10 things to know about Atlanta's Ryan Seacrest

NEW YORK — The big news of Monday morning is that Ryan Seacrest has been named as Kelly Ripa's co-host for LIVE with Kelly.

Did you know that the radio and TV star is from Atlanta?

You can watch 'Live with Kelly and Ryan' on WSB-TV at 9 a.m.

Here are 10 things to know about the Atlanta-native:

• In an interview with Atlanta Magazine in 2003, Seacrest said Channel 2's John Pruitt was his idol and that he wanted to be in TV or radio someday.
  

• He was a graduate of Dunwoody High School. 
  

• He studied journalism at University of Georgia.
  
• He interned at STAR 94 in Atlanta with Tom Sullivan, who trained him in radio.
  

• He left UGA at age 19 to move to Hollywood to pursue his broadcasting career.
  
• Seacrest took over the role of host for "Dick Clark for 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" when the legendary TV host suffered a stroke.

• In 2004, Seacrest became the new host for the American Top 40 radio, which began in 1970 with host Casey Kasem. 
  
• Seacrest has 35 TV producing and hosting credits under his belt.
  
• Seacrest has co-hosted 'LIVE' five times since the show began looking for a new co-host.
  
• On May 14, 2016, he returned to UGA to give advice to alumni and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. 
  

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