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Jonathan Meath
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Jonathan Meath (born September 16, 1955) is an American television producer and director.[5][6] He was senior producer of the television game show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?[7] He also was a producer of The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss[6][8] and the 1990s' remake of Zoom.[9][10] In addition, he is notable for having a dual career as a professional Santa Claus. He made numerous appearances in various media as Santa, including on Good Morning America,[11] at Radio City Music Hall with The Rockettes,[11][12][13] on the cover of Boston Magazine, and on a Delta Air Lines' pre-flight safety demonstration.[14] He was described by National Public Radio[15][16] and Time as a "top Santa".[14]
Key Information
Television career
[edit]Meath attended Phillips Academy and graduated in 1974 with the school's first co–educational class.[8] He graduated from New York University in 1979. During the 1980s Meath worked at CBS, Business Times, The Creative Establishment, MTV Networks and Greenwood Productions in various capacities.[citation needed] During 1996–1998, he produced shows for the Jim Henson Company called The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss. He produced for PBS 295 half-hour episodes of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, as well as 80 episodes of Zoom.
Career
[edit]Meath, whose beard and hair went white early in life,[17] noticed that children sometimes called him "Santa". He is slightly overweight — he has described himself as an "organic Santa"[11] — and his wife bought him a red suit.[13] He attended schools to learn the craft of being a Santa.[11][18] He appeared in parades.[19] He is a professional vocalist.[12] In 2012, he appeared as Santa at Radio City Music Hall for the Christmas Spectacular show in New York City.[11][14] Meath uses his real beard but conditions it with a "shimmer-like shampoo known as Cowboy Magic, and uses hair gel for his mustache.[20] His role as Santa was described in numerous publications.[12][16][17] In 2009, he appeared in a thirty-second television commercial spot for the Boston Red Sox baseball team.[14]
Personal life
[edit]Meath has one child and lives in Newburyport, Massachusetts. His mother was activist and historian Mary Stewart Hewitt.[21] He is the great great grandson of businessman and sportsman John Malcolm Forbes and the great great great grandson of railroad industrialist John Murray Forbes.[21] Through this, Meath is distantly related to John Kerry. Meath's daughter, Amelia Randall Meath, is a member of the bands Mountain Man[22] and Sylvan Esso.
Awards
[edit]| Year | Result | Award | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Won | Carnegie Medal | Excellence in children's videos | FableVision's The Dot[2][23] |
| Nominated | Daytime Emmy | Outstanding Pre-School Children's Series | Paz[24] | |
| 2001 | Nominated | Outstanding Children's Series | Zoom[25] | |
| 2000 | Nominated | Zoom[26] | ||
| 1997 | Nominated | Emmy | Outstanding Children's Program | The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss[1][25] |
| 1996 | Nominated | Daytime Emmy | Outstanding Children's Series | Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?[25] |
| 1993 | Won | George Foster Peabody Award | Excellence for overall show | Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Jonathan Meath". Primetime Emmy Award Database. 1997. Archived from the original on 2015-11-27. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
- ^ a b "Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video winners, 1991 to present". Association for Library Service for Children. 2005. Archived from the original on 2010-12-06. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ "Awards for Jonathan G. Meath". IMDb Internet Movie Database. 2001. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ Jonathan Meath (2010-11-13). "Jonathan Meath". MeathMedia. Archived from the original on 2010-10-30. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ "Famous Folks from Cambridge". The Boston Globe and Boston.com. 26 March 2012. Archived from the original on June 13, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ a b Liam Murphy (2009-10-23). "Jonathan Meath '74 Pursued Children's Television Production After Cultivating His Interests at PA" (PDF). Phillips Academy. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ "Carmen Sandiego's Great Chase Through Time". allgame. 2010-11-13. Archived from the original on 2014-11-15. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ a b Liam Murphy (October 26, 2009). "Jonathan Meath '74 Pursued Children's Television Production After Cultivating His Interests at PA". The Philippian. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ "Jonathan Meath". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ "Jonathan Meath". Yahoo! TV. 2010-11-13. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ a b c d e Alex E. Weaver (December 7, 2012). "'The Harvard of Santa Schools': Tracking Kris Kringle to the Classroom". BostInno. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
- ^ a b c Rich Whittle (December 12, 2007). "Swingin' Santa Finds Singing's Big Business". Boston Herald. Archived from the original on 2010-12-23. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ a b Mary Ann Georgantopoulos (December 23, 2007). "Miracle on Mass. Ave.: City Santa takes suit seriously". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ a b c d Olivia B. Waxman, Dec. 09, 2013, Time Magazine, These Are the 11 Best Santas in the U.S. – And where to find them Archived 2024-11-06 at the Wayback Machine, Accessed Dec. 10, 2013
- ^ Win Rosenfeld (December 25, 2007). "America's Next Top Santa". National Public Radio. Archived from the original on 2013-12-25. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ a b "Santa in town for May Day parade". Seacoastonline.com. April 24, 2008. Archived from the original on 2012-09-27. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ a b "Why Should We Believe in Santa?". 2011-10-12. Archived from the original on 2017-10-17. Retrieved 2017-10-17.
- ^ Santa Glen, secretary (October 2010). "Minutes of meeting". San Diego Chapter of F.O.R.B.S. Archived from the original on 2010-10-22. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ Edward B. Colby (December 3, 2009). "Town in the spirit: Dedham Square to be filled with song, shopping". Dedham Transcript. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ Billy Baker (December 11, 2012). "Real or fake beards? Santas split hairs". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on December 15, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
- ^ a b "Mary Stewart Hewitt". Monadnock Ledger-Transcript. January 10, 2010. Archived from the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
- ^ Lester, Paul (2010-06-07). "New Band of the Week: Mountain Man". The Guardian.
- ^ "FableVision Recognized as 2005 Carnegie Medal Co-Recipient". FableVision Fable Flash. 2005. Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
- ^ "32nd ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS". NATIONAL TELEVISION ACADEMY. March 2, 2005. Archived from the original on November 22, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
- ^ a b c "Outstanding Children's Series". Internet Movie Database. 2001. Archived from the original on 2023-04-08. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
- ^ "Outstanding Children's Series". Internet Movie Database. 2000. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
External links
[edit]Jonathan Meath
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and education
Early life
Jonathan Meath was born on September 16, 1955, in Baltimore, Maryland.[6] He attended the Friends School of Baltimore through the fourth grade. His mother, Mary Stewart Hewitt (1926–2010), was an environmental activist and conservation advocate in Harrisville and Chesham, New Hampshire, as well as a dedicated historian who served for 30 years as the pioneer archivist for Historic Harrisville, Inc., compiling extensive research on the town's history, architecture, and prominent families to support National Register of Historic Places designations.[7] Meath spent his early childhood in Baltimore before his family relocated to New Hampshire.Education
Meath attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, where he was part of the school's inaugural co-educational class and graduated in 1974.[5] Following high school, he enrolled at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, pursuing studies in film and television production.[8] He completed his undergraduate degree there in 1979.[8]Professional career
Early television roles
Following his graduation from New York University in 1979 with a degree in film and television, Jonathan Meath entered the television industry as an assistant director during the early 1980s. His initial roles included hands-on production work at major networks and production companies, where he supported on-set operations and content development across various formats.[8][6] Meath served as an assistant director for CBS, contributing to diverse television projects that honed his skills in managing production logistics and coordinating teams under tight deadlines. He also worked in similar capacities at Procter & Gamble productions, focusing on corporate-sponsored content that emphasized precise execution and audience engagement strategies. Additionally, his time at MTV Networks involved assistant directing music videos and early programming, providing exposure to fast-paced creative environments and innovative visual storytelling techniques. These experiences built foundational expertise in on-set management and collaborative content creation.[8][6] By mid-decade, Meath's career progressed toward more senior responsibilities; in October 1984, he joined Business Times in New York as an associate producer on the Management Report segment, transitioning from assistant duties to overseeing production elements and contributing to business-oriented content development.[9] This role marked a key step in his advancement, allowing him to apply acquired skills in directing segments and fostering creative input within structured television workflows. Throughout the 1980s, these positions collectively equipped Meath with versatile abilities in production oversight and idea generation, setting the stage for future leadership in the industry.[8]Children's programming productions
Jonathan Meath played a pivotal role in children's educational television during the 1990s and 2000s, serving as senior producer for the PBS game show Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, which aired from 1991 to 1995 across five seasons and 295 episodes. In this capacity, Meath oversaw production logistics and ensured the integration of educational content focused on geography, history, and cultural awareness, engaging young viewers through interactive challenges and trivia that encouraged global exploration.[10] Meath continued his contributions as a producer for The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, a puppet-based series that ran from 1996 to 1998 on ABC and PBS, adapting Dr. Seuss's stories to promote literacy and imaginative storytelling through vibrant characters and episodic narratives. He later produced 80 episodes of the interactive series Zoom on PBS from 1999 to 2005, emphasizing children's direct involvement in skits, games, and creative segments to foster collaboration and self-expression among young audiences.[11] In addition to these series, Meath worked as a producer on Paz, an animated program for Discovery Kids that aired in the early 2000s, drawing from Mary Murphy's books to explore themes of friendship and adventure in a penguin's world. He also contributed to FableVision's 2004 animated short The Dot, based on Peter H. Reynolds's book, which inspired creativity by depicting a young girl's journey from self-doubt to artistic confidence. Through these productions, Meath helped advance educational television by embedding geography, literacy, and creative skills into engaging formats that reached millions of children.[12]Santa Claus performances
Jonathan Meath transitioned into professional Santa Claus performances in 2007, capitalizing on his naturally white beard—grown since age 23—and robust physique that mirrored the traditional depiction of Saint Nicholas. His prior experience as a children's television producer equipped him with essential on-camera presence and audience engagement skills for the role. Early gigs included singing performances as Santa, such as a 2007 swing music event in Massachusetts, marking his entry into year-round holiday character work. Meath's high-profile appearances soon followed, including multiple segments on ABC's Good Morning America, two seasons as the lobby Santa at New York's Radio City Music Hall beginning in 2012 alongside the Rockettes, and a featured role in Delta Air Lines' in-flight holiday safety video. In 2016, he became Coca-Cola's official Santa, appearing in the brand's global advertising campaigns across television, print, and online platforms reaching over 120 countries, which solidified his status as a premier portrayer of the character.[2] Recognized as a leading professional Santa, Meath was named "America's Next Top Santa" by National Public Radio in 2007 and included in Time magazine's 2013 list of the 11 best Santas in the United States. He secures bookings throughout the year for events at malls, hospitals, corporate functions, and private gatherings, often through specialized talent representation. With the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Meath expanded into virtual performances to maintain connections with families worldwide, including Hawaii-based virtual visits highlighted in a contemporary podcast discussion of his evolving career. Central to his portrayal is an emphasis on authenticity—eschewing artificial enhancements for his genuine beard and custom-tailored suits—paired with attentive, child-centered interactions that prioritize listening, encouragement, and adaptive warmth to foster joy without judgment.Personal life
Family
Jonathan Meath has one child, a daughter named Amelia Randall Meath, born on July 2, 1988.[13][14] Amelia is a musician, songwriter, and producer best known as a member of the indie pop duo Sylvan Esso and the folk trio Mountain Man.[13] Meath's marital status is private, though public records and interviews from the early 2000s indicate he was married at that time.[6] No recent information on current partnerships is publicly available. As of 2025, Meath primarily resides in the Boston area, Massachusetts, though he has historical ties to Newburyport.[15][16] Amelia's career in music production and performance echoes her father's creative pursuits in television, highlighting an ongoing family legacy of artistic expression in entertainment.[13]Ancestry and heritage
Jonathan Meath is the great-great-grandson of John Malcolm Forbes (1847–1904), a prominent 19th-century American businessman, yachtsman, and equestrian from Boston's elite Brahmin circles, who competed in America's Cup yacht races and bred champion horses.[17] Through this lineage, Meath traces his ancestry to the influential Forbes merchant family, which amassed wealth in the China trade during the early 1800s.[18] Meath is also the great-great-great-grandson of John Murray Forbes (1813–1898), a pioneering railroad financier, abolitionist, and philanthropist who supported the Union cause during the Civil War and endowed educational institutions such as MIT.[18] This connection places Meath within a multi-generational legacy of business innovation, public service, and social reform in New England.[19] On his maternal side, Meath's mother, Mary Stewart Hewitt (1926–2010), was a dedicated activist and local historian in New Hampshire, where she resided in communities like Harrisville and Peterborough, contributing to preservation efforts and social initiatives in the Monadnock region.[20] Her work in historical documentation and community advocacy reflected a commitment to cultural heritage and civic engagement.[21] Through the Forbes family ties, Meath shares a distant relation with politician John Kerry, whose maternal lineage also descends from John Murray Forbes, linking them via shared 19th-century merchant forebears.[18] This heritage in commerce, philanthropy, and public service has underscored a family tradition influencing pursuits in arts and media.Awards and recognition
Emmy nominations
Jonathan Meath received multiple Emmy nominations for his production work on influential children's television series, recognizing his contributions to educational and engaging content for young audiences.[1] In 1996, he was nominated for Outstanding Children's Series for his role as senior producer on Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, a PBS game show that combined geography education with interactive storytelling.[22][23] The following year, in 1997, Meath earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Children's Program as producer on The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, a Nickelodeon puppet series that brought Dr. Seuss's whimsical tales to life through innovative puppetry and music.[24] Meath's involvement with PBS's Zoom led to consecutive nominations in 2000 and 2001 for Outstanding Children's Series, where he served as senior producer on the rebooted interactive show featuring children demonstrating activities in science, arts, and physical challenges to encourage viewer participation.[25][26]| Year | Category | Show | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Outstanding Children's Series | Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? | Senior Producer |
| 1997 | Outstanding Children's Program (Primetime) | The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss | Producer |
| 2000 | Outstanding Children's Series | Zoom | Senior Producer |
| 2001 | Outstanding Children's Series | Zoom | Senior Producer |