Ryan Seacrest’s father, Gary Seacrest, has died after battling prostate cancer.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that my loving father peacefully passed away earlier this week,” Ryan, 50, wrote via Instagram on Friday, October 31. “My mom, sister and I have peace knowing he is in a better place and free of any pain or suffering. We are heartbroken.”
The radio host continued, “He was a devoted husband for 56 years, an incredible Papa to [my niece Flora and my best friend. Dad, you will live in our hearts forever. I love you.”
Ryan later recalled his final moments with Gary during the Friday broadcast of his eponymous iHeartRadio show.
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“It’s so vivid in my mind, but as he said without much strength or energy that he loved us and that he was going to miss us,” Ryan emotionally said. “He looked over at me — and the power in the contact — he said, ‘Take care of your mom.’ And he said to my sister [Meredith, and her husband,] Jimmy, ‘Take care of Flora, my granddaughter.’ Then, literally a few seconds later he closed his eyes and said, ‘I’ve got to go.’ He knew. He was at peace.”
Gary is survived by his wife of 56 years, Connie Seacrest, their two children, Ryan and Meredith, as well as their granddaughter, Flora.
Ryan previously revealed his dad’s diagnosis during an episode of his On Air radio show earlier this year.
“My dad is about 80 years old, and I have a very close relationship with my father, and [he] was diagnosed with prostate cancer years ago and started his treatment,” Ryan said in July. “And, it didn’t get better. It got worse and it spread. It didn’t go well for him.”
According to Ryan, Gary’s illness took a turn during the most recent season of American Idol.
“I was on an American Idol show live during last season and my sister called me and she said, ‘Dad is in the ICU. How fast can you get here?’” Ryan remembered, noting Gary had contracted pneumonia. “I finished the show. We were almost done. I couldn’t even, I didn’t even remember what I was saying was on the show. It was, like, robotic at that point.”
After flying to his father’s bedside, Ryan made sure to think of his treasured family memories.
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“I watched [my parents] over the weekends send photos of smiling and happiness and being together,” Ryan said at the time. “They’ve been married for 55 years. And they’ve got each other. They’re just happy to sit together looking at an ocean. I want to share that because I’ve been holding that in for a long time.”
After announcing his dad’s death, several of Ryan’s colleagues and celebrity friends shared their condolences in the comments section of his post.
“Such an incredible man. I’m so sorry Ryan 🙏🏻💔,” his radio cohost Tanya Rad wrote. “All my love to you, Connie and Meredith.”
American Idol just Katy Perry, for her part, commented, “Sending you and your family all the love.”
