Ryan Seacrest Wishes His Late Father a “Merry Heavenly Christmas”

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Ryan Seacrest is remembering his dad Gary Lee Seacrest.

Ryan Seacrest, the host of American Idol, recently shared how he spent his first Christmas since his father passed away after a long struggle with prostate cancer in October.

Ugh, my heart just broke seeing his Instagram post on Christmas. It just said, ‘First Christmas without Dad, but holding him close in all the ways we can.’ Seriously, I’m a mess! Then he added, ‘We miss you. Merry Heavenly Christmas.’ It’s so simple, but it just… gets me. I can’t even imagine how hard this must be for him and his family. I’m sending all my love!

Ryan shared photos of his cozy Christmas celebrations with family. One picture shows everyone in matching pajamas around a beautifully decorated tree. He also gave a peek at their holiday dinner, even sharing a photo of his empty plate afterward. Throughout the photos, Ryan is wearing fun Christmas tree glasses while helping out in the kitchen.

The emotional message followed a difficult birthday, marked by missing his father. The Wheel of Fortune host, whose birthday is December 24th, had spent the day before celebrating with a cherished family tradition: enjoying fondue.

He jokingly called it a “very cheesy” celebration in the caption of his Instagram video posted on December 24th, and thanked everyone for their birthday wishes.

Ryan has been thinking about the last time he saw Gary before he passed away, and also about the final conversation he had with his father, along with his mother, Constance Marie Zullinger, his sister, Meredith Seacrest, and her husband, Jimmy Leach.

During his podcast, On Air with Ryan Seacrest, Ryan recalled a very clear memory. He explained that his father, sounding weak and tired, told them he loved them and would miss them. Ryan specifically remembered his father looking at him, and the emotional impact of that gaze, as he said, ‘Take care of your mom.’

Ryan recalled his grandfather telling his sister, Jimmy, to look after his granddaughter, Flora. Almost immediately after, he closed his eyes and said he needed to leave. Ryan believes his grandfather knew his time was near and was calm about it.

He spoke fondly of his close relationship with his father and the lasting impact Gary will have on their family.

Ryan shared that his father really valued family dinners. He always made an effort to bring everyone together to talk and connect, and he consistently prioritized being there for those meals.

He described him as a true gentleman, someone who treated his mother with the respect, care, and attention you’d want for your own daughter – like holding the door open or walking her to the curb.

For a look at Ryan’s sweetest moments with his family, keep reading…

Ryan Seacrest mimicked his father Gary Lee Seacrest‘s style in an old family photo. 

In October 2025, Ryan posted a childhood photo of himself with his sister, Meredith Seacrest, to celebrate her birthday. He shared the picture on Instagram with a message expressing his gratitude for all their shared memories.

Ryan and Kara Seacrest grew up in Dunwoody, Georgia, where they were raised by their parents, Gary and Constance “Connie” Marie Zullinger.

Ryan and his family took a photo together on his father’s birthday in July 2025. Sadly, his father, Gary, passed away just a few months later in October. Ryan shared a sweet memory of his father in a post, recalling how Gary always enjoyed a fried egg sandwich with mustard for his birthday breakfast.

Families who share meals together tend to stay close. Ryan recently posted about enjoying dinner with his parents.

In 2014, Ryan and his parents were at the opening of Seacrest Studios at Boston Children’s Hospital. The studio creates radio and TV programs featuring the hospital’s patients and their families.

Family fun. The American Idol host and his father shared a moment in the kitchen. 

In a Father’s Day post from 2025, Ryan shared a photo highlighting his father’s influence on his life, writing, “Love you, Dad.”

In 2018, while hosting American Idol, Ryan Seacrest was joined by his mother, Connie, to ask viewers to vote for the contestants they liked best.

In August 2025, Ryan, his sister Meredith, her husband Jimmy Leach, and Meredith’s daughter Flora all went on a family trip to a vineyard. Ryan shared a photo from the trip on Instagram, calling it his “happy place.”

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2025-12-26 03:17