- Ryan Seacrest has announced the death of his father, Gary Lee Seacrest, following a private, multi-year battle with prostate cancer.
- The host shared the heartbreaking news in an emotional Instagram post, calling his father his “best friend.”
- The announcement comes just months after Seacrest first publicly opened up about his father’s health struggles and a critical ICU scare.
- He paid tribute to his father as a “devoted husband” of 56 years and an “incredible Papa” to his niece.
Ryan Seacrest is mourning a profound personal loss, sharing with the world that his beloved father, Gary Lee Seacrest, has passed away. The Wheel of Fortune and American Idol host made the announcement in a heartfelt tribute on social media.
A Heartfelt Goodbye
In an emotional Instagram post on October 31, Seacrest shared the devastating news alongside a collection of family photos. The images captured cherished moments between father and son, from a throwback picture of a young Ryan in a suit to more recent snapshots of them cooking together.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that my loving father peacefully passed away earlier this week,” Seacrest wrote. “My mom, sister and I have peace knowing he is in a better place and free of any pain or suffering. We are heartbroken.”
He continued, paying tribute to his father’s legacy: “He was a devoted husband for 56 years, an incredible Papa to Flora, and my best friend. Dad you will live in our hearts forever. I love you.”
A Private Health Battle
Gary’s passing came after a difficult and private battle with prostate cancer, which Ryan first spoke about on the July 21 episode of On Air with Ryan Seacrest.
“My dad is about 80 years old, and I have a very close relationship with my father,” he shared at the time. “And my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer years ago and started his treatment. And he, it didn’t get better. It got worse and it spread. It didn’t go well for him.”
The TV personality revealed a particularly terrifying moment that occurred during a live taping of American Idol when his family faced a critical health scare.
“My sister called me and she said, ‘Dad is in the ICU. How fast can you get here?’” he recalled, explaining that his father had contracted pneumonia. “I finished the show… I couldn’t even, I didn’t even remember what I was saying was on the show. It was like robotic at that point.”
A Legacy of Love
Despite the immense challenges, Seacrest emphasized the enduring love between his parents. He recalled seeing photos of them smiling together at the beach during his father’s treatment. “They’ve been married for 55 years,” he said this summer. “And they’ve got each other… They’re just happy to sit together looking at an ocean.”
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