Ryan Seacrest shared the news on Instagram that his father, Gary, has died at the age of 81. The Wheel of Fortune host revealed he died after many years of battling prostate cancer.
“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 wrote.
“He was a devoted husband for 56 years, an incredible Papa to Flora, and my best friend. Dad, you will live in our hearts forever. I love you.”
Alongside the news, Seacrest shared photos of his family with his father, including a throwback image of his younger self.
Earlier this year, Seacrest shared in an episode ofOn Air with Ryan Seacrest his father’s struggles with cancer as “it got worse and it spread.” In 2021, Seacrest revealed his father had been battling cancer for years and had initially gone through remission.
“When this happens to somebody or someone really close to you that you love, this is 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,” he shared.
Seacrest also spoke of a life-or-death conversation when his father contracted pneumonia during his chemotherapy that led him to the ICU. His father had ultimately decided against surgery and got better over time. He returned to his home in Atlanta with full-time care.
Alongside his father, Seacrest also revealed his mother, Connie, was also in remission from cancer.
Gary was married to his wife for 56 years and is survived by his children, Ryan, Meredith Seacrest, and his granddaughter, Flora Leach.
