How did Ryan Seacrest’s father die? TV host honors late father in emotional post after Gary Seacrest’s death at 79

Ryan Seacrest at the 2025 Joy Forum (Image via Amal Alhasan/Getty Images)

Wheel of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest revealed that his 79-year-old father, Gary Seacrest, has passed away years after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. The radio and TV personality announced his dad’s death on social media on Friday, October 31. In an Instagram post of a series of family pictures, including one where his late father is celebrating a birthday. He wrote:

“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.”

Seacrest previously shared in an Instagram post in 2021, per People, that his father had been “battling cancer for several years.” However, at the time when he shared the news online, he also said that they got the “best news” that his cancer was “no longer detectable.”

Ryan Seacrest previously discussed his father’s long battle with cancer

In the July 21 episode of On Air with Ryan Seacrest, the TV personality and host emotionally shared his father’s health battle years after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. As previously mentioned, Seacrest said in 2021 that his father’s cancer was no longer detectable. However, the cancer reportedly “got worse” and even spread.

He also shared that his father, Gary, was undergoing chemotherapy when he contracted pneumonia. It reportedly happened while he was hosting American Idol last season, with his sister calling him to say that Gary was in the ICU while he was working.

Ryan Seacrest at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Festival (Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

When he shared his father’s recent hospitalization, Ryan Seacrest said that Gary was already released and is home recovering. However, he shared how difficult it was to see his father struggling while at the hospital, saying:

“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 added that he spent some time in Atlanta so he would be near his father while he was in the ICU. He was reportedly broadcasting from his hotel room. And while his father’s pneumonia is gone, his prostate cancer remains.

Following the news of his father’s death, Seacrest also recalled the last moments he shared with his father in the October 31 broadcast of On Air with Ryan Seacrest. He said that despite not having a lot of strength and energy, Gary told them that he loved them and that he was going to miss everyone. He added:

“He looked over at me—and the power in the context—he said, ‘Take care of your mom.’”