Mary Hart (born November 8, 1950) is an American television personality and a long-time host of the syndicated gossip and entertainment round-up program Entertainment Tonight. She has been an anchor, or "hostess," of that program since its debut in 1982.
Hart was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and lived there and in Denmark and Sweden as a child and teenager. She competed in the Miss America pageant in 1970 as Miss South Dakota, and finished in the top ten. Two years later, Hart graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls.
In 1991, the New England Journal of Medicine reported that Hart's voice, perhaps best described as perky, had triggered seizures in an epileptic woman. This was later referenced in an episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld, where Kramer (Michael Richards) suffers from convulsions whenever he hears Hart's voice.
Ms. Hart is perhaps best known for her shapely legs, leading to an endorsement contract with Hanes Hosiery for their line of pantyhose in 1987. She has never worked barelegged while hosting Entertainment Tonight.
Hart is a convert to Judaism.
Preceded by:
Dixie Whatley with Ron Hendren
Host of Entertainment Tonight with Ron Hendren from 1982 to 1984, Robb Weller from 1984 to 1986, John Tesh from 1986 to 1996, Bob Goen from 1996 to 2004, and Mark Steines from 2004 to present
1982–present
Succeeded by:
incumbent
