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Ryan Seacrest unrecognizable in 'radical' first-ever hosting role

The Live! with Kelly and Ryan star first worked on TV in 1993

Ryan Seacrest in a suit smiling on the Oscars red carpet
Hannah Watkin
Content Writer
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Ryan Seacrest is known nationwide for his role hosting all 21 seasons of American Idol as well as for being Kelly Ripa's co-host on Live! for the last six years, not to mention his long stint hosting red carpet shows on E!.

However, prior to his rise to fame, did you know that Ryan, now 48, first cut his trade on TV hosting a children's game show?

In fact, the radio personality's first television hosting gig came as a result of an ESPN show called Radical Outdoor Challenge —and he looked startlingly different at the time!

Ryan smiling at the camera while holding a mic up to his face© Cheap Seats on ESPN Classic
Ryan Seacrest hosting Radical Outdoor Challenge

Back in 1993, Ryan hosted the show, which challenged three kids per episode to compete against each other in adventure-themed outdoor assault courses; his co-hosts were Jerry Bernardo and Sharon Swainson.

DISCOVER: Who are Ryan Seacrest's famous ex-girlfriends? The American Idol host's dating history revealed

The future media mogul was just 19 at the time, and the newbie was eager to get involved in some of the activities. One surviving clip from the show shows the baby-faced star arriving to his hosting duties on a zip wire, then zooming down to introduce the episode's contestants.

Ryan wearing a red crash helmet while abseiling through some trees© Cheap Seats on ESPN Classic
Ryan abseiling on Radical Outdoor Challenge

While full episodes of Radical Outdoor Challenge appear to have been lost to time, one episode does exist through a fan recording of the comedy commentary show Cheap Seats. This ESPN Classic series jokingly covered an episode featuring Ryan in 2006.

A long way away from his first TV appearance, the now multi-millionaire — also a successful executive producer of such popular shows as Keeping Up with the Kardashians — is currently on our TV screens hosting the 21st season of American Idol

Ryan is also preparing to depart from his role as the co-host of Live! in order to focus on his other jobs in the entertainment industry. Relive the surprise moment when the Atlanta-born TV personality announced his departure in the video below.

WATCH: Ryan Seacrest announces he's leaving Live! with Kelly and Ryan

The talent competition host's very last day as Kelly's hosting partner is due to be April 14, after which his co-host's husband of over twenty years, Mark Consuelos, will take over hosting duties next to his wife 

ABC, the show's network, confirmed that Ryan would have his final day in mid-April, and Mark's first day will be the following Monday, April 17th, kicking off the week with a brand new era for the long-running show, which will officially be Live! With Kelly and Mark.

MORE: Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest to share final special show on Live with Kelly and Ryan – details

Mark's new job marks a full circle moment for him and his wife Kelly, who met on television playing Mateo and Haley on All My Children back in the 1990s.

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