Veteran television host Dick Clark died on Wednesday after suffering a massive heart attack, leaving behind a legion of fans that includes "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest.

The beloved host of the popular late 50s and early 60s show, "American Bandstand," died on Wednesday at the age of 82 after suffering a heart attack following an outpatient procedure at St John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif.

In 2004, Clark had suffered a stroke that impaired his speech and mobility and left many questioning the health of the popular host. Nevertheless, Clark managed to host his famous New Year's Rockin Eve special alongside Ryan Seacrest for several more years.

Seacrest, had worked with Clark over the past six years on the popular New Year's Eve special, and last night paid an emotional tribute to Clark saying that there would be no "American Idol" without him.

"We can't begin tonight's show without acknowledging the passing of a television pioneer and my dear friend, Dick Clark," Seacrest said on Wednesday's episode of "American Idol."

"Without Dick, a show like this would not exist. He will be missed greatly," Seacrest added.

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Later in the evening, Seacrest spoke backstage about the idol he studied as a child.

"I am sad and I am grateful for what he has given us, and certainly what he has given me," Seacrest said. "It was a tough night to do the show. I miss him, and there was nobody like him."

Beyond leaving behind fans, the hardworking television host leaves behind a fortune that is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, according to Fran La Maina, longtime president of Dick Clark Productions.

"He had boundless energy and a remarkable ability to do innumerable things at any given time," La Maina told The Associated Press. "Work was his hobby."