Ryan Seacrest Reveals Family Is 'Heartbroken' After Father's Untimely Passing

"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest has shared the saddening news that his father, Gary Lee Seacrest, has passed away at 81.

The passing of Ryan Seacrest's father comes just a few months after the TV personality fought back tears on the set of his radio show, "On Air with Ryan Seacrest," speaking about his father's health.

Ryan, 50, is certainly struggling with the untimely passing of his beloved father, sharing a family photo and detailing their relationship.

"It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that my loving father peacefully passed away earlier this week," he wrote in the caption. "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 went on to call Gary a "devoted husband ... incredible Papa ... and my best friend."

"Dad, you will live in our hearts forever. I love you," he finished.

Ryan reportedly opened up about the devastating moment while on air, recounting the "vivid" moment for his listeners. "... he said without much strength or energy that he loved us and that he was going to miss us," Ryan said.

"He looked over at me — and the power in the contact — he said, 'Take care of your mom.' And he said to my sister [Meredith], [and to her husband] Jimmy, 'Take care of Flora my granddaughter.' And then literally a few seconds later, he closed his eyes and said, 'I've got to go.' ... He knew. He was at peace," Ryan continued.

According to a previous report from The Blast, Ryan got quite emotional during an earlier episode of his radio show, in which he described his "close relationship" with his dad and shared that it had been challenging to watch his father battle prostate cancer.

He also recounted a startling experience where he had to fly to Atlanta, Georgia, after finishing an episode of "American Idol" due to his father being hospitalized with pneumonia.

"... 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. And this is ICU. With pneumonia, with the cancer, after the chemo," Ryan said.

Gary was released from the hospital after recovering from pneumonia just in time for his birthday and told his son that all he wanted was to spend time outside.

On his radio show, Ryan shared that he got the "most powerful, good, happy picture from my dad and my mother" sitting on the beach. "They just want to look at the water. They can't do much," Ryan said before describing how his father's diagnosis has impacted him and his family.

"So anyway, I watched them over the weekends send photos of smiling and happiness and being together — they've been married for 55 years. And they've got each other, and his pneumonia is gone, but his cancer is not, and so we have to go back into another treatment and fight this cancer. And it is, it is just, it's difficult. Cancer affects every one of us in some way. And it… then it sucks. The treatments suck," he said.

Fans flooded Ryan's Instagram with love, showering the beloved TV host with support and well-wishes.

His "American Idol" teammate, Katy Perry, wrote, "Sending you and your family all the love," while the official show Instagram wrote, "We love you, Ryan."

Holiday singer Michael Bublé added, "Love you, man," while Mario Lopez shared, "God bless you and your family, bro."

Longtime fans of Ryan's know the "Wheel of Fortune" host had a uniquely special bond with his father, Gary. He shed even more light on their relationship with a special Father's Day tribute post in June 2024.

"Thanks for all the unforgettable memories and for teaching me all of life's important lessons," he wrote. "Love you, Dad!"

A year before that, Ryan gave his father another shout-out on his birthday, showing the two men enjoying one another's company with a drink.