Ryan Seacrest

Ryan John Seacrest is an American television host and producer. He is known for hosting prominent media programs, including American Idol, American Top 40, On Air with Ryan Seacrest, and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. He also serves as the host of Wheel of Fortune, having replaced long-time host Pat Sajak in September 2024, and previously co-hosted and executive produced Live with Kelly and Ryan.

Seacrest was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 24, 1974, to Constance Marie and Gary Lee Seacrest. At age 14, he attended Dunwoody High School, and at age 16, he secured an internship at radio station WSTR in Atlanta under Tom Sullivan. After filling in for a sick DJ, Seacrest began broadcasting on air with a weekend overnight shift. He graduated from high school in 1992 and studied journalism at the University of Georgia while continuing local radio work. At age 19, he left the university and relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a broadcasting career.

Early in his career, Seacrest hosted children's game shows such as Gladiators 2000, Wild Animal Games, and Click, as well as ESPN's Radical Outdoor Challenge and TNN's Ultimate Revenge. His major television breakthrough came in 2002 when he co-hosted the Fox reality series American Idol alongside Brian Dunkleman, becoming the sole host in 2003. He hosted the series through its initial run on Fox until 2016, and returned as host when the show was revived on ABC in 2017.

Beyond American Idol, Seacrest became co-host and executive producer of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve in 2005, taking over as sole host following Clark's death in 2012. In 2006, he signed a deal with E! to host programs such as E! News and red-carpet awards show coverage, and later expanded his on-air role to NBC, contributing to the Today Show and Olympic Games coverage. From May 2017 to April 2023, he co-hosted Live with Kelly and Ryan alongside Kelly Ripa. In September 2024, Seacrest debuted as the host of Wheel of Fortune.

Seacrest has maintained a continuous presence in radio, becoming the host of American Top 40 in January 2004 and KIIS-FM's On Air with Ryan Seacrest in February 2004. In 2006, he launched Ryan Seacrest Productions. As a television producer, he executive produced the reality series Keeping Up with the Kardashians and its spin-offs, as well as Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, Shahs of Sunset, and Married to Jonas. He also partnered with a consortium to rebrand HDNet as AXS TV.

In addition to media hosting and production, Seacrest has pursued various business and fashion initiatives. In 2013, he developed his clothing and accessories line, Ryan Seacrest Distinction, which launched at Macy's in 2014. He also co-created the men's skincare line Polished with dermatologist Harold Lancer. His business investments have included the Typo keyboard and Pathwater, a purified water brand packaged in refillable aluminum bottles.

Throughout his career, Seacrest has earned multiple Emmy nominations for American Idol and Live with Kelly and Ryan, winning an Emmy Award in 2010 for Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. In 2018, he was inducted into the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation's Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts and joined the Paley Center for Media's board of trustees. Philanthropically, he established the Ryan Seacrest Foundation in 2010, which has built numerous Seacrest Studios inside children's hospitals across the United States.