
Ryan Seacrest breaks down in tears over dad's prostate cancer
Seacrest, 50, got emotional and teared up during a July 21 broadcast of 'On Air With Ryan Seacrest,' while talking about his father, Gary Seacrest, 80, who is battling prostate cancer.
During the broadcast, the 'American Idol' host confessed that he's 'never really spoken about this.'
10 Ryan Seacrest gets emotional on the July 21 episode of 'On Air With Ryan Seacrest.'
onairwithryan/Instagram
10 Ryan Seacrest and his dad Gary Seacrest.
onairwithryan/Instagram
The 'Wheel of Fortune' host had previously talked about his father's health, but hadn't shared many details or personal feelings about it until now.
In a 2021 Instagram post, he said that Gary had been 'battling cancer for several years.'
At the time, they thought it was 'no longer detectable,' but on Monday's 'On Air with Ryan Seacrest,' he tearfully admitted that his father's cancer 'got worse and it spread.'
10 Ryan Seacrest gets emotional on the July 21 episode of 'On Air With Ryan Seacrest.'
onairwithryan/Instagram
10 Ryan Seacrest in an Instagram photo.
Ryan Seacrest/Instagram
The former 'Live with Kelly and Ryan' co-host said that when this happens to a loved one, it's 'a hard thing to see, because the treatments that are commonly recommended can be barbaric to the system. They can cause so much damage to your body in other ways.'
Gary also got pneumonia while undergoing chemotherapy, Ryan revealed.
During 'American Idol' last season, he said that his sister Meredith called him to say, 'Dad is in the ICU, and how fast can you get here?'
10 Ryan Seacrest and Aubrey Paige in 2024.
aubreypaige_/Instagram
10 Ryan Seacrest at 'American Idol.'
Disney via Getty Images
After he finished 'American Idol,' he recalled flying to Atlanta to go to the hospital.
'The night that I got there, the conversation they were having with [my father] about an emergency surgery was a life or death conversation, and I've never seen my strong, very smart father with the look on his face that he had — and the concern, and looking at me to help guide what decisions should be made in this moment,' Ryan said.
Gary decided not to have surgery, but Ryan stuck around at the time and broadcast 'On Air with Ryan Seacrest' from his Atlanta hotel.
10 Ryan Seacrest and his sister Meredith, his dad Gary Seacrest and his mom, Connie.
ryanseacrest/Instagram
'When you see a parent suffering and when you see them going through this and you don't understand it yourself, you're just listening to all the different doctors and trying to make sense of what they're trying to suggest and do,' he explained.
The 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest' host said about his father: 'He could not get up to sit. He could not eat. He could not drink water. He could not go to the bathroom. Weeks go by in ICU and finally he began to get some strength back.'
Ryan's mother, Connie, is also in remission after a cancer battle, which made him want to help out more, he explained.
10 Ryan Seacrest at 'Live with Kelly and Ryan.'
Instagram/Ryan Seacrest
'I needed her to take a break,' he said. 'When you're a kid, no one tells you how to handle this with your parents.'
He added that his parents have been married 'for over 55 years. They've got each other and the pneumonia is gone, but his cancer is not.'
The prolific TV host explained that the nurses who looked after his father were 'angels… that nurture and care and have emotion about their patients' and that he 'loved' them.
10 Ryan Seacrest and his dad Gary Seacrest in 2021.
ryanseacrest/Instagram
10 Ryan Seacrest and his dad Gary Seacrest and his family in 2021.
ryanseacrest/Instagram
Gary was released earlier this month and is home in Atlanta, Ryan said.
He revealed that he's flown from Los Angeles to Atlanta every weekend to visit his father, who struggled to stand up from his chair.
Getting emotional and saying, 'I'm embarrassed,' Ryan continued, 'I got the most powerful, good, happy picture from my dad and my mother, who was with him. They went to a beach to sit outside. They just went to look at the water. They can't do much, but I saw him smile. I saw my mom smile.'
Ryan ended by sharing, 'Cancer affects every one of us in some ways. And it sucks. And the treatments suck … treatments are tough. But I know he's going to get through this.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Cosmopolitan
an hour ago
- Cosmopolitan
Is Leah Williamson in a relationship?
Leah Williamson, footballer and captain of the England women's national team, has long sparked dating rumours with Elle Smith, an American model and former Miss USA winner. From sweet holiday snaps to celebrating her football wins together, the 28-year-old and her beau have somewhat soft-launched their relationship on Instagram over the last few months. However, from what we, and other social media sleuths (see: fans of the pair), can see, they're yet to actually make it 'official.' So, let's take a deep dive into their rumoured relationship, including some of the sweetest moments so far... Last month, Elle took to her Instagram to share snippets of her Majorcan holiday with her 127K followers. While many shots showed off her summer fits and stunning views of the Spanish island, a couple of pics saw the pair looking super loved up. Case in point: slide 3 caught Leah and Elle on a paddleboard together, while slide 17 saw Elle snap a candid pic of the footballer dressed up and heading out for dinner. Leah also posted snaps of the getaway — where they were celebrating Elle's birthday — which included a gorgeous photo of the pair at dinner. A selfie of the two was featured in the carousel too, which saw Leah and Elle sunkissed and smiling. Elle commented on the holiday roundup: "same time next year?" to which Leah responded: "yes please x." Err, cute. Back in May, Elle posted a black and white shot of her cuddling Leah, who was sitting on her lap. Leah was clutching a medal and wearing an England shirt following her team's 6-0 win against Portugal. The post also included footage of the match, in which Elle could be heard cheering on the team. Leah commented on the post: "We did it!" Even earlier in March, Elle posted a video of her and Leah floating in the ocean on a paddleboard. Leah appeared to be lying down and resting her head on Elle's legs, as they had a sweet, intimate chat. Elle accompanied the post with the caption: "happy birthday my love x." Leah responded with the cutest emojis: "🥰🤭🧜♀️." Interestingly, this Insta post sparked 'official' comments from fans, with one person writing: "The mother of hard launches!" Others said: "So happy for you!" while another person said they were the "cutest" together. Officially obsessed with these two.

Business Insider
2 hours ago
- Business Insider
I've become notorious as a 'vertical villain' in Chinese-style mini-dramas. Being evil is fun, but draining.
This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with 32-year-old Sarah Moliski, based in Los Angeles. It has been edited for length and clarity. As an actor on the digital circuit, I usually get cast as the villain. In YouTube giant Dhar Mann 's videos, I was always the mean girl — the evil babysitter, the mean cheerleader, the lesson to be had. I think it's due to having blonde hair and a strong personality. Today, I've made a name as a villain in the vertical mini-drama space, an explosively popular format born in China. At this point, it really does come naturally to me. At ReelShort, I've won awards and have dedicated fan pages, and I'm proud of that. In a lot of verticals, the female lead is sweet and innocent, almost like a Disney princess. But if the villain's not there, there's no story. We bring the spice, the stunts, and the drama. Some of the stories are crazy. In " Hillbilly Girlie Marries a Billionaire," I take a man's sperm and get myself pregnant with it to prove we had sex. Then, it turns out it was the maid's husband's sperm. In " His One and Only Love," I hire a drunk doctor to give someone an abortion. There's a lot of food stuff where I'll throw food at people. Being a villain is fun because there are a lot of different layers to them. They're not just mean-spirited — there's always a reason. I like adding precursor stories about what hurt me, like having an unrequited crush on my enemies, or that my parents didn't love me. The mannerisms and physical comedy are like the fun little frosting on top. @reelshortapp The moment you've been waiting for... 🥁🔥 👑 The crown for Best Villain goes to @sarahmoshow😈 🖤 We loved every second of her wickedness🫦 ✨What was your favorite savage moment? Drop it below ⬇️ #reelshort #bestvillan #reelshortawards ♬ original sound - ReelShort - ReelShort But there are so many times when I feel bad — especially if it's with a greener actor or someone I'm not already friends with — because I'm an emotional person and it's hard for me to be mean to people. I've also gotten hate online for years, especially when I was on YouTube, but nowadays, most people understand that these are soap operas, and I've gotten better about not paying attention to it. Sometimes, I also feel like I have to overcompensate and be everyone's best friend on set. Sometimes I feel drained because there's already so much prep and memorization — we do 17 to 18 pages a day — and then you also want to be really cool and likeable. That can be exhausting — trying to prove that you aren't a villain. When I get home, I need to rot on the couch. I have absolutely no energy to socialize. Pushing for more powerful lead roles for women Being an aspiring actor in New York, you have to have a subway rat mentality. You have to make money to eat. It's a kind of grit and determination unique to the city. I've had other jobs in addition to acting, including as a red carpet host, standup comic, and personal assistant to celebrities. When I let go of achieving superstardom and comparative thinking and embraced the goal of simply making enough money to exist — and having fun while doing it — that's when I fell into verticals, and it changed everything for me. I shot my first vertical two years ago after submitting a self-tape online and booking the role of an 18-year-old bully in " Ms. Swan, Teach Me Love." I wasn't familiar with mini-dramas at the time, but after seeing new casting opportunities continue to be posted and others achieving success, I decided I wanted to try to become a staple in the space. Every actor's biggest dream is consistency. Even today, I'm astonished by the view counts. Even the ones that aren't doing as well are still getting 20 million views. And the fans are so invested. Today, myself and others are pushing for stronger female lead roles. I just wrapped my first lead, the best vertical script I've ever read. It's about a twin avenging her sister's murder. I'd describe the character as a mix of Angelina Jolie in "Tomb Raider" and Rosamund Pike in "Gone Girl." She's really fun and complex. In the future, I would love to help the vertical industry continue to grow. In addition to acting, I work in casting for ReelShort and also created a podcast. I like witnessing how this space is changing so many people's lives.

Business Insider
2 hours ago
- Business Insider
I'm the CEO of Twitch. My day starts with a 5-mile run and often ends with playing country songs on a late-night livestream.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Dan Clancy, the 61-year-old CEO of Amazon-owned Twitch, who lives outside of Portland, Oregon. It's been edited for length and clarity. When I was an undergrad at Duke, I double-majored in computer science and theater — an unusual combination that often raised eyebrows. Most people couldn't see how the two fit together. Fast-forward a few decades, and my path led me deep into tech: earning a Ph.D. in AI and computer science and working at places like NASA, Google, YouTube, and Nextdoor. By the time I arrived at Twitch, I was seen primarily as a tech executive. But at my core, I've always been a creative. Being CEO of Twitch gives me the rare opportunity to bring both sides of myself — technologist and creative — into a single role. Here's what a typical day looks like for me. BI's Power Hours series gives readers an inside look at how powerful leaders in business structure their workday. See more stories from the series here, or reach out to the editor Lauryn Haas to share your daily routine. I wake up at 7 a.m. and run five miles I usually wake up naturally. I don't worry about an alarm clock. I try to exercise in the morning unless I have a super early meeting. If my meeting starts at 9 a.m., I'll wake up at 7 a.m. or so, and then I'll try to be out running by 7:30 a.m., and I'll run four or five miles. I will get back about 8:30 a.m. In 2017, I started running regularly. In the past, I'd run for three months and then I'd stop. This time I gamified it and it stuck. Then I started biking, I started swimming, and then I did two Ironmans. I did a number of half-Ironmans. I did a half-Ironman last year. I use a Garmin. I'm not training right now, but when I am training, I'll try to exercise twice a day. Aside from bike riding or swimming, I like to white-water kayak. Usually, I am at my home in Washington working remotely, so I don't need to worry about commuting. I try not to look at my phone. It's always tempting to start swiping in some random app, but in general, I very much try to avoid. If I'm swiping for five minutes, it's probably Instagram. I drink Coca-Cola, not coffee I'm not a coffee drinker and I'm not much of a breakfast eater. At one point, when I was trying to lose weight, I did intermittent fasting, and now I'm not intermittent fasting, but I still often don't eat in the morning. My bad habit is I drink Coca-Cola now. I try to keep it to one, and I don't need it in the morning, but I do get caffeine. I always go through these cycles of saying, "I need to stop drinking Coke." And then I stop for a while and I feel good about it, and then I start drinking it. Ever since I was young, I'll keep flopping back and forth, and the family is constantly encouraging me to give up the habit. My day is back-to-back meetings I spend most of the time meeting with people. It might be a product review or a go-to-market review. I have one-on-ones with various folks. Some days we have an off-site with our leadership team. Slack is the primary channel. I still check my email regularly, but to be honest, my email now is dominated by messages I don't need to pay attention to. I have a 30-minute meeting later to sync on a personnel project. Then I have a two-hour quarterly business review. This is Amazon culture for managing what's going on. Once a quarter, we'll have a QBR for all of our business units. This one is for community health, which is the team that works on our moderation tools. Lunch is usually some form of a sandwich. I'm not a fine-dining person. I just think, why should I spend 30 bucks on a lunch? I can afford 30 bucks on a lunch, but it seems like I don't need it. My generative hours are around midnight There's also times when I need to be generative. I find it hard to be generative in the same space and in the middle of a day. Often, my modus operandi is that I'll get going at 10 or 11 at night, and then I'll just write till one in the morning. This probably was conditioned in me when my kids were young. I was working at NASA at the time, and then Google for some of it. Google is a good example. Folks were staying late at Google in 2005, but I'd still try to get home at 6 or 6:30. I'd spend time with the kids, do dinner, run around outside. Half the time I'd fall asleep while putting them to bed. Then I'd wake up at 11:00 p.m., start catching up on email and writing stuff. People always joked that they would get these notes from me at 3:00 a.m. I hang out and sing on livestream Today my work day ends at 3 p.m. because I'm streaming tonight. I'm doing my first full charity stream with an organization GCX for St. Jude's. The beauty of streaming is very little goes into prepping it. I streamed Tuesday night and the prep work that went into the stream was: I showed up in the room where we have a piano, I turned on the computer, I made sure my OBS configuration was right, and I hit "Go live." On that stream, I talked with the community some, but then I played probably a handful of songs. Sometimes I like to drop in on other streamers and hang out with them. On that stream, I knocked on T Pain's stream and we hung out for like 45 minutes chatting. Then I did an hour more of songs and signed off. The other day I was mostly playing Tyler Childers' songs. I'm a big fan of Zach Bryan, so I do a lot of his songs. Sturgill Simpson, Gregory Alan Isakov, and this guy Jeffrey Martin, who I think is amazing. Everybody knows "Let It Be" or "Take Me Home, Country Road" or "Piano Man," but those aren't the ones I usually choose. I consider myself a mediocre piano player, but as I'm improvising, it sounds like I know what I'm doing. I read and spend time with my kids after work If I'm at home, I'll do something with the kids at night. My son's 23, my daughter's 27. My daughter has an 11-month-old now. We all live close to each other. I'm the one who often did the cooking, but that's just because I'm a functional cook. I pick some form of protein, a tri-tip, steak, salmon, chicken. I pick something to do with potatoes, and then they're like five vegetables that are my go-to. It's fairly repetitive. I mostly cook at home. I can't remember the last time I had a non-work dinner where we made a reservation. I'll watch TV shows, but I don't watch many movies anymore. I just watched "Paradise." I liked "Your Friends and Neighbors" and "The Penguin." A little bit of drama, but not a horror thing. When it's time to wind down around 10:30 to 11 p.m., I'll lie down and read. I just finished reading "Long Island" by Colm Tóibín. I like novels, but I'm not really a Tom Clancy novel reader. I'm much more of a literary novel reader, something that has emotional connection. One of my favorite authors is Cormac McCarthy and his book "The Road." I've read it a few times. I fall asleep fairly quickly once I've started reading. Ten minutes and I'm getting sleepy.