Ryan Seacrest’s father Gary dead at 79 after brave cancer battle as Wheel of Fortune host says ‘we are heartbroken’

Ryan shared the sad news on social media today

RYAN Seacrest’s father Gary has died at the age of 79.

His passing comes after a brave prostate cancer battle as the Wheel of Fortune host has said how heartbroken he and his family are.

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Ryan’s father Gary has sadly died after a cancer battle at the age of 79Credit: Instagram/@ryanseacrest

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Ryan shared a sweet slew of snaps and a touching caption as a tribute to announce his father’s deathCredit: Instagram/ryanseacrest
Taking to his Instagram page to announce the news, Ryan penned, “It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that my loving father peacefully passed away earlier this week.

“My mom, sister and I have peace knowing he is in a better place and free of any pain or suffering.

“We are heartbroken.

“He was a devoted husband for 56 years, an incredible Papa to Flora, and my best friend.”

He concluded with, “Dad you will live in our hearts forever. I love you. Ryan.”

Gary was born in July 1946, and had been married to his wife Constance, Ryan’s mom, for over 55 years.

He was an attorney from Atlanta, and also an army veteran.

In a 2020 Instagram post, Ryan shared a snap of his father dressed in uniform and wrote, “My dad Lieutenant Gary Seacrest.”

The couple shared two children, Ryan and his sister Meredith.

Gary is survived by his wife Constance, 78, his son Ryan, 50, and his daughter Meredith, 45.

In an Instagram post shared in 2021, Ryan revealed that his father had been “battling cancer for several years”.

At the time, they thought that the cancer was “no longer detectable,” but in July he told of how his father’s cancer “got worse and it spread.”

The Wheel of Fortune Host said at the time, “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.”

Ryan then recalled how his father underwent chemotherapy, but while having the treatment, sadly got pneumonia.

During last season’s American Idol, his sister called him to tell him that his dad had been admitted to the ICU.

After he finished filming, he recalled flying to Atlanta to go straight to the hospital.

He said, “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.”

Gary decided not to have surgery.

He added, “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 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.”

It was back in July of this year that Gary was released from hospital.

Ryan flew each week from LA to Atlanta to see his father.

Also in this broadcast of his podcast back in July, Ryan said, “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.”

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Gary and Ryan can be seen above from when Ryan was just a young kidCredit: Instagram/ryanseacrest