Pat Sajak hosted his final episode of Wheel Of Fortune last Friday after hosting the game show for 43 years. Next season, Sajak is set to be replaced by the American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, who will be co-hosting the game show with Vanna White moving forward.
To mark this occasion, let’s learn a bit more about Seacrest. Scroll through here and get to know Sajak’s replacement a little better!
When Was Ryan Seacrest Born?
Seacrest was born on December 29, 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was also raised. His mother Connie is a homemaker. His father Gary is a lawyer who practiced for 30 years and is now head of the non-profit The Ryan Seacrest Foundation. This organization is “dedicated to inspiring pediatric patients through entertainment and education focused initiatives.”
Seacrest also has a younger sister Meredith who is six years his junior.
“Growing up, we were always very close,” Seacrest previously told The Wall Street Journal. “It’s just the four of us, so we’re used to doing things together.”
Seacrest has credited his parents for making him the man that he is today.
“My parents would always have us, as many times as we could, sit together for dinner and talk about what was happening in our lives,” Seacrest once told Oprah. “That really helped me as a kid feel comfortable and confident to do what it is that I wanted to do.”
Where Did Ryan Seacrest Get His Start?
Seacrest’s interest in television and hosting was evident from a young age.
“Instead of playing with G.I. Joes or Cowboys and Indians, Ryan would always have a little microphone and do shows in the house,” his mother once said.
After graduating from the University of Georgia, Seacrest moved to Los Angeles. There, he started to land hosting gigs with shows like, Gladiators 2000 (1994), Wild Animal Games (1995), and Click (1997).
Seacrest also launched his own radio show “Ryan Seacrest for The Ride Home,” which became the #1 daily afternoon talk show in Los Angeles. This show lasted until 2004.
When Did Seacrest Start Hosting American Idol?
Seacrest’s big break came in 2002, when he was hired as the host for the hugely popular reality television singing competition show American Idol. For season one, he hosted alongside Brian Dunkleman. From season two onwards, however, Seacrest has been the only host of American Idol.
Seacrest hosted the first fifteen seasons of American Idol that aired on Fox from 2002 until 2015. Though American Idol went off the air that year, it was brought back in 2018 by ABC, which has aired it ever since. Last month, Seacrest concluded hosting season 22 of American Idol, which was won by Abi Carter.
Seacrest appears to be planning to continue hosting American Idol while also hosting Wheel of Fortune. He’s still loving this hosting gig, describing this recent season as being “an incredible season.”
Why Did Ryan Seacrest Leave Live With Kelly And Ryan?
From 2017 until 2023, Seacrest hosted the morning talk show Live With Kelly and Ryan alongside Kelly Ripa. Fans were shocked when Seacrest announced last year that he would be leaving the show.
Seacrest reportedly left Live With Kelly And Ryan so that he could focus on American Idol and his radio hosting jobs. At the time of his exit, he was quick to shut down any rumors of tension between himself and Ripa.
“I’m going to miss my work wife and all the laughter we share,” he said at the time. “When I signed on to host Live in 2017 it was meant to be for 3 years, but I loved the job and working with Kelly so much that I extended my time and last year I made the decision to stay on for one more final season.”
It should be noted that American Idol and Live With Kelly and Ryan are filmed on opposite coasts, with the former being filmed in Los Angeles and the latter being filmed in New York City. This meant that Seacrest had to travel back and forth across the country constantly. No wonder he decided to give one of them up!
Live With Kelly and Ryan is now Live With Kelly and Mark. It is hosted by Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos.
Related: Kelly Ripa Has Surprising Reaction When Kathie Lee Gifford Says She Won’t Read Her Memoir
Is Ryan Seacrest Married?
Seacrest has never been married. However, he has previously said that he loves “the idea of marriage.”
“My parents [have] been married for 47 years, and so I have this thing…” he told Kelly Ripa in 2017.
“The truth is, I have this thing that I don’t want to screw it up and a lot of times, they get screwed up and so I figure, the longer I wait, the older I’ll be, the closer to death I am, so I can get it in, and not screw it up,” he added.
Seacrest has also said that he’s never been engaged. Over the years, however, he’s had some serious girlfriends. Seacrest dated the former Dancing With The Stars champion Julianne Hough from 2010 until they split in 2013.
In 2015, it was reported that Seacrest was dating the former Miss Teen USA Hilary Cruz. For eight years, Seacrest dated the model Shayna Taylor. They met through mutual friends in 2013 and broke up a few times. They got back together repeatedly until they finally split for good in 2020.
Seacrest dated the model Aubrey Paige from 2021 until they broke up in April of 2024.
“After three beautiful years together, Ryan and Aubrey have mutually decided to part ways,” a source told People Magazine at the time. “They plan to stay in each other’s lives as good friends and support one another’s endeavors.”
It looks like Seacrest will be heading into his Wheel of Fortune hosting duties as a single man!
When Does Ryan Seacrest Start Hosting Wheel Of Fortune?
Seacrest’s first episode hosting Wheel of Fortune is set to air in September of 2024. He’s made it clear that he could not be more excited to be hosting the show alongside the longtime co-host Vanna White.
“I’m so excited,” Seacrest told ABC News earlier this year. “I’ve been watching it for so many years, like so many people here in this country.”
“I think I have so much adrenaline rushing through my body. Excitement is the word because it’s such a phenomenal show,” he later told People Magazine. “I’ve been a fan. I grew up watching the show. and I can’t wait to take over after the legendary Pat Sajak.”
Seacrest has been quick to pay homage to Sajak, who has hosted the game show since December of 1981.
“Pat Sajak is such a legend,” he said. “He makes it look so easy and smooth and seamless. He’s remarkable.”
Seacrest is also ecstatic to get to work with White, who he describes as being “the most amazing person.”
As September gets closer, Seacrest wants the world to know that he “just can’t wait to start.”
Related: Pat Sajak’s ‘Wheel Of Fortune’ Replacement Ryan Seacrest Honors Him After He Retires
What Is Ryan Seacrest’s Net Worth?
Seacrest has an estimated net worth of $450 million. Each year, he rakes in $60 – $80 million from his entertainment and entrepreneurial empire. While his exact Wheel Of Fortune salary is not known, it’s been reported that he’s set to make $28 million per season.
This comes after Seacrest has enjoyed years of success as a radio personality, television host, producer, and entrepreneur.
We can’t wait to see what Seacrest brings to Wheel Of Fortune when his first episodes premiere in the fall!
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