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{{short description|American television personality (born 1950)}}
{{Other people}}
{{Other people}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name =Mary Hart
| name =Mary Hart
| image = Mary Hart 2008.jpg
| image = Mary Hart 2008.jpg
| caption = Hart modeling for [[The Heart Truth]] charity fashion show in 2007
| caption = Hart modeling for [[The Heart Truth]] charity fashion show in 2008
| birth_date ={{birth date and age|1950|11|8}}
| birth_date ={{birth date and age|1950|11|8}}
| birth_place = [[Madison, South Dakota]], U.S.<ref name="Thomas Riggs" />
| birth_place = [[Madison, South Dakota]], U.S.<ref name="Thomas Riggs" />
| birthname = Mary Johanna Harum
| birthname = Mary Johanna Harum
| years_active = 1972–present
| years_active = 1972–present
| occupation = Television personality, talk show host, singer
| occupation = Television personality, talk show host
| title =[[Miss South Dakota]] 1970<br>Semi-finalist [[Miss America 1971]]
| title =[[Miss South Dakota]] 1970<br>Semi-finalist [[Miss America 1971]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Terry Hart<br>|1972|1979|end=div}}<br> {{marriage|[[Burt Sugarman]]<br>|1989}}
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Terry Hart<br>|1972|1979|end=div}}
* {{marriage|[[Burt Sugarman]]<br>|1989}}
}}
| children = 1
| children = 1
}}
}}


'''Mary Hart''' (born '''Mary Johanna Harum'''; November 8, 1950<ref name="Thomas Riggs">{{cite book|last=Riggs|first=Thomas|title=Contemporary theatre, film, and television|url=https://archive.org/details/contemporarythea45rigg|url-access=limited|year=2002|publisher=Gale Cengage|isbn=978-0-7876-6360-5|page=[https://archive.org/details/contemporarythea45rigg/page/n96 90]}}</ref>) is an American television personality and was the long-running host (1982–2011) of the syndicated [[gossip]] and entertainment round-up program ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'', which is the longest running entertainment magazine show of all time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Entertainment Tonight|url=http://www.cbstvd.com/shows.aspx?showid=10|accessdate=October 3, 2012|newspaper=[[CBS]]}}</ref> She was also [[Miss South Dakota]] 1970.
'''Mary Hart''' (born '''Mary Johanna Harum'''; November 8, 1950<ref name= "Thomas Riggs">{{cite book|last=Riggs|first=Thomas|title= Contemporary theatre, film, and television| url=https://archive.org/details/contemporarythea45rigg|url-access=limited|year=2002|publisher=Gale Cengage|isbn=978-0-7876-6360-5|page=[https://archive.org/details/contemporarythea45rigg/page/n96 90]}}</ref>) is an American television personality. She was the host (1982–2011) of the syndicated [[gossip]] and entertainment round-up television program ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Entertainment Tonight |url= http://www.cbstvd.com/shows.aspx?showid=10|access-date=October 3, 2012|newspaper=[[CBS]]}}</ref> She was [[Miss South Dakota]] 1970.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Hart was born in [[Madison, South Dakota]]<ref name="Thomas Riggs" /> and lived in [[Sioux Falls, South Dakota]], as well as in [[Denmark]], as a child and teenager.<ref name="N.E.A. B2">{{cite news|title=Hart goes from beauty queen to TV screen |last=N.E.A.| date=1984-06-01|publisher=Gadsden Times|page=B2}}</ref> She speaks both [[Danish language|Danish]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]] fluently. Hart, who competed as Mary Harum when she was [[Miss South Dakota]] 1970, was a semi-finalist in the [[Miss America 1971]] pageant.<ref>{{cite news|title=The original 'E.T.' has found its way to rating success| date=1983-03-11|publisher=The Miami News|page=7A}}</ref> In 1968, Hart graduated, first from [[Augustana Academy]]<ref>https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0366433/bio</ref> and in 1972 from [[Augustana College (South Dakota)|Augustana College]] in Sioux Falls.<ref name=autogenerated2>[http://www.augie.edu/news/2011-05/news-alumna-mary-hart-signs-off-entertainment-tonight In the News: Alumna Mary Hart Signs Off From 'Entertainment Tonight' | Augustana College]</ref> While teaching English at [[Washington High School (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)|Washington High School]] for two years,<ref name=autogenerated2 /> she also produced and anchored her own talk show on [[KSFY-TV]], the local [[NBC]] affiliate.<ref name="N.E.A. B2"/>
Mary Harum was born in [[Madison, South Dakota]].<ref name="Thomas Riggs" /> She was raised in [[Sioux Falls, South Dakota]], and [[Denmark]].<ref name="N.E.A. B2">{{cite news|title=Hart goes from beauty queen to TV screen |last=N.E.A.| date=1984-06-01|work= [[Gadsden Times]] |page=B2}}</ref> She speaks English, [[Danish language|Danish]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]] fluently.

She graduated from [[Augustana Academy]] in 1968<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0366433/bio | title= Mary Hart Biography| website= IMDb.com}}</ref> and from [[Augustana College (South Dakota)|Augustana College]] in Sioux Falls in 1972.<ref name= autogenerated2>{{cite web| url= http://www.augie.edu/news/2011-05/news-alumna-mary-hart-signs-off-entertainment-tonight | title=In the News: Alumna Mary Hart Signs Off From 'Entertainment Tonight' | publisher= Augustana College| date= May 2011| website= augie.edu }}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
She was crowned [[Miss South Dakota]] 1970 and subsequently was a semi-finalist in the [[Miss America 1971]] pageant.<ref>{{cite news|title=The original 'E.T.' has found its way to rating success| date=1983-03-11| work=The Miami News|page=7A}}</ref>
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Hart began her full-time television career in 1975 at WMT-TV (currently KGAN) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, then moving to [[KMTV]] in [[Omaha, Nebraska]]. In 1976, she went to KTVY (now [[KFOR-TV]]) in [[Oklahoma City]], where she co-hosted a show with Danny Williams called ''Dannysday''. She also was a sales representative for a school yearbook company. Determined to leave [[journalism]] behind, she moved to the [[Los Angeles]] neighborhood of [[Westwood, Los Angeles|Westwood]] in 1979 with $10,000 in the bank.<ref name="New York Times News Service C1-2">{{cite news|title=Famous for watching the famous |last=New York Times News Service| date=2002-07-14|publisher=Toledo Blade|page=C1–2}}</ref> Hart landed a small role on the [[soap opera]] ''[[Days of Our Lives]]'', as well as some [[TV commercials]]. Almost broke, she became a co-host on the Los Angeles version of the syndicated ''[[PM Magazine]]''. That led to a job in 1981 as co-host of [[Regis Philbin]]'s first national [[talk show]] on NBC. When that show was canceled four months later, ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'' interviewed her about what it felt like to be canceled. The day after the interview, she was hired as an ''ET'' correspondent. Thirteen weeks later, she was named the show's co-host, along with [[Ron Hendren]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Beauty queen finds success on TV screen |last=N.E.A.| date=1984-06-14|publisher=Bowling Green Daily News|page=5B}}</ref>

While teaching English at [[Washington High School (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)|Washington High School]] for two years,<ref name=autogenerated2 /> she also produced and anchored her own talk show on then-[[NBC]] affiliate [[KSFY-TV]] in Sioux Falls.<ref name="N.E.A. B2"/>

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Hart began her full-time television career in 1975 at WMT-TV (currently [[KGAN]]) in [[Cedar Rapids, Iowa]], then moving to [[KMTV]] in [[Omaha, Nebraska]]. In 1976, she went to KTVY (now [[KFOR-TV]]) in [[Oklahoma City]], where, with Danny Williams, she co-hosted the show ''Dannysday''. She also was a sales representative for a school yearbook company. Determined to leave [[journalism]] behind, she moved to the [[Los Angeles]] neighborhood of [[Westwood, Los Angeles|Westwood]] in 1979 with $10,000 in the bank.<ref name="New York Times News Service C1-2">{{cite news|title=Famous for watching the famous | agency=New York Times News Service| date=2002-07-14| work= [[Toledo Blade]]|page=C1–2}}</ref> Hart landed a small role on the [[soap opera]] ''[[Days of Our Lives]]'' as well as some [[TV commercials]]. Nearly without money, she became a co-host on the Los Angeles version of the syndicated ''[[PM Magazine]]''. That led to a job in 1981 as co-host of [[Regis Philbin]]'s first national [[talk show]] on NBC. When that show was canceled four months later, ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'' interviewed her about what it felt like to be canceled. The day after the interview, she was hired as one of its correspondents. Thirteen weeks later, she was named the show's co-host, along with [[Ron Hendren]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Beauty queen finds success on TV screen |last=N.E.A.| date=1984-06-14|work= [[Bowling Green Daily News]] |page=5B}}</ref>

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In 1984, Hendren was replaced by [[Robb Weller]], who was replaced by [[John Tesh]] in 1986, who was replaced by [[Bob Goen]] in 1996. Hart began co-hosting ''ET'' with [[Mark Steines]] in 2004.<ref name="New York Times News Service C1-2"/><ref name="broadcastingcable.com">{{cite web|last=Benson |first=Jim |url= http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/106069-Mary_Hart_Re_Ups_at_ET.php |title=Mary Hart Re-Ups at ET |website=Broadcastingcable.com |date=2006-10-08 |access-date=2011-11-18}}</ref> Soon after her hiring by ''ET'', Hart chose [[Jay Bernstein]] as her manager.


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Hart is known for her shapely legs, leading to an endorsement contract with [[Hanes]] for that company's line of [[pantyhose]] in 1987. [[Jay Bernstein]] had her legs insured with [[Lloyd's of London]] for $1 million each.<ref name=ChicagoSunTimes_19890216>{{cite news |title= Mary Hart to wed producer |work= [[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date= February 16, 1989}}</ref><ref name= Brioux2007_p161>{{cite book| access-date=21 October 2017 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=voIe7XkFvEsC&q=Mary+Hart+legs+insured&pg=PA161 |title=Truth and Rumors |first=Bill |last=Brioux |page=161 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |year=2008 |isbn= 978-0-275-99247-7}}</ref> Executive Producer Linda Bell Blue described Hart as "the face of ''ET''". On March 29, 1987 she participated in the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]]'s [[WrestleMania III]], serving as the guest timekeeper in the main event between [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[André the Giant]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Silverdome shudders as 93,173 spectators watch Hulk Hogan win |newspaper=Lakeland Ledger |date=March 30, 1987 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19870329&id=7bNOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uPsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6616,7205878 |access-date=November 25, 2013}}</ref>
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In 1984, Hendren was replaced by [[Robb Weller]], who was replaced by [[John Tesh]] in 1986, who was replaced by [[Bob Goen]] in 1996. Hart began co-hosting ''ET'' with [[Mark Steines]] in 2004.<ref name="New York Times News Service C1-2"/><ref name="broadcastingcable.com">{{cite web|last=Benson |first=Jim |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/106069-Mary_Hart_Re_Ups_at_ET.php |title=Mary Hart Re-Ups at ET |publisher=Broadcastingcable.com |date=2006-10-08 |accessdate=2011-11-18}}</ref> Soon after her hiring by ''ET'', Hart chose [[Jay Bernstein]] as her manager. Hart is known for her shapely legs, leading to an endorsement contract with [[Hanes]] for that company's line of [[pantyhose]] in 1987. [[Jay Bernstein]] had her legs insured with [[Lloyd's of London]] for $1 million each.<ref name=ChicagoSunTimes_19890216>{{cite news
|title=Mary Hart to wed producer |work=Chicago Sun-Times
|date=February 16, 1989}}</ref><ref name= Brioux2007_p161>
{{cite book|access-date=21 October 2017 |url=https://books.google.com/?id=voIe7XkFvEsC&pg=PA161&lpg=PA161&dq=Mary+Hart+legs+insured
|title=Truth and Rumors |first=Bill |last=Brioux |page=161
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|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-275-99247-7}}</ref> Executive Producer Linda Bell Blue described Hart as "the face of ''ET''". On March 29, 1987 she participated in the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]]'s [[WrestleMania III]], serving as the guest timekeeper in the main event between [[Hulk Hogan]] and [[André the Giant]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Silverdome shudders as 93,173 spectators watch Hulk Hogan win |newspaper=Lakeland Ledger |date=March 30, 1987 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19870329&id=7bNOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uPsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6616,7205878 |accessdate=November 25, 2013}}</ref>


During the summer of 1988, Hart appeared in [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] with comedian [[David Brenner]] at the [[Golden Nugget Las Vegas|Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino]], which realized another of her childhood dreams, singing and dancing on stage. She continued her work on ''Entertainment Tonight'' while performing in Las Vegas, flying between the cities after two shows in Vegas, the last at 11:00PM, to film ''ET'' the following morning at 8:00AM.<ref>{{cite news|title='Entertainment Tonight' hostess becomes showgirl |last=Associated Press| date=1988-06-01|publisher=Kentucky New Era|page=9B}}</ref> In 1991, the ''[[New England Journal of Medicine]]'' reported that Hart's voice had triggered [[seizures]] in an [[epilepsy|epileptic]] woman.<ref>{{cite web
During the summer of 1988, Hart appeared in [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] with comedian [[David Brenner]] at the [[Golden Nugget Las Vegas|Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino]], which realized another of her childhood dreams, singing and dancing on stage. She continued her work on ''Entertainment Tonight'' while performing in Las Vegas, flying between the cities after two shows in Vegas, the last at 11:00PM, to film ''ET'' the following morning at 8:00AM.<ref>{{cite news|title='Entertainment Tonight' hostess becomes showgirl |last=Associated Press| date= 1988-06-01 |work= [[Kentucky New Era]] |page=9B}}</ref> In 1991, the ''[[New England Journal of Medicine]]'' reported that Hart's voice had triggered [[seizures]] in an [[epilepsy|epileptic]] woman.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://tafkac.org/faq2k/television_307.html
|url=http://tafkac.org/faq2k/television_307.html
|title=Kill Your Television!
|title=Kill Your Television!
|publisher=The AFU & Urban Legends Archive
|publisher=The AFU & Urban Legends Archive
⚫
|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728104802/http://tafkac.org/faq2k/television_307.html
|url-status=dead
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|archive-date=July 28, 2013
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|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728104802/http://tafkac.org/faq2k/television_307.html
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}}</ref> This was later referenced in an episode of ''[[Tiny Toon Adventures]]''<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.platypuscomix.net/onlyme/toonfax.html |title=THE HUGE PAGE OF TINY TOONS/ANIMANIACS FACTS, VERSION 2.0 |publisher=Platypuscomix.net |date=1992-06-08 |access-date=2011-11-18}}</ref> and the NBC [[sitcom]] ''[[Seinfeld]]'', where [[Cosmo Kramer|Kramer]] ([[Michael Richards]]) suffers from convulsions whenever he hears Hart's voice. Hart has been parodied in ''[[Animaniacs]]'' in the character Mary Heartless. She voiced the cartoon character Fairy Hart in an episode of ''[[The Fairly OddParents]]'' and in ''The Fairly Oddparents'' [[TV movie]] ''Fairly OddBaby''.
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|archivedate=July 28, 2013
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}} </ref> This was later referenced in an episode of ''[[Tiny Toon Adventures]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.platypuscomix.net/onlyme/toonfax.html |title=THE HUGE PAGE OF TINY TOONS/ANIMANIACS FACTS, VERSION 2.0 |publisher=Platypuscomix.net |date=1992-06-08 |accessdate=2011-11-18}}</ref> and the NBC [[sitcom]] ''[[Seinfeld]]'', where [[Cosmo Kramer|Kramer]] ([[Michael Richards]]) suffers from convulsions whenever he hears Hart's voice. Hart has been parodied in ''[[Animaniacs]]'' in the character "Mary Heartless". She had also voiced a cartoon character named "Fairy Hart" in an episode of ''[[The Fairly OddParents]]'' where [[Bob Goen]] voiced "Bob Glimmer", and in ''The Fairly Oddparents'' [[TV movie]], ''Fairly OddBaby''.


[[File:MaryHartAAFeb09.jpg|thumb|right|Hart at the [[81st Academy Awards]] in February 2009.]]
[[File:MaryHartAAFeb09.jpg|thumb|right|Hart at the [[81st Academy Awards]] in February 2009.]]


In May 2009, Hart suffered a broken left wrist[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84lKyWAteDY] due to an accident at home (not due to any exotic activity, despite her jokes about it). While her wrist was healing, she wore various brightly colored slings designed to match or complement her wardrobe for each show. On August 5, 2010, Hart announced that she was leaving the show at the end of the upcoming 30th season, citing that she was ready for a change.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Mary-Hart-Leaving-ET-1021498.aspx|title=Mary Hart Exiting Entertainment Tonight|last=DiNunno|first=Gina|date=2010-08-05|publisher=tvguide.com|accessdate=2010-08-05}}</ref> Hart's final episode aired on May 20, 2011—ending her 29-year history with the program.<ref name=nyt-hartleaving>{{cite news|title=After Hart, a Deluge of Meaner Celebrity TV?|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/20/arts/television/mary-hart-retires-from-entertainment-tonight.html?_r=0|accessdate=30 October 2015|work=The New York Times}}</ref>
In May 2009, Hart suffered a broken left wrist due to an accident at home (not due to any exotic activity, despite her jokes about it).<ref>{{cite web| title= Mary Hart Broken Wrist | url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84lKyWAteDY | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/84lKyWAteDY| archive-date=2021-11-17 | url-status=live| via= YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> While her wrist was healing, she wore various brightly colored slings designed to match or complement her wardrobe for each show. On August 5, 2010, Hart announced that she was leaving the show at the end of the upcoming 30th season, citing that she was ready for a change.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.tvguide.com/News/Mary-Hart-Leaving-ET-1021498.aspx|title=Mary Hart Exiting Entertainment Tonight|last=DiNunno|first=Gina|date= 2010-08-05|publisher=tvguide.com|access-date=2010-08-05}}</ref> Hart's final episode aired on May 20, 2011—ending her 29-year history with the program.<ref name=nyt-hartleaving>{{cite news|title=After Hart, a Deluge of Meaner Celebrity TV?| url= https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/20/arts/television/mary-hart-retires-from-entertainment-tonight.html?_r=0|access-date=30 October 2015|work=The New York Times| date=19 May 2011 | last1=Barnes | first1=Brooks }}</ref>


Between 2014 and 2016, Hart was a recurring character on the [[Freeform (TV channel)|ABC Family]] sitcom ''[[Baby Daddy]]'', as a fictional version of herself, who hosts a morning show called "The Mary Hart Show", and was the boss of [[Tahj Mowry]]'s chracter Tucker Dobbs.
Between 2014 and 2016, Hart was a recurring character on the [[Freeform (TV channel)|ABC Family]] sitcom ''[[Baby Daddy]]'', as a fictional version of herself who hosts a morning show ''The Mary Hart Show'' and is the boss of [[Tahj Mowry]]'s character Tucker Dobbs.


On October 29, 2015, Hart made a guest appearance on ''ET'', being interviewed by then-current host [[Nancy O'Dell]]; her appearance was meant to kick off a month-long celebration of the program's 35th season.<ref name=variety-hartreturns>{{cite web|title=Mary Hart Returns to ‘Entertainment Tonight’ for 35th Anniversary|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/entertainment-tonight-mary-hart-35-anniversary-1201629385/|website=Variety|accessdate=30 October 2015}}</ref>
On October 29, 2015, Hart made a guest appearance on ''ET'', being interviewed by then-current host [[Nancy O'Dell]]; her appearance was meant to kick off a month-long celebration of the program's 35th season.<ref name=variety-hartreturns>{{cite web|title=Mary Hart Returns to 'Entertainment Tonight' for 35th Anniversary|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/entertainment-tonight-mary-hart-35-anniversary-1201629385/|website=Variety|date=29 October 2015|access-date=30 October 2015}}</ref>


Hart was Master of Ceremonies at the July 4th celebration at Mt. Rushmore on July 3, 2020. In her remarks, she said, "I remember well the tumultuousness, the tumult, the tragedy, but ultimately the triumph of the sixties. I was growing up then, and those were not easy times – for those of you who happen to be old enough like I am, to remember – but you know what, that was a terrible decade, but we turned out to be a better nation."<ref>{{cite web|title=FULL: President Trump South Dakota’s 2020 Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebrations|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf78ypVI7KU|website=YouTube|accessdate=4 July 2020}}</ref>
Hart was Master of Ceremonies at the [[Independence Day (United States)|July 4th]] celebration at [[Mount Rushmore]] on July 3, 2020. In her remarks, she said, "I remember well the tumultuousness, the tumult, the tragedy, but ultimately the triumph of the sixties. I was growing up then, and those were not easy times – for those of you who happen to be old enough like I am, to remember – but you know what, that was a terrible decade, but we turned out to be a better nation."<ref>{{cite web|title=FULL: President Trump South Dakota's 2020 Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebrations|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf78ypVI7KU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/Uf78ypVI7KU| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|website=YouTube|access-date=4 July 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Hart resided in the [[Trousdale Estates]] neighborhood of [[Beverly Hills, California]], with her film producer husband, [[Burt Sugarman]].<ref>[http://losangeles.blockshopper.com/property/4391016002/400_trousdale 400 Trousdale Place, Beverly Hills, California 90210 | Los Angeles]</ref> before moving to a condo in the [[L.A. Live#Hotels and residences|Ritz-Carlton Residences]] at [[L.A. Live]] in [[downtown Los Angeles]]<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/02/home/la-hm-hotprop-mary-hart-20110802 Mary Hart, Burt Sugarman buy unit at Ritz-Carlton Residences - Los Angeles Times]</ref><ref>[http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/07/aeg_execs_mary_hart_among_32_buyers_at_the_ritzcarlton.php AEG Execs, Mary Hart Among 32 Buyers at the Ritz-Carlton - Development Update-o-Rama - Curbed LA]</ref> and later, to [[Sierra Towers]] in 2015. They married in a private ceremony aboard a yacht in 1989<ref>{{cite news|title=Mary Hart weds |last=Associated Press| date=1980-04-12|publisher=Lexington Dispatch|page=2}}</ref> and have one son, Alec "AJ" Sugarman (born 1991), who is a special assistant to Trump for legislative affairs.
Hart resided in the [[Trousdale Estates]] neighborhood of [[Beverly Hills, California]], with her film producer husband, [[Burt Sugarman]].<ref>[http://losangeles.blockshopper.com/property/4391016002/400_trousdale 400 Trousdale Place, Beverly Hills, California 90210 | Los Angeles]</ref> before moving to a condo in the [[L.A. Live#Hotels and residences|Ritz-Carlton Residences]] at [[L.A. Live]] in [[downtown Los Angeles]]<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/02/home/la-hm-hotprop-mary-hart-20110802 Mary Hart, Burt Sugarman buy unit at Ritz-Carlton Residences - Los Angeles Times]</ref><ref>[http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/07/aeg_execs_mary_hart_among_32_buyers_at_the_ritzcarlton.php AEG Execs, Mary Hart Among 32 Buyers at the Ritz-Carlton - Development Update-o-Rama - Curbed LA]</ref> and later, to [[Sierra Towers]] in 2015. They married in a private ceremony aboard a yacht in 1989<ref>{{cite news|title=Mary Hart weds |last=Associated Press| date=1980-04-12|publisher=Lexington Dispatch|page=2}}</ref> and have one son, Alec "AJ" Sugarman (born 1991), who was a special assistant to [[President of the United States|President]] [[Donald Trump]] for legislative affairs.


Hart has [[Conversion to Judaism|converted to Judaism]], her husband's faith.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}}
Hart has [[Conversion to Judaism|converted to Judaism]], her husband's faith.<ref>{{Cite web|last=D'Addario|first=Daniel|date=2012-01-27|title=Some Tips For Drew Barrymore Before She Converts To Judaism|url=https://observer.com/2012/01/some-tips-for-drew-barrymore-before-she-converts-to-judaism/|access-date=2021-03-25|website=Observer}}</ref>


Hart is a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] and supported [[Marco Rubio]] in the [[2016 Republican Party presidential primaries]]. She and Sugarman hosted a fundraiser for Rubio in October 2015.<ref>https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/secret-meetings-big-players-who-833250</ref>
Hart is a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] and supported [[Marco Rubio]] in the [[2016 Republican Party presidential primaries]]. She and Sugarman hosted a fundraiser for Rubio in October 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/secret-meetings-big-players-who-833250|title = Secret Meetings, Big Players: Who Hollywood's Underground GOP Wants for President| website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date = 22 October 2015}}</ref>


She hosted President Trump's Fourth of July celebration in 2020, at which she was accused of making a white power sign. She denied the accusation.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://nbcpalmsprings.com/2020/07/06/mary-hart-denies-making-white-supremacist-gesture-as-locals-call-to-cut-ties/ |title = Mary Hart denies making white supremacist gesture as locals call to cut ties|date = 6 July 2020}}</ref>
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Hart owns two mansions in [[Montana]].<ref name=autogenerated1>[https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324030704578427410648978382 Large Yellowstone Club Montana Ranch Goes on the Market for $26.5 Million—WSJ Private Properties - WSJ.com]</ref> One is a 7,000-square-foot home on 160 acres. Both homes are located within the [[Yellowstone Club]] residential community.<ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref>[http://www.statesman.com/gallery/classifieds/real-estate/photos-inside-mary-harts-265m-montana-ranch/gCHXy/#4532261 Photos: Inside Mary Hart's $26.5M Montana ranch | www.statesman.com]</ref> Since 2000, Hart has also had a home in [[Palm Desert, California]]<ref>Blair, Iain (January 3, 2008). [https://web.archive.org/web/20140610074226/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-173786975.html "Desert home companions: a wide range of industry pros, from stars to stuntmen, have put down roots in P.S."]. ''Daily Variety'': V Plus: Palm Springs International Film Festival. Reed Business Information, Inc. Retrieved January 10, 2013 from [[HighBeam Research]]</ref> where she has supported local charities.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Biller|first=Steven|author2=Kleinschmidt, Janice|title=The Influencers|journal=Palm Springs Life|date=October 2007|url=http://www.palmspringslife.com/Palm-Springs-Life/October-2007/The-Influencers/}}</ref>


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Hart owns two mansions in [[Montana]].<ref name=autogenerated1>[https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324030704578427410648978382 Large Yellowstone Club Montana Ranch Goes on the Market for $26.5 Million—WSJ Private Properties - WSJ.com]</ref> One is a 7,000-square-foot home on 160 acres. Both homes are located within the [[Yellowstone Club]] residential community.<ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref>[http://www.statesman.com/gallery/classifieds/real-estate/photos-inside-mary-harts-265m-montana-ranch/gCHXy/#4532261 Photos: Inside Mary Hart's $26.5M Montana ranch | www.statesman.com]</ref> Since 2000, Hart has also had a home in [[Palm Desert, California]]<ref>Blair, Iain (January 3, 2008). [https://web.archive.org/web/20140610074226/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-173786975.html "Desert home companions: a wide range of industry pros, from stars to stuntmen, have put down roots in P.S."]. ''Daily Variety'': V Plus: Palm Springs International Film Festival. Reed Business Information, Inc.</ref> where she has supported local charities.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Biller|first=Steven|author2=Kleinschmidt, Janice|title=The Influencers|journal=Palm Springs Life|date=October 2007|url=http://www.palmspringslife.com/Palm-Springs-Life/October-2007/The-Influencers/}}</ref>
⚫
She is a fan of the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] and has performed the national anthem prior to games on several occasions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stars grabbing the attention at playoff games | date=2009-10-19|publisher=Yuma Sun}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mary Hart adds showgirl to resume |last=Associated Press| date=1988-06-01|publisher=Lakeland Ledger|page=1C}}</ref> She can often be seen, from the centerfield camera, behind home plate at [[Dodger Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.943thedrive.ca/2017/11/01/a-photo-guide-to-world-series-celebrity-dodger-fan-watching/|title=A photo guide to World Series celebrity Dodger fan watching.|first=Kelly|last=Parker|date=November 1, 2017|accessdate=October 28, 2018|work=[[WDKF|The Drive]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/mary-hart-does-her-best-impression-of-craig-kimbrel/c-299777556|title=Celebrity host Mary Hart did a spot-on impression of Craig Kimbrel in Game 3|work=MLB.com|first=Jessica|last=Kleinschmidt|date=October 27, 2018|accessdate=October 28, 2018}}</ref>


⚫
She is a fan of the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] and has performed the national anthem prior to games on several occasions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Stars grabbing the attention at playoff games | date=2009-10-19|publisher=Yuma Sun}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mary Hart adds showgirl to resume |last=Associated Press| date=1988-06-01|publisher=Lakeland Ledger|page=1C}}</ref> She can often be seen, from the centerfield camera, behind home plate at [[Dodger Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.943thedrive.ca/2017/11/01/a-photo-guide-to-world-series-celebrity-dodger-fan-watching/|title=A photo guide to World Series celebrity Dodger fan watching.|first=Kelly|last=Parker|date=November 1, 2017|access-date=October 28, 2018|work=[[WDKF|The Drive]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/mary-hart-does-her-best-impression-of-craig-kimbrel/c-299777556|title=Celebrity host Mary Hart did a spot-on impression of Craig Kimbrel in Game 3|work=MLB.com|first=Jessica|last=Kleinschmidt|date=October 27, 2018|access-date=October 28, 2018}}</ref>
⚫
On August 17, 2011, Hart was announced as the official spokeswoman for Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Initiative.<ref>[http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11391&Itemid=57 KDLT.com South Dakota News - Sanford Unveils New Breast Cancer Initiative]</ref>

⚫
On August 17, 2011, Hart was announced as the official spokeswoman for the Edith Sanford [[Breast Cancer]] Initiative.<ref>[http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11391&Itemid=57 KDLT.com South Dakota News - Sanford Unveils New Breast Cancer Initiative]</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:American television personalities]]
[[Category:Television personalities from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:American women television personalities]]
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[[Category:American women journalists]]
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[[Category:21st-century American women]]

Latest revision as of 20:24, 19 May 2024

For other people named Mary Hart, see Mary Hart (disambiguation).
Mary Hart
Hart modeling for The Heart Truth charity fashion show in 2008
Born
Mary Johanna Harum

(1950-11-08) November 8, 1950 (age 73)
Madison, South Dakota, U.S.[1]
Occupation(s)Television personality, talk show host
Years active1972–present
TitleMiss South Dakota 1970
Semi-finalist Miss America 1971
Spouses
Terry Hart
​
​
(m. 1972; div. 1979)​
​
​
(m. 1989)​
Children1

Mary Hart (born Mary Johanna Harum; November 8, 1950[1]) is an American television personality. She was the host (1982–2011) of the syndicated gossip and entertainment round-up television program Entertainment Tonight.[2] She was Miss South Dakota 1970.

Early life[edit]

Mary Harum was born in Madison, South Dakota.[1] She was raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Denmark.[3] She speaks English, Danish and Swedish fluently.

She graduated from Augustana Academy in 1968[4] and from Augustana College in Sioux Falls in 1972.[5]

Career[edit]

She was crowned Miss South Dakota 1970 and subsequently was a semi-finalist in the Miss America 1971 pageant.[6]

While teaching English at Washington High School for two years,[5] she also produced and anchored her own talk show on then-NBC affiliate KSFY-TV in Sioux Falls.[3]

Hart began her full-time television career in 1975 at WMT-TV (currently KGAN) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, then moving to KMTV in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1976, she went to KTVY (now KFOR-TV) in Oklahoma City, where, with Danny Williams, she co-hosted the show Dannysday. She also was a sales representative for a school yearbook company. Determined to leave journalism behind, she moved to the Los Angeles neighborhood of Westwood in 1979 with $10,000 in the bank.[7] Hart landed a small role on the soap opera Days of Our Lives as well as some TV commercials. Nearly without money, she became a co-host on the Los Angeles version of the syndicated PM Magazine. That led to a job in 1981 as co-host of Regis Philbin's first national talk show on NBC. When that show was canceled four months later, Entertainment Tonight interviewed her about what it felt like to be canceled. The day after the interview, she was hired as one of its correspondents. Thirteen weeks later, she was named the show's co-host, along with Ron Hendren.[8]

In 1984, Hendren was replaced by Robb Weller, who was replaced by John Tesh in 1986, who was replaced by Bob Goen in 1996. Hart began co-hosting ET with Mark Steines in 2004.[7][9] Soon after her hiring by ET, Hart chose Jay Bernstein as her manager.

Hart is known for her shapely legs, leading to an endorsement contract with Hanes for that company's line of pantyhose in 1987. Jay Bernstein had her legs insured with Lloyd's of London for $1 million each.[10][11] Executive Producer Linda Bell Blue described Hart as "the face of ET". On March 29, 1987 she participated in the World Wrestling Federation's WrestleMania III, serving as the guest timekeeper in the main event between Hulk Hogan and André the Giant.[12]

During the summer of 1988, Hart appeared in Las Vegas with comedian David Brenner at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino, which realized another of her childhood dreams, singing and dancing on stage. She continued her work on Entertainment Tonight while performing in Las Vegas, flying between the cities after two shows in Vegas, the last at 11:00PM, to film ET the following morning at 8:00AM.[13] In 1991, the New England Journal of Medicine reported that Hart's voice had triggered seizures in an epileptic woman.[14] This was later referenced in an episode of Tiny Toon Adventures[15] and the NBC sitcom Seinfeld, where Kramer (Michael Richards) suffers from convulsions whenever he hears Hart's voice. Hart has been parodied in Animaniacs in the character Mary Heartless. She voiced the cartoon character Fairy Hart in an episode of The Fairly OddParents and in The Fairly Oddparents TV movie Fairly OddBaby.

Hart at the 81st Academy Awards in February 2009.

In May 2009, Hart suffered a broken left wrist due to an accident at home (not due to any exotic activity, despite her jokes about it).[16] While her wrist was healing, she wore various brightly colored slings designed to match or complement her wardrobe for each show. On August 5, 2010, Hart announced that she was leaving the show at the end of the upcoming 30th season, citing that she was ready for a change.[17] Hart's final episode aired on May 20, 2011—ending her 29-year history with the program.[18]

Between 2014 and 2016, Hart was a recurring character on the ABC Family sitcom Baby Daddy, as a fictional version of herself who hosts a morning show The Mary Hart Show and is the boss of Tahj Mowry's character Tucker Dobbs.

On October 29, 2015, Hart made a guest appearance on ET, being interviewed by then-current host Nancy O'Dell; her appearance was meant to kick off a month-long celebration of the program's 35th season.[19]

Hart was Master of Ceremonies at the July 4th celebration at Mount Rushmore on July 3, 2020. In her remarks, she said, "I remember well the tumultuousness, the tumult, the tragedy, but ultimately the triumph of the sixties. I was growing up then, and those were not easy times – for those of you who happen to be old enough like I am, to remember – but you know what, that was a terrible decade, but we turned out to be a better nation."[20]

Personal life[edit]

Hart resided in the Trousdale Estates neighborhood of Beverly Hills, California, with her film producer husband, Burt Sugarman.[21] before moving to a condo in the Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles[22][23] and later, to Sierra Towers in 2015. They married in a private ceremony aboard a yacht in 1989[24] and have one son, Alec "AJ" Sugarman (born 1991), who was a special assistant to President Donald Trump for legislative affairs.

Hart has converted to Judaism, her husband's faith.[25]

Hart is a Republican and supported Marco Rubio in the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries. She and Sugarman hosted a fundraiser for Rubio in October 2015.[26]

She hosted President Trump's Fourth of July celebration in 2020, at which she was accused of making a white power sign. She denied the accusation.[27]

Hart owns two mansions in Montana.[28] One is a 7,000-square-foot home on 160 acres. Both homes are located within the Yellowstone Club residential community.[28][29] Since 2000, Hart has also had a home in Palm Desert, California[30] where she has supported local charities.[31]

She is a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and has performed the national anthem prior to games on several occasions.[32][33] She can often be seen, from the centerfield camera, behind home plate at Dodger Stadium.[34][35]

On August 17, 2011, Hart was announced as the official spokeswoman for the Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Initiative.[36]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Riggs, Thomas (2002). Contemporary theatre, film, and television. Gale Cengage. p. 90. ISBN 978-0-7876-6360-5.
  2. ^ "Entertainment Tonight". CBS. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
  3. ^ a b N.E.A. (1984-06-01). "Hart goes from beauty queen to TV screen". Gadsden Times. p. B2.
  4. ^ "Mary Hart Biography". IMDb.com.
  5. ^ a b "In the News: Alumna Mary Hart Signs Off From 'Entertainment Tonight'". augie.edu. Augustana College. May 2011.
  6. ^ "The original 'E.T.' has found its way to rating success". The Miami News. 1983-03-11. p. 7A.
  7. ^ a b "Famous for watching the famous". Toledo Blade. New York Times News Service. 2002-07-14. p. C1–2.
  8. ^ N.E.A. (1984-06-14). "Beauty queen finds success on TV screen". Bowling Green Daily News. p. 5B.
  9. ^ Benson, Jim (2006-10-08). "Mary Hart Re-Ups at ET". Broadcastingcable.com. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
  10. ^ "Mary Hart to wed producer". Chicago Sun-Times. February 16, 1989.
  11. ^ Brioux, Bill (2008). Truth and Rumors. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 161. ISBN 978-0-275-99247-7. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Silverdome shudders as 93,173 spectators watch Hulk Hogan win". Lakeland Ledger. March 30, 1987. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  13. ^ Associated Press (1988-06-01). "'Entertainment Tonight' hostess becomes showgirl". Kentucky New Era. p. 9B.
  14. ^ "Kill Your Television!". The AFU & Urban Legends Archive. Archived from the original on July 28, 2013.
  15. ^ "THE HUGE PAGE OF TINY TOONS/ANIMANIACS FACTS, VERSION 2.0". Platypuscomix.net. 1992-06-08. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
  16. ^ "Mary Hart Broken Wrist". Archived from the original on 2021-11-17 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ DiNunno, Gina (2010-08-05). "Mary Hart Exiting Entertainment Tonight". tvguide.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  18. ^ Barnes, Brooks (19 May 2011). "After Hart, a Deluge of Meaner Celebrity TV?". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  19. ^ "Mary Hart Returns to 'Entertainment Tonight' for 35th Anniversary". Variety. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  20. ^ "FULL: President Trump South Dakota's 2020 Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebrations". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  21. ^ 400 Trousdale Place, Beverly Hills, California 90210 | Los Angeles
  22. ^ Mary Hart, Burt Sugarman buy unit at Ritz-Carlton Residences - Los Angeles Times
  23. ^ AEG Execs, Mary Hart Among 32 Buyers at the Ritz-Carlton - Development Update-o-Rama - Curbed LA
  24. ^ Associated Press (1980-04-12). "Mary Hart weds". Lexington Dispatch. p. 2.
  25. ^ D'Addario, Daniel (2012-01-27). "Some Tips For Drew Barrymore Before She Converts To Judaism". Observer. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  26. ^ "Secret Meetings, Big Players: Who Hollywood's Underground GOP Wants for President". The Hollywood Reporter. 22 October 2015.
  27. ^ "Mary Hart denies making white supremacist gesture as locals call to cut ties". 6 July 2020.
  28. ^ a b Large Yellowstone Club Montana Ranch Goes on the Market for $26.5 Million—WSJ Private Properties - WSJ.com
  29. ^ Photos: Inside Mary Hart's $26.5M Montana ranch | www.statesman.com
  30. ^ Blair, Iain (January 3, 2008). "Desert home companions: a wide range of industry pros, from stars to stuntmen, have put down roots in P.S.". Daily Variety: V Plus: Palm Springs International Film Festival. Reed Business Information, Inc.
  31. ^ Biller, Steven; Kleinschmidt, Janice (October 2007). "The Influencers". Palm Springs Life.
  32. ^ "Stars grabbing the attention at playoff games". Yuma Sun. 2009-10-19.
  33. ^ Associated Press (1988-06-01). "Mary Hart adds showgirl to resume". Lakeland Ledger. p. 1C.
  34. ^ Parker, Kelly (November 1, 2017). "A photo guide to World Series celebrity Dodger fan watching". The Drive. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  35. ^ Kleinschmidt, Jessica (October 27, 2018). "Celebrity host Mary Hart did a spot-on impression of Craig Kimbrel in Game 3". MLB.com. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  36. ^ KDLT.com South Dakota News - Sanford Unveils New Breast Cancer Initiative

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mary Hart.
Preceded by Co-host of Entertainment Tonight
1982–2011 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mary_Hart&oldid=1224680208"