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Mary Hart
View on WikipediaMary 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.
Key Information
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.

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 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, 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 divorced her first husband, Terry Hart, in the 1970s, but kept his surname.[21] In 1989 she married film producer Burt Sugarman in a private ceremony aboard a yacht.[22] They resided in the Trousdale Estates neighborhood of Beverly Hills, California[23] before moving to a condo in the Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles;[24][25] in 2015 they moved to Sierra Towers. They have a son, Alec "AJ" Sugarman (born 1991), who was a special assistant to President Donald Trump for legislative affairs.
Hart converted to Judaism, her second husband's faith.[26]
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.[27]
In 2020, Hart hosted the Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebration at which Trump and South Dakota governor Kristi Noem appeared. Hart was accused of making a white power sign. She denied the accusation.[28]
Hart owns two mansions in Montana.[29] One is a 7,000-square-foot home on 160 acres. Both are within the Yellowstone Club residential community.[29][30] Since 2000, Hart has also had a home in Palm Desert, California,[31] where she has supported local charities.[32]
Hart is a Los Angeles Dodgers fan and has performed the national anthem before games several times.[33][34] She can often be seen, from the centerfield camera, behind home plate at Dodger Stadium.[35][36]
On August 17, 2011, Hart was announced as the official spokeswoman for the Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Initiative.[37]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Riggs, Thomas (2002). Contemporary theatre, film, and television. Gale Cengage. p. 90. ISBN 978-0-7876-6360-5.
- ^ "Entertainment Tonight". CBS. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
- ^ a b N.E.A. (1984-06-01). "Hart goes from beauty queen to TV screen". Gadsden Times. p. B2.
- ^ "Mary Hart Biography". IMDb.com.
- ^ a b "In the News: Alumna Mary Hart Signs Off From 'Entertainment Tonight'". augie.edu. Augustana College. May 2011.
- ^ "The original 'E.T.' has found its way to rating success". The Miami News. 1983-03-11. p. 7A.
- ^ a b "Famous for watching the famous". Toledo Blade. New York Times News Service. 2002-07-14. p. C1–2.
- ^ N.E.A. (1984-06-14). "Beauty queen finds success on TV screen". Bowling Green Daily News. p. 5B.
- ^ Benson, Jim (2006-10-08). "Mary Hart Re-Ups at ET". Broadcastingcable.com. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "Mary Hart to wed producer". Chicago Sun-Times. February 16, 1989.
- ^ Brioux, Bill (2008). Truth and Rumors. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 161. ISBN 978-0-275-99247-7. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
- ^ "Silverdome shudders as 93,173 spectators watch Hulk Hogan win". Lakeland Ledger. March 30, 1987. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
- ^ Associated Press (1988-06-01). "'Entertainment Tonight' hostess becomes showgirl". Kentucky New Era. p. 9B.
- ^ "Kill Your Television!". The AFU & Urban Legends Archive. Archived from the original on July 28, 2013.
- ^ "THE HUGE PAGE OF TINY TOONS/ANIMANIACS FACTS, VERSION 2.0". Platypuscomix.net. 1992-06-08. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "Mary Hart Broken Wrist". 3 April 2011. Archived from the original on 2021-11-17 – via YouTube.
- ^ DiNunno, Gina (2010-08-05). "Mary Hart Exiting Entertainment Tonight". tvguide.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
- ^ Barnes, Brooks (19 May 2011). "After Hart, a Deluge of Meaner Celebrity TV?". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ "Mary Hart Returns to 'Entertainment Tonight' for 35th Anniversary". Variety. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ "FULL: President Trump South Dakota's 2020 Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebrations". YouTube. 3 July 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
- ^ "The Day".
- ^ Associated Press (1980-04-12). "Mary Hart weds". Lexington Dispatch. p. 2.
- ^ 400 Trousdale Place, Beverly Hills, California 90210 | Los Angeles
- ^ Mary Hart, Burt Sugarman buy unit at Ritz-Carlton Residences - Los Angeles Times
- ^ AEG Execs, Mary Hart Among 32 Buyers at the Ritz-Carlton - Development Update-o-Rama - Curbed LA
- ^ D'Addario, Daniel (2012-01-27). "Some Tips For Drew Barrymore Before She Converts To Judaism". Observer. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
- ^ "Secret Meetings, Big Players: Who Hollywood's Underground GOP Wants for President". The Hollywood Reporter. 22 October 2015.
- ^ "Mary Hart denies making white supremacist gesture as locals call to cut ties". 6 July 2020.
- ^ a b Large Yellowstone Club Montana Ranch Goes on the Market for $26.5 Million—WSJ Private Properties - WSJ.com
- ^ Photos: Inside Mary Hart's $26.5M Montana ranch | www.statesman.com
- ^ 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.
- ^ Biller, Steven; Kleinschmidt, Janice (October 2007). "The Influencers". Palm Springs Life.
- ^ "Stars grabbing the attention at playoff games". Yuma Sun. 2009-10-19.
- ^ Associated Press (1988-06-01). "Mary Hart adds showgirl to resume". Lakeland Ledger. p. 1C.
- ^ Parker, Kelly (November 1, 2017). "A photo guide to World Series celebrity Dodger fan watching". The Drive. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ KDLT.com South Dakota News - Sanford Unveils New Breast Cancer Initiative
External links
[edit]Mary Hart
View on GrokipediaMary Hart (born Mary Johanna Harum; November 8, 1950) is an American television personality recognized primarily for her role as the host of the syndicated entertainment news program Entertainment Tonight from 1982 to 2011.[1][2]
Born in Madison, South Dakota, Hart initially pursued a career in education, teaching high school English before transitioning to broadcasting, where she hosted local programs and competed as Miss South Dakota 1970.[3][4]
Her tenure on Entertainment Tonight spanned nearly three decades, establishing her as the longest-serving host of an entertainment magazine show and earning her induction into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame, as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989.[5][6][1]
Hart's on-air style, characterized by enthusiastic delivery and distinctive leg movements during segment transitions, contributed to her iconic status in celebrity journalism, though she later insured her legs for a reported $1 million each amid public fascination.[7]
Following her retirement from Entertainment Tonight, she has engaged in occasional acting roles, voice work, and public appearances, maintaining a profile shaped by her foundational impact on tabloid-style entertainment reporting.[8][9]
Early Life and Education
Childhood and Family Background
Mary Hart was born Mary Johanna Harum on November 8, 1950, in Madison, South Dakota, to parents Robert Leroy Harum and Dorothy A. Erickson Harum.[4] She was the middle of three children, with an older brother, Michael J. Harum, and a younger sibling.[10] The Harum family, of Danish and Norwegian descent, maintained a middle-class lifestyle shaped by her father's professional pursuits, though specific details on his occupation remain limited in available records.[11] The family relocated frequently during Hart's early years, living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Denmark; and Sweden, which exposed her to Scandinavian culture from a young age.[4] These international moves contributed to her fluency in Danish and Swedish alongside English.[4] Little is documented about her immediate family dynamics or specific childhood experiences beyond these relocations, but the multilingual environment likely influenced her later adaptability in broadcasting.[1]Education and Early Interests
Hart attended Augustana Academy, a preparatory school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, graduating in 1968. She subsequently enrolled at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972.[4][12] During her time at Augustana College, Hart developed an interest in pageantry and public performance, winning the Miss South Dakota title in 1970 and advancing to the top ten in the Miss America competition. This exposure to televised interviews sparked her fascination with broadcasting, as she later recalled enjoying the format's direct engagement with audiences.[3] Post-graduation, while teaching English at Washington High School in Sioux Falls, Hart pursued her emerging media interests by producing and anchoring a local cable talk show on KSFY-TV (an NBC affiliate affiliated with KELOland Television). This dual role highlighted her early drive to combine educational pursuits with on-air entertainment, laying groundwork for her transition to full-time journalism.[1][3][5]Professional Career
Early Journalism and Pageantry
Mary Hart, born Mary Johanna Harum, participated in beauty pageants during her college years at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 1970, she was crowned Miss South Dakota and represented the state at the Miss America pageant, where she placed among the top ten finalists.[1][13] This experience sparked her interest in broadcasting, as Hart later recounted enjoying the national television interviews and realizing she preferred conducting them over being the subject.[14][9] Following her graduation from Augustana College in 1972 with a degree in mathematics, Hart transitioned into television journalism. She began her professional career at KMTV, the CBS affiliate in Omaha, Nebraska, working as a news reporter and anchor.[1] In 1976, she relocated to Oklahoma City, joining KTVY (now KFOR-TV) as co-host of the local program Dannysday alongside regional personality Danny Williams, where she covered lifestyle and entertainment segments.[1][4] These early roles honed her on-camera presence and reporting skills in smaller markets, laying the groundwork for her entry into national entertainment media.[15]Breakthrough with Entertainment Tonight
Mary Hart joined Entertainment Tonight (ET), a pioneering syndicated entertainment newsmagazine that had debuted on September 14, 1981, as a correspondent on June 24, 1982.[16][17] At the time, the program was approximately nine months into its run and seeking to solidify its format amid competition from emerging tabloid-style shows.[18] Hart, who had been unemployed following prior roles in local journalism and pageantry, secured the position the day after her interview, reflecting the show's urgent need for on-air talent with her poised delivery and prior on-camera experience.[5][18] Her entry marked a swift breakthrough, as within weeks—or by some accounts, thirteen weeks—she transitioned from correspondent to co-host, initially pairing with Ron Hendren before later collaborators like Robb Weller.[19][5] This rapid promotion positioned Hart as the program's enduring female lead, contributing to ET's expansion from a modest daily format to a ratings leader that reached over 200 stations by the mid-1980s.[5] Her role involved on-location reporting, celebrity interviews, and studio anchoring, which capitalized on her approachable Midwestern demeanor and ability to navigate the era's blend of Hollywood glamour and gossip-driven content.[16] The timing of Hart's ascent aligned with ET's format refinements under producer Al Masini, emphasizing fast-paced segments on film premieres, television trends, and star scandals, which helped the show achieve syndication dominance.[5] By late 1982, Hart's visibility extended to the weekend edition, where she made her initial hosting appearance, solidifying her as a key figure in popularizing entertainment journalism as accessible prime-time fare.[20] This phase launched her into household-name status, with ET viewership growing to millions weekly and Hart's tenure eventually spanning nearly three decades.[21]Longevity and Key Moments on ET (1982–2011)
Mary Hart joined Entertainment Tonight (ET) as a correspondent in September 1982 and was promoted to co-host within weeks, establishing herself as the program's enduring on-camera presence.[22] Her tenure spanned 29 years until her final broadcast on May 20, 2011, during which she co-anchored alongside several partners, including Rob Weller (1984–1986), John Tesh (1986–1996), Bob Goen (1993–2004), and Mark Steines (2004 onward).[23] This longevity contributed to ET maintaining its position as the top syndicated entertainment news program, averaging 7 million daily viewers and holding the No. 1 rating for nearly 1,300 consecutive weeks by 2007.[22] In recognition of her extended service, Hart received the Guinness World Record for the longest-serving entertainment news host on May 11, 2011, after 28 years and 250 days on air.[24] Her consistent delivery of upbeat, substantiated reporting helped ET set trends for subsequent programs like Extra and Access Hollywood, while fostering trust among high-profile figures reluctant to engage with media.[22] By 2007, marking 25 years on the show, Hart had been inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in 1997, underscoring her role in elevating entertainment journalism's format and reach.[22] Key moments included securing exclusive interviews with reclusive celebrities such as Michael Jackson, as well as sessions with Elizabeth Taylor, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Frank Sinatra, George Burns, and the Obamas.[23][22] Her evolving rapport with Richard Pryor transitioned from challenging early encounters to more positive later ones, exemplifying her adaptability in handling difficult subjects.[22] Additional highlights encompassed coverage of major events like the 9/11 aftermath broadcasts and the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, alongside interviews with Tom Cruise, Christopher Reeve, and Annette Funicello, which highlighted her access to pivotal Hollywood narratives.[23][19][25]Post-ET Ventures and Ongoing Activities
Following her departure from Entertainment Tonight in May 2011, Mary Hart transitioned to selective professional engagements and philanthropy, emphasizing causes related to children's welfare, health, and education. She has supported organizations such as Children's Hospital Los Angeles, the American Heart Association, and the American Stroke Association through endorsements and fundraising efforts.[26] In 2013, Hart and her husband, producer Burt Sugarman, hosted an event at their Beverly Hills home to promote the Classics for Kids Foundation, which provides music education programs to underprivileged children in Southern California.[27] Hart served as the national spokesperson for the Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation, participating in events like the Women's Running Series 5K in San Diego in March 2014 to raise awareness for breast cancer research and prevention.[28] That same year, on January 22, she led a cancer awareness race in San Diego, drawing on personal connections to medical philanthropy developed during her career.[29] She has also been a long-term supporter of the Children's Miracle Network, contributing to hospital funding initiatives.[13] Professionally, Hart made guest appearances, including a return to Entertainment Tonight on October 29, 2015, for the show's 35th anniversary special.[30] She discussed her post-ET pursuits on the Hallmark Channel's Home & Family on February 3, 2015, highlighting ongoing television interests.[31] In 2017, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmy Awards, recognizing her broader contributions to television.[32] As of 2025, Hart maintains a low-profile schedule centered on charity work and personal interests, including frequent attendance at Los Angeles Dodgers games, where she holds premium seats and has auctioned tickets for charitable causes.[33] [34] She occasionally engages in speaking events and interviews, such as a January 6, 2025, discussion with Closer Weekly on celebrity encounters from her career.[35] No major new hosting or producing ventures have been announced, reflecting a deliberate step back from daily media commitments.[36]Personal Life
Marriages and Family
Mary Hart's first marriage was to Terry Hart in 1971; the union ended in divorce in 1979, after which she retained his surname professionally.[37][38] She has no children from this marriage.[39] On April 8, 1989, Hart married television producer Burton Roy "Burt" Sugarman in a private ceremony aboard a yacht.[39][40] The couple welcomed their only child, son Alec Jay Sugarman, on December 24, 1991.[40][41] Alec, also known as A.J., has pursued a career in politics, serving as a special assistant to former President Donald Trump for legislative affairs.[42] As of 2024, Hart and Sugarman remain married and reside primarily in Los Angeles.[43] Hart was born Mary Johanna Harum on November 8, 1950, in Madison, South Dakota, the eldest of three children to Robert Leroy Harum, a Chevrolet dealer, and Dorothy Erickson Harum.[37] Her mother passed away from Alzheimer's disease.[44] Hart has maintained a low public profile regarding extended family details beyond her immediate household.[45]Residences and Personal Interests
Hart and her husband, producer Burt Sugarman, have owned multiple residences in California, including a home in Palm Desert since 2000.[46] In October 2025, they sold their apartment at the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Downtown Los Angeles for $6.3 million, following earlier listings of the property in 2017 at $7.9 million.[47] [48] The couple also previously owned a ranch in Big Sky, Montana, near Yellowstone National Park, which was listed for sale at $19.6 million in 2016 and later at $7.9 million in 2020.[49] [50] Hart's personal interests include philanthropy focused on children's welfare, serving as an ambassador for Childhelp USA and supporting the Children's Miracle Network.[13] [51] She has been involved with the National Childhood Cancer Foundation, including board service.[51] An avid Los Angeles Dodgers fan, she has performed the national anthem at games and commented on team events as recently as October 2025.[42] [52] Hart identifies as an outdoors enthusiast, enjoying activities suited to her Montana property such as hiking and skiing, and maintains a habit of closely following news via radio and television.[53]Controversies and Criticisms
The Voice-Induced Seizure Phenomenon
In 1991, a 30-year-old woman from Michigan experienced epileptic seizures triggered exclusively by the sound of Mary Hart's voice while watching Entertainment Tonight.[54] Neurologist V. Ramani at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit diagnosed the patient after she reported episodes of staring blankly, losing awareness, and exhibiting muscle jerks during Hart's segments, with electroencephalogram (EEG) tests confirming abnormal brain electrical activity only upon playback of Hart's voice recordings.[55] Systematic clinical evaluations ruled out triggers from visual stimuli, emotional content, music, or other voices, including those of Entertainment Tonight co-hosts or similar female speakers, isolating the response to Hart's specific vocal timbre and cadence.[56] The case exemplified a rare form of reflex epilepsy known as phonogenic epilepsy, where auditory stimuli provoke seizures in predisposed individuals, though the precise mechanism linking Hart's voice—described as high-pitched and rapid—to the patient's temporal lobe discharges remained unexplained.[57] Ramani noted the patient had a prior history of mild epilepsy, suggesting her condition rendered her susceptible to this idiosyncratic trigger, but emphasized that such voice-specific reactions were unprecedented in medical literature at the time.[58] Post-diagnosis, the woman avoided Entertainment Tonight broadcasts, though incidental exposure via radio or television previews occasionally induced minor episodes until anticonvulsant adjustments mitigated the risk.[54] Public reports of the incident amplified media interest, leading to broader discussions on reflex epilepsies, but no additional cases directly attributing seizures to Hart's voice were documented in subsequent medical records or studies.[55] The phenomenon underscored the variability of epileptic triggers, with Hart herself expressing concern but no involvement in the patient's treatment; Ramani clarified that the reaction stemmed from the patient's neurological vulnerability rather than any inherent property of Hart's voice affecting the general population.[56]Critiques of Entertainment Reporting Style
Critics have frequently characterized Mary Hart's hosting style on Entertainment Tonight as emblematic of superficial entertainment journalism, prioritizing celebrity gossip and visual appeal over substantive analysis. In a 1984 Washington Post profile, Hart addressed accusations of shallowness by noting the show's limited in-depth coverage of serious incidents, such as the Twilight Zone film accident, where it opted for brief summaries rather than investigative reporting.[59] This approach aligned with the program's tabloid format, which emphasized quick-hit stories on Hollywood scandals and red-carpet events, often at the expense of contextual depth or critical scrutiny.[60] A recurring complaint centered on Hart's perceived "gushy, gauzy" delivery, which some viewed as overly deferential to celebrities and disconnected from evolving journalistic standards. A 2010 Hollywood Reporter article highlighted this as a point of criticism, positioning Hart's effusive tone—marked by enthusiastic narration and polished segments—as outdated amid a shift toward edgier, more adversarial coverage in competitors like TMZ.[61] Hart herself acknowledged the persistent backlash in a Variety interview, stating that Entertainment Tonight had faced detractors since its inception for its lighthearted, fan-oriented style, which she defended as meeting audience demand for accessible entertainment news.[62] Instances of factual errors further fueled critiques of reliability in the show's style under Hart's tenure. In 2008, Entertainment Tonight aired a report claiming Angelina Jolie had given birth to twins, despite her publicist's explicit denial, prompting accusations of prioritizing speed and sensationalism over verification—a hallmark of gossip-driven reporting.[63] Such lapses underscored broader concerns that the format, with Hart as its affable face, fostered a culture of unchecked hype rather than rigorous fact-checking, contributing to perceptions of entertainment journalism as entertainment itself rather than news.[64]Reception and Legacy
Awards, Honors, and Professional Achievements
Mary Hart was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 44th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on April 30, 2017, in recognition of her 29-year tenure as co-host of Entertainment Tonight (ET) from 1982 to 2011 and her broader contributions to daytime television.[65][66] This non-competitive honor highlighted her role in shaping entertainment journalism, including conducting thousands of celebrity interviews and maintaining ET's status as a leading syndicated program.[67] Earlier in her career, Hart received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1988 for her work on Entertainment Tonight, underscoring her on-air performance during the show's formative years.[68] She also earned the Entertainment Industries Foundation's Star of the Year Award, acknowledging her prominence in the industry while hosting ET.[67] Hart's professional accolades extend to induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, celebrating her three-decade influence on broadcast journalism.[6] She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, commemorating her transition from beauty pageants to television stardom.[1] Key early achievements include her crowning as Miss South Dakota in 1970, followed by a top-10 finish at the Miss America 1971 pageant, which provided initial visibility and opportunities in media.[1]| Year | Award/Honor | Issuing Body | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Miss South Dakota | Miss America Organization | Won state title; advanced to national competition.[1] |
| 1971 | Top 10 Finalist, Miss America | Miss America Organization | Competed as Miss South Dakota.[1] |
| 1988 | Daytime Emmy Nomination | National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences | For hosting Entertainment Tonight.[68] |
| Undated (during ET tenure) | Star of the Year Award | Entertainment Industries Foundation | Recognized industry impact.[67] |
| Undated | Hollywood Walk of Fame Star | Hollywood Chamber of Commerce | For television contributions.[1] |
| Undated | Induction | Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame | For 30-year ET run.[6] |
| 2017 | Lifetime Achievement Award | National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences | At 44th Daytime Emmys for daytime TV dedication.[65] |
