A long-time TV host and correspondent, best known for her 29-year stint as the anchor of Entertainment Tonight, bringing celebrity news and gossip to millions of viewers.
Mary Hart is an American television personality, best known for hosting the popular syndicated gossip and entertainment roundup program, Entertainment Tonight, for an impressive 30 years (1982-2011). During her tenure, she became synonymous with the show, providing viewers with the latest news and scoops from Hollywood.
Born Mary Johanna Harum on November 8, 1950, in Madison, South Dakota, Hart was raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Denmark, where she developed fluency in English, Danish, and Swedish. After graduating from Augustana Academy in 1968 and Augustana College in 1972, Hart began her career as a teacher, teaching English at Washington High School for two years.
Simultaneously, Hart produced and anchored her own talk show on KSFY-TV in Sioux Falls, marking the beginning of her journey in television. Her early endeavors led her to work as a sales representative for a school yearbook company, before moving to Los Angeles in 1979 with a mere $10,000 in the bank.
Hart's determination to make it big in Los Angeles led her to land small roles on the soap opera Days of Our Lives and various TV commercials. Her breakthrough came when she became a co-host on the Los Angeles version of PM Magazine, which eventually led to her being hired as a correspondent on Entertainment Tonight in 1981.
Just 13 weeks later, Hart was named the show's co-host, alongside Ron Hendren. Over the years, she worked with several co-hosts, including Robb Weller, John Tesh, and Bob Goen, before finally pairing up with Mark Steines in 2004.
Mary Hart's impact on the entertainment industry is undeniable. With her warm and engaging on-screen presence, she made Entertainment Tonight a staple in American television, providing viewers with access to the latest news, gossip, and behind-the-scenes insights into the world of Hollywood.
Hart's dedication to her craft was recognized with multiple Emmy nominations and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She has also been honored with the American Women in Radio and Television Gracie Award for Outstanding Host-Information and the Prism Award for Outstanding News and Documentary Series.
When she's not bringing the latest entertainment news to the masses, Hart is dedicated to various charitable causes, including the March of Dimes and the American Cancer Society. She has also been involved in several fundraising campaigns, including the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Stand Up to Cancer initiative.
Hart's personal life has been marked by her long-standing marriage to Burt Sugerman, a producer and screenwriter, whom she wed in 1982. The couple has one son, Alec "AJ" Sugerman, born in 1991.
Mary Hart's influence on popular culture extends beyond her work on Entertainment Tonight. She has been referenced in various TV shows, including The Simpsons, Friends, and Saturday Night Live, cementing her status as a cultural icon.
Hart's legacy continues to inspire aspiring journalists and television personalities, paving the way for women in the entertainment industry. Her dedication to her craft and her philanthropic efforts have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment.
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