Ryan Seacrest

Ryan John Seacrest (born December 24, 1974) is an American radio personality, television host, and producer. He hosts talent competition American Idol, the syndicated countdown program American Top 40, as well as On Air with Ryan Seacrest, a morning radio show on KIIS-FM.

He received Emmy Award nominations for American Idol, and won an Emmy for producing Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.

Early life

Seacrest was born on December 24, 1974, in Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in the suburb of Dunwoody, the son of Constance Marie (née Zullinger), a homemaker, and Gary Lee Seacrest, a real estate lawyer. His mother told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Instead of playing with G.I. Joes or Cowboys and Indians, [Ryan] would always have a little microphone and do shows in the house."

At age 14, he attended Dunwoody High School. At age 16, while still attending high school, Seacrest won an internship at WSTR (FM), in Atlanta, with Tom Sullivan, who trained him in the many aspects of radio. When the regular DJ called in sick, Sullivan put him on the air for the very first show of his broadcasting career. Seacrest was given the weekend overnight shift at WSTR.