Mary Hart: From Small-Town Girl to Entertainment Tonight Icon – The Star with $2 Million Legs
When you think of entertainment news, one name sparkles brighter than all the rest: Mary Hart.
For three decades, she’s graced our screens with her warmth, charm, and that iconic voice that made Entertainment Tonight must-watch TV. Today, we learn more about this incredible woman’s story.
Who Is the Legendary Mary Hart?
Born Mary Johanna Harum in South Dakota, she wasn’t always rubbing shoulders with the stars. You’ll be surprised to learn she spent part of her childhood in Denmark and Sweden, becoming fluent in both languages.
Starting as Miss South Dakota in 1970, she taught English while hosting a local cable show. With just $10,000 in her pocket, she took a leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles in 1979.
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Fun fact: Before landing her dream job at ET, she had a brief stint on the popular sitcom show, Days of Our Lives.
What Is Mary Hart Best Known For?
If you’ve ever tuned into ET between 1982 and 2011, you know exactly why I’m calling Mary Hart a legend.
For 30 years, she brought Hollywood into our living rooms, interviewing everyone from George Clooney to Michael Jackson. And here’s something wild: her voice became so famous, that it even got its own Seinfeld episode where it triggered Kramer’s seizures!
Image source: Variety
Mary Hart is known for reporting on celebrities and politicians such as Presidents Bush and Obama, Leonardo DiCaprio, Elizabeth Taylor, living members of The Beatles, and Michael Jackson.
You might not know this, but Mary’s legs became almost as famous as her reporting. In fact, Hanes loved them so much that they signed her for a pantyhose campaign in 1987. Her manager went the extra mile and had each leg insured for a cool million dollars.
Mary Hart’s Achievements
From 1984 to 1989, she hosted the Rose Parade and the Outstanding Special Class Program. In 1988, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for these two works.
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Mary became a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1989.
2003, Mary was honored with the Gracie Allen Award from American Women in Radio & Television (AWRT).
In 2017, Mary was awarded the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award for her work and dedication to daytime television programs.
Does Mary Hart Have a Family?
Mary’s personal life is all about second chances. Her first husband is Terry Hart. Hart also worked in the television industry, and they got married in 1972. But they divorced six years later, and we don’t know the reason.
After her first marriage to Terry Hart ended in 1979, she found lasting love with TV producer Burt Sugarman in 1989. Together, they welcomed their son, Alec “AJ” Sugarman, in 1991. The duo is still happily married today!
Image source: Google
What Is Mary Hart’s Net Worth?
At the peak of her ET career in 2001, Mary was earning $5 million per year. She currently has an impressive net worth of $100 million.
When you consider her three-decade run as the face of entertainment news, plus those lucrative endorsement deals you can see why she’s been so successful.
Final Words
Mary Hart, a legendary entertainment host, hosted Entertainment Tonight for 30 years, interviewing Hollywood’s biggest stars. She’s known for her iconic voice, insured legs, and awards, with a net worth of $100 million.
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