABC’s biggest New Year’s numbers in twelve years with 22.6 million viewers

In addition to ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’, he served as a substitute host on the CNN television program ‘Larry King Live’. He co-emceed Larry King's final show with Bill Maher on December 16, 2010

In 2009, he signed a whooping deal of $45 million with CKX for American Idol, thus becoming the highest paid reality television host. Furthermore, in 2012, he signed a two year contract for a lump sum $30 million to serve as the host of the show.

In 2012, he signed a deal with NBC Universal, which expanded his role beyond E! News. As per the new contract, he remained as the managing editor of E! News and host to its red carpet shows. Additionally, his role play increased as he contributed to Today Show, Olympic coverage, entertainment programming, as well as news and other special events.

His productions house RSP produces the hit series Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and the spin-offs, Kourtney and Kim Take New York and Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami. Under it also released the Emmy Award winning series Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.

In 2012, RSP produced two new reality series in 2012 including Melissa and Tye, which aired on CMT and Shahs of Sunset for Bravo. Furthermore, yet another brand new show, ‘Married to Jonas’ premiered on August 19, 2012 on E! and was renewed for a second season

Post the death of Dick Clark, he hosted the 2013 edition of ‘New Year's Rockin' Eve’, along with co-hosts Jenny McCarthy and Fergie, paying tribute to Dick Clark in the pre-show

Other than being a radio personality and television host, he is also philanthropic and launched the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at enhancing the quality of life for seriously ill and injured children the foundation has not only built media centres but also inaugurated children’s hospital

He received an Emmy award for producing the ABC show, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution

He was in a romantic relationship with Julianne Hough, a professional dancer, actress and singer who gained fame for participating in the show, ‘Dancing with the Stars’. The relationship which started in 2010 ended in 2013

He is the host of popular television series, American Idol.