Ryan Seacrest.

Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, Ryan Seacrest was the son of Connie and Gary Seacrest and older brother to Meredith. He attended Dunwoody High School, where he played football as a starting linesman. He later studied at the University of Georgia’s Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, also attending Glendale Community College, Santa Monica College, and Kennesaw State University.

Seacrest began his TV career hosting kids shows like Gladiators 2000 1994, Wild Animal Games 1995, and Click 1997. In 2002, he was hired to host American Idol. The show became a cultural phenomenon. He also took over Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 in 2004, hosting both the original and Hot AC versions. In 2005, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for radio. He continues to host his own radio show Ryan Seacrest for The Ride Home on 98.7 FM in Los Angeles.

From June 2010 to March 2013, he dated Julianne Hough. He has never married and has no children. Living in Los Angeles, California, he is an uncle to Flora Leach through his sister Meredith Seacrest Leach and her husband James Leach. Seacrest credits Merv Griffin as a mentor and friend until Griffin’s death in 2007.

Forbes estimated his 2007 earnings at $14 million. He has won a Daytime Emmy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program. As the long-time host of American Idol and the voice of American Top 40, he influenced a generation of reality TV hosts.