A Holiday of Quiet Remembrance: Ryan Seacrest Navigates His First Christmas Without His Father

The bright lights of Hollywood and the rhythmic spinning of the iconic Wheel of Fortune might suggest a world of perpetual celebration, but for host Ryan Seacrest, the 2025 holiday season carries a profound, quiet weight. This year, the ubiquitous media mogul is preparing for a Christmas defined not just by the festive cheer of his television specials, but by a significant absence: the first holiday season since the passing of his father, Gary Seacrest.

In a recent, heartfelt exchange at the iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM Jingle Ball on December 6, Seacrest opened up about the emotional landscape of a family facing their first “empty chair” at the dinner table. Gary Seacrest passed away in October at the age of 79, following a courageous and prolonged battle with cancer.¹ For Ryan, the loss is not merely that of a parent, but of a primary anchor in his whirlwind life.

The Hero Behind the Host

While the world knows Ryan Seacrest as the polished face of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, American Idol, and New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, he has always been quick to credit his father as the architect of his character. Seacrest has frequently described Gary as more than just a father; he was a “hero” and a “best friend.”²

The news of Gary’s passing was first shared by Ryan in a poignant Instagram tribute on October 30. “It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that my loving father peacefully passed away earlier this week,” Seacrest wrote to his millions of followers.³ He painted a picture of a man who was a devoted husband of 56 years to Ryan’s mother, Connie, and a doting “Papa” to his granddaughter, Flora.

Behind the scenes of Ryan’s meteoric rise—from his early days in radio to becoming a permanent fixture in American living rooms—Gary was a constant, steadying presence. Whether it was the early mornings of Live with Kelly and Ryan or the primetime pressure of the Wheel, Ryan often felt his father’s watchful, supportive eye.

Traditions as a Path to Healing

Grief, especially during the holidays, often finds its most potent expression in the “firsts”—the first tree-trimming without a specific joke, the first meal without a specific toast. Seacrest admitted to reporters that the family is still in the “discovery phase” of this new reality.

“This will be our first Christmas without him,” Seacrest remarked with characteristic transparency. “I’m not quite sure what it’ll be like yet because we haven’t been there to experience a Christmas without him. But we’ll certainly honor him.”

To navigate this transition, the Seacrest family is leaning heavily into the rituals that Gary loved most. Rather than shying away from the memories that might bring a sting of sadness, they are choosing to invite Gary’s spirit into the room through the very traditions he curated.

The Signature Salad: Ryan shared that the family will continue to make the specific Caesar salad that Gary was famous for preparing.

The Final Toast: A glass of Gary’s favorite red wine will be poured, and the family will gather to offer a toast in his memory.

These acts are more than just culinary choices; they are a form of “continuing bonds,” a psychological term for the healthy way survivors maintain a connection with the deceased. By preparing the salad the way Gary did and drinking the wine he enjoyed, the Seacrest family ensures that his seat at the table remains occupied by his legacy.

The Show Must Go On: Finding Structure in Work

For many, the instinct during a period of deep mourning is to retreat. However, Seacrest—a man whose work ethic is legendary—has found a different kind of solace. He is currently balancing his grief with one of the busiest periods of his professional year.

As the host of both the nightly Wheel of Fortune and the primetime Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, Seacrest is constantly in the public eye. He noted that the structure of these long-standing shows offers a necessary framework during a time when his personal life feels anchored in loss.

In addition to the Wheel, Seacrest is gearing up for his 19th year leading Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. There is a poignant irony in Seacrest standing in the middle of a million people in Times Square, counting down to a new year that his father will not see. Yet, it is this very commitment to tradition—both public and private—that seems to be guiding him through.

Advocacy Through Loss

Ryan has not been shy about using his platform to turn personal pain into public awareness. Long before Gary’s passing, Ryan used his radio and television presence to speak about his father’s battle with prostate cancer. He frequently urged listeners to keep families affected by the disease in their thoughts and emphasized the importance of early detection and support.

This transparency has resonated with fans who see in Seacrest a reflection of their own holiday struggles. The holidays are often marketed as a time of pure joy, but for many, they are a complex tapestry of “missing” someone. By speaking openly about his father’s cancer battle and the subsequent hole it has left in his family, Seacrest provides a sense of communal healing for his audience.

A Special Kind of Christmas

Despite the heartbreak, Seacrest remains optimistic about the upcoming holiday. He chooses to frame the season not as a period of lack, but as a “special Christmas” dedicated to the man who helped him become who he is today.

The transition from Gary being a physical presence in the studio or at the dinner table to becoming a memory honored through Caesar salad and red wine is a difficult one. However, as Seacrest continues to spin the wheel and count down the seconds to midnight, he does so with the knowledge that his “hero” would want the show—and the family traditions—to go on.

In the end, Ryan Seacrest’s first Christmas without his father is a reminder that while the people we love may leave us, the traditions they leave behind are the threads that keep the fabric of a family together. Whether on a soundstage in Hollywood or at a quiet family dinner, Gary Seacrest’s influence remains, as Ryan puts it, “a best friend” that never truly leaves his side.