ABC

Celebrities have been quick to pay tribute to Dick Clark following the news that he died after suffering a heart attack this morning. Many stars took to Twitter with memories of the legendary entertainer:

Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest): "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend  Dick  Clark. He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life."

Seacrest later released a full statement this afternoon: "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Dick Clark. He has truly been one of the greatest influences in my life. I idolized him from the start, and I was graced early on in my career with his generous advice and counsel," the statement said. "When I joined his show in 2006 , it was a dream come true to work with him every New Year's Eve for the last 6 years. He was smart, charming, funny and always a true gentleman. I learned a great deal from him, and I'll always be indebted to him for his faith and support of me. He was a remarkable host and businessman and left a rich legacy to television audiences around the world. We will all miss him."

Other celebrities tweeted:

Joan Rivers (@Joan_Rivers): "Very sad to hear about Dick Clark. What a great life. What a great career. Relevant until the end. He will be missed!"

Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus): "R. I. P. Dick Clark. Thoughts and prayers with the Clark Family."

Questlove (@questlove): "Dick Clark. A Great Philadelphian. Thank You Very Much!"

Holly Robinson Peete (@hollyrpeete): #RIP Dick Clark. Always so nice Employed me many times. I will miss you Dick. Prayers to Kari and the family #Legend

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg put out a statement the old fashioned way, saying through his press office, "Times Square is considered the crossroads of the world in no small part because Dick Clark's New Years Eve celebrations there were beamed across the globe. I remember one New Years Eve, he and I stood in Times Square marveling about how much the area - and the City - had improved over the years. But Dick Clark never had to change - he was a great entertainer who stood the test of time. Generations of Americans grew up with Dick, and yet he seemed forever young. His spirit will always live on in Times Square, and in hearts of millions of New Yorkers."

Robert Iger, Chairman and CEO for the Walt Disney Company - the parent company of ABC, also remembered the television icon in a statement.

"For more than half a century, Dick Clark brought the best of American music to audiences across the country, creating careers and countless fans for artists on his iconic shows, American Bandstand and New Year's Rockin' Eve," Iger said in a statement.  "We're proud that ABC was home to those programs and will always be part of his legacy.  On behalf of everyone at Disney and ABC, we send our sincere condolences to Dick's family, as well as the three generations of fans who will miss him as much as we do."

Jenny McCarthy worked with Clark on the American Music awards and New Year's Rockin Eve. She said "he was a great man who always encouraged everyone to give their best."

"He will be dearly missed and his spirit will be forever in my heart, especially counting down the minutes to midnight every New Year's Eve to come," she said in a statement.

Kenny Rogers said Clark helped him to keep going in his music career.

"I'm one of the lucky people who can say that I knew Dick Clark personally. Dick produced almost every awards show I was on during the 80's, and he constantly encouraged me toward success," Rogers said in a statement. "He will be missed by everyone-especially by those who knew him well."

Singer Diana Ross recalled everything Clark did for American pop music.

"I will always appreciate what he did for me and for popular music.  He presented Motown and The Supremes on tour with the Caravan of Stars and on American Bandstand where I got my start," Ross said in a statement. "Dick Clark was a pioneer, he was a music star maker,  he was a legend and was my friend. He said that 'music is the soundtrack of your life.   Since I was 16, he was always a part of mine. My love and prayers go out to his family."

Barry Gordy, founder of Motown also echoed the same sentiments.

"I'm saddened and devastated over the loss of my dear friend, Dick Clark. We were friends for over 50 years.  My thoughts and condolences go out to his family, especially his wonderful wife, Kari, who took such incredible care of him always. Dick was always there for me and Motown, even before there was a Motown.  He was an entrepreneur, a visionary and a major force in changing pop culture and ultimately influencing integration," Gordy said in a statement.  "It happened first emotionally.  Music can do that.  He didn't do it from a soap box, he just did it.  That's who he was.  American Bandstand was a platform for all artists.  For me personally, he helped bring Motown into living rooms across America. Dick did everything with class, style and integrity.  He was a true gentleman. His groundbreaking achievements in music and television ensure that his legacy will live on forever."

Singer Stevie Wonder said Clark helped to diversify music by given all musicians opportunities to showcase their talents.

"Dick Clark bridged a color gap at a time when there should not have been one, giving musical life to black artists that may not have had a chance. He gave music freedom - equal opportunity. He wore many hats and all of them incredibly well.  His saying was its got a beat and you can dance to it.  My words are he had a heart of gold, that's what I know and I'm stickin to it," Wonder said in a statement.