How Old Is Dick Clark:

Dick Clark of 'New Year's Rockin' Eve,' 'America's oldest teenager,' is 80 years old - The broadcaster and businessman, Dick Clark, also known as "America's Oldest Teenager," turned 80 years old this year. He co-hosts, with Ryan Seacrest, ABC's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve from Times Square in New York again Thursday night. It will be the 38th edition of the program.

Born Richard Wagstaff Clark in Mount Vernon, New York on November 30, 1929, Clark graduated from Syracuse University and began his professional broadcasting career stepping up from the mailroom at WRUN in Utica, New York, first as a weatherman, then a newscaster.

He took over as host of American Bandstand in 1956; the show was picked up by ABC in 1957, giving Clark nationwide notoriety. The show continued airing until 1989, though Clark did not stay on as host all that time.

Mr. Clark began Dick Clark Productions as a business venture that invested in the entertainment industry and produced television programs such as The $25,000 Pyramid and TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes. The broadcaster suffered a stroke in 2004, which left his signature youthful voice and speech noticeably altered.

Clark is known for the way he helped bring together rock and roll with television and continues that tradition today with his New Year's Eve show featuring musical guests and other ventures such as the American Music Awards.

After Adam Lambert's controversial performance closing the AMAs, Dick Clark Productions cancelled the singer's invitation to take part in their New Year's Eve program. Lambert has repaired his relationship with the ABC network since then, appearing on both The View and on a Barbara Walters special, but he will still not appear on ABC New Year's Eve. About the cancellation, Mr. Lambert posted on Twitter: "Don't blame them. It's the FCC heat."