“I’ve never seen my dad so weak” – Ryan Seacrest breaks down in tears as he reveals his father, Gary, was in the ICU battling advanced prostate cancer but has since made a miraculous recovery and is now smiling brightly beside his wife on the beach

Long-time “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest shared some sad news with fans on July 21st, revealing that his father, Gary Seacrest, has been battling prostate cancer. In an episode of “On Air With Ryan Seacrest,” Ryan explained how difficult it has been for him to watch his father navigate his illness, and hinted at the nature of their relationship. “I have a very close relationship with my father,” Ryan said. But who is Gary Seacrest? Here are five fast facts you need to know.

1. Gary Served as a Lieutenant in The U.S. Army

Before he was the father of an ultra-famous television and radio host, Gary was a lieutenant in the United States Army. Ryan is clearly proud of this fact, frequently posting photos of his father in his military uniform on social media for occasions such as Veteran’s Day.

In 2020, Gary even called into the show for an episode of “On Air With Ryan Seacrest” to discuss some of his time in the military. After Ryan jokingly asked if he was a spy while in Berlin, Gary explained: “I was in a special troops outfit and worked with some intelligence groups.” As they discussed during the episode, he worked at Checkpoint Charlie, a now former Berlin wall crossing point.

2. Ryan’s Dad Went to Law School After The Military

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While speaking about his military service, Gary also revealed what he did after returning to civilian life. “I went to law school and spent 40 years practicing law,” he said. “I had to grow up with a defense attorney as a parent, cross-examining me all the time,” Ryan quipped. Gary’s Avvo profile notes that he worked on personal injury and general practice cases, among many others during his long career.

3. Gary Has Been Married For Over Five Decades

Marriages aren’t always built to last, but Ryan’s parents are proving that love can continue for a lifetime. Gary married his wife, Constance, back in 1970. As The Wall Street Journal reported, the pair grew up very close together in Pennsylvania. “I played basketball against her team, and she was a cheerleader, so I knew who she was,” Gary shared.

As the article explains, the pair met while Gary was in Officer Candidate School for the army, which made him a little hesitant to pursue a relationship. “I wasn’t sure she should marry a soldier with the Vietnam War going on,” he admitted. “But we decided to do it and spend some time together before whatever would happen.” In the end, the pair raised Ryan and his sister, Meredith, in Georgia.

4. Ryan’s Dad Helped Him Navigate The Legal Side of His Early Career

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Ryan was still young when he began pursuing a career in entertainment, and Gary put his legal know-how to work helping his son navigate those early years. As The Wall Street Journal shared, Gary helped Ryan make sense of entertainment contracts — a crucial step in making sure a gig is truly right for you. “We’d go through them paragraph by paragraph,” the proud father shared. “I’d explain, ‘This one’s good for you; this one’s not so good.'” Those lessons helped Ryan get his career off to a solid start.

5. Gary is on The Board of Directors For The Ryan Seacrest Foundation

Gary has been very supportive of Ryan’s career, including his philanthropic efforts. Gary and his wife were deeply involved in the creation of The Ryan Seacrest foundation, and the whole family of four currently serves on the board of directors. As the foundation’s website states, “RSF’s primary initiative is to build broadcast media centers, named Seacrest Studios, within pediatric hospitals for patients to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media.”

While speaking with The Wall Street Journal, Gary shared some details about the impact the foundation has had. “Hospitals have told us that whenever there’s a broadcast, the calls for doctors, nurses and medication go way down,” he said. Gary has also spent time with patients’ families. “Parents have broken down, and I cry with them in these lobbies,” he shared. Making a difference has clearly become a family affair for the Seacrests.