Mary Hart Biography

A contemporary television icon and perennial viewer favorite, Mary Hart is the co-host for the No. 1 magazine in syndication, Entertainment Tonight. Hart joined the program as a correspondent in 1982, but within weeks was tapped to co-host the show.

In addition to her ET responsibilities and acclaim, Hart was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable “Hall of Fame” and received the American Women in Radio and Television’s 1998 Silver Satellite Award. She also hosted the highly rated CBS television special “Ladies’ Home Journal Presents ‘The Most Fascinating Women of 1997.’”

Born in South Dakota, Hart graduated from Augustana College where she majored in English. As a college student, she reigned as Miss South Dakota, finishing as runner-up in the Miss America Pareant. Hart was inspired to pursue broadcasting when, as a contestant, she realized how much she enjoyed being interviewed on television.

After graduation, she became a high school English teacher in Sioux Falls and, simultaneously, began hosting a local cable show.

Later, upon moving to Cedar Rapids, IA, Hart added a television and radio show to her credits. Hart’s burgeoning television career brought her to Oklahoma City in 1976, where she spent three years as co-host of “Dannysday,” a noontime talk show on the NBC affiliate. That success led to statewide celebrity status, and she soon relocated to California to further her career. Performing in national commercials and hosting the popular “PM Magazine,” Hart impressed NBC, which in 1981 tapped her to co-host the daytime talk entry, “The Regis Philbin Show.” Shortly after that series was canceled in 1982, Paramount Domestic Television hired her for ET, where she continues to personify entertainment journalism.

In addition to her daily anchor role on Entertainment Tonight, Hart hosted and executive produced two prime-time television interview specials “Mary Hart Presents: Love in the Public Eye” and “Mary Hart Presents: Power in the Public Eye” in 1991.

A physical fitness enthusiast, Hart’s first video “Shape Up with Mary Hart,” quickly attained platinum status after its 1989 release. Named one of that year’s top 10 home videops by People Magazine, it has sold more than a half-million copies. Her second exercise video, “Mary Hart—Fit and Firm” was released in 1990 and achieved gold status.

An accomplished singer who has performed variety shows in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, Hart also recorded a collection a lullabies, “Songs from the Heart” (Madacy Music Group) in 1994. The album contains a song she penned for her son, “Lullaby for AJ.”

She has also hosted the Tournament of Roses Parade (1984-89) and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (1987) for which she has garnered two Emmy Award nominations.

In 1989, she was awarded a star on Hollywood’s renowned “Walk of Fame.” That event coincided with the landmark 2,000th episode of Entertainment Tonight, an unprecedented feat in television syndication history.

Involved in numerous charitable causes, Hart serves on the board of directors for the National Childhood Cancer Foundation. She is also a Child Help Ambassador, combating child abuse across America; and has co-hosted the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon for 15 years.

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