By Sonya Jenkins

Whether it’s her magnetic smile, sparkling personality, beauty-queen looks or her articulate diction, or a combination of all these attributes, Mary Hart, who has been sitting pretty as the co-host of Entertainment Tonight for almost 22 years, strikes a high note with TV audiences around the world. A former Miss Idaho and a finalist in the Miss America Pageant, Hart is a pioneer and icon in entertainment television. It’s not surprising to learn that she often dreamed of stardom while growing up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. But the vivacious Hart always believed in taking care of first things first.

After earning her English degree from Augustana College, Hart taught high school English for three years while pursuing a career in television. As she journeyed to the top, she co-hosted Los Angeles’ local edition of PM Magazine and co-hosted The Regis Philbin Show for NBC. But it was her co-host gig with E.T. that propelled her career to new heights. While at E.T. Hart truly found her niche reporting show biz news and, in the process, boosted the show’s viewership on a yearly basis. Her longevity in entertainment television has given her star power, especially in a business where hosts, anchors and television shows come and go. In fact, Hart’s presence has garnered E.T. the title of being the world’s most watched entertainment newsmagazine.

During my college years, I won out a much-coveted internship at E.T. in Hollywood. Even then, Mary Hart intrigued me. She had a way of lighting up a room, even when she casually walked around the studio offices wearing shorts and a tee shirt. She was very approachable and always looked ravishing. Her spunky voice and positive outlook on life were contagious.

Now, more than 15 years later, I’ve had the opportunity to interview Mary Hart for Season Magazine. While talking by phone with Hart, we immediately began recalling the old E.T. days. Eventually, we settled into the interview, and the following are excerpts from our conversation:

Jenkins: I’m sure the show has gone through many changes since I was an intern there, from the way the news is covered to staff changes. How have you adjusted?
Hart: The big change was when John [Tesh] left the show and Bob [Goen] started co-hosting with me. He just fit right in right from the beginning. That was eight years ago. But we’ve had a lot of changes since then. Right now we have a pretty amazing cast of characters, if I may say so. It’s a colorful cast of characters from our Chris Booker in New York to Maria Menounos to Carlos Ponce, who really is such a terrific guy and fun to work with. We just don’t see enough of him out here, but he covers music and does a lot of interviews for us. And Cojo, Steven Cojocaru, who is such a lovely person to work with. He’s just really a doll. And, of course, Paula Abdul. She was with us most of last year through American Idol. We’re seeing her back on a regular basis. She’s fun to work with too.

Jenkins: And before you were hired by E.T., you worked with Regis Philbin, right?
Hart: I did. Yes, Regis Philbin and I did a talk show on NBC for four months together that was ill-fated. We were both so sad when the show was canceled by NBC. But it worked out best for both of us – one of those twists of fate. When things happen that disappoint you, you just have to trust that something better is around the corner, and it was.

Jenkins: And from what I understand, Entertainment Tonight interviewed you about being canned. Is that correct?
Hart: That’s exactly what happened. They called me up and said, ‘We’re this new show, Entertainment Tonight, and we’d like to talk to you about what it feels like being canceled.’ And I said, ‘Oh, great. Thank you very much.’ They then said, ‘Sure, come on over.’ And the day after that they called and said, ‘You know, we think we have a job over here for you.’ And I wasn’t even sure if I was interested. I went over and checked it out, and here I am, nearly 22 years later.

Jenkins: You have had a stellar career, and you’re an icon in your field. What has been the key to your success and your longevity in the field?
Hart: Still having fun with what I do. And also having kind of a normal life. I can be a real car pool Mom. I can take my son [AJ] to school, and often I’m able to pick him up or go to his football games or baseball games or whatever it is. So this schedule has really allowed me to have a wonderful life and still keep working, which I love to do. It’s about balance.

Jenkins: Balance is so important. What’s the typical day in the life of Mary Hart?
Hart: Usually I’m up around 6:15. I get my son up and ready for school, and then I drop him off. I come into work between 8 and 9. Then I go into hair and makeup. And we take about 45 minutes there — curling the hair and putting on the makeup. I then go upstairs to my office. I will do voice-overs on tape for the show – Bob and I both do that. About 11:15 I’m back down on the stage and we start taping at 11:30, and we tape from approximately 11:30 until two or after. I’m still not finished with the day’s show.

Jenkins: Wow! When I was there, it didn’t take that long.
Hart: Oh, we were finished back then at 12:30. Those days are long gone. It takes quite a while to do it now.

Jenkins: Of course, the news is more up-to-date now.
Hart: Yes, exactly. So we’ll finish the show around 2ish, and then, like last Friday, I went to interview Renee Zelwegger after the show. So, I was finished around 3:30 or 4. But on Saturday I was up bright and early to interview Russell Crowe and then flew in to Las Vegas to spend some time with Michael Jackson. So the days vary a great deal. They vary a whole lot from day to day. It just depends on what I’m doing. A week ago Friday I finished around 2:30, went home, changed clothes, had kind of a late lunch, and then proceeded to drive way out into Semi Valley – an area that’s now burning down – to the set of 24 with Keiffer Sutherland. I didn’t leave there until about 10:30 at night.

Jenkins: How many interviews do you do in a week?
Hart: It varies. Last week it was a lot. It depends on the scheduling. We’re talking about doing some interviews on the set. It makes it very interesting. Last week we had the new Joe Millionaire and the old Joe Millionaire on the set, and I interviewed them right before we did the show. I did a piece with Larry Hagman last Thursday, right after the show. And that makes it easy. But when you go on location, of course it takes more time.

Jenkins: So, how do you wind down once you get home?
Hart: I wash the makeup off, pull the eyelashes off and get into my sweats and play a little catch with my 12-year-old son, who’s a baseball nut. I love to read – love to get on the treadmill. That’s really my wind-down time. My de-stress is my treadmill or my elliptical trainer – I have both. And that’s important. But there is something that I am very involved with now – that I am totally committed to. I am the leadership chair of the new hospital campaign for Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles with Chris Albrecht [CEO & Chairman for Home Box Office] and we’re trying to complete the five hundred million-dollar campaign for the new hospital. That is a cause very near and dear to my heart here in L.A. That’s just a big, overwhelming community project that both of us feel so strongly about. Like last Wednesday, I went straight to a board meeting that lasted for a couple of hours over at Children’s Hospital. Tonight I will go home, spend some time with AJ, make sure he gets his homework done, and then go to a Children’s Hospital dinner.

Jenkins: Was there anything in particular that prodded you to become active in Children’s Hospital?
Hart: I did the Children’s Miracle Network telethon for 15 years. I first set foot at Children’s Hospital 22 years ago and those kids just won me over. It took no time at all. But AJ actually had a minor surgical procedure there a year ago, and that re-committed both my husband and me to doing something for children.

Jenkins: What values do you try to instill in your son AJ?
Hart: Caring. Caring about other people, being polite, being respectful and being willing to work hard. I strive to get him to understand that even if he is tired, it’s so important to always do your best at whatever the task is. If you’re going to go out and practice baseball, then work to be the best that you can be. If you’re going to do your homework and you’re going to write a report or study for a science test, study hard enough so that you know that you’re going to do your best and not let yourself down. It doesn’t mean you’re going to be the best, compared to other people, but just strive to be the best that you can be at whatever you do.

Jenkins: What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?
Hart: (Laughs) I have to laugh. This is an ironic thing, but when I was 19 I was offered the chance to be in the Miss Sioux Falls Pageant, and I had to get parental permission. When I went to get some advice and parental permission from my parents, my dad thought that was the dumbest idea that he had ever heard. He said, ‘If you do that, I’ll paddle your behind.’ Well, at 19, I was incensed that he would even say something like that to me, so that advice turned out to be the best because I entered it in spite of his wishes.

Jenkins: And you won!
Hart: And a lot of doors opened for me because of being in the Miss America Pageant. I went to Atlantic City – and we have laughed about that so many times since, and he has said, ‘You never did listen to me.’ (laughter).

Jenkins: So, sometimes bad advice can be the best advice.
Hart: That’s right.

Jenkins: Because it moves you to try even harder.
Hart: That’s right.

Jenkins: Mary, people are always talking about your legs. How do you keep them so shapely?
Hart: Treadmill and elliptical trainer. Lots of excercise.

Jenkins: Are they still insured for 1 million?
Hart: I doubt it. That was long ago, but they haven’t changed too much.

Jenkins: Do you exercise a few times a week or every day?
Hart: I try to get some in every day. I try to do between 15 and 25 miles a week . . . sometimes more.

Jenkins: What do you feel is your best overall asset?
Hart: I think just an upbeat attitude about things.

Jenkins: As you know, Season Magazine is based in Atlanta. Have you ever been to Atlanta or do you have any ties to Atlanta?
Hart: I’ve been to Atlanta several times. I got to be the Grand Marshall at the 4th of July parade there back in the mid ’80s or late ’80s. I was there for the Olympics. I’ve been down there for lots of different things.

Jenkins: What do you like best about Atlanta?
Hart: I think Atlanta has a beautiful downtown and I think the outlying areas and suburbs are absolutely gorgeous. All the trees – the lush greenery around there is just spectacular. And, of course, I’ve always stayed downtown at the Peachtree Plaza.

Jenkins: What gives you the most joy out of life, Mary?
Hart: Being with my son and my husband [Beverly Hills businessman Burt Sugarman]. Spending family time together. Oftentimes, one of the things we love to do is just crawl into bed – all three of us – reading our individual books and just spending time together like that.

Jenkins: How long have you been married?
Hart: Almost 15 years.

Jenkins: What would you say is one of the keys to a successful marriage?
Hart: Really listening to each other.

Jenkins: Do you have a favorite Christmas memory?
Hart: Well, you know what? There is one and only one. My son was born on Christmas Eve 12 years ago. So he is my great life’s joy and the greatest gift ever.

Jenkins: What a nice Christmas gift! And what are your plans for this Christmas?
Hart: We’ll hopefully be skiing. We need snow.

Jenkins: I don’t like to ask women their age, but in the news/entertainment industry, you write a story and always add the age.
Hart: Yes, yes, yes. 52.

Jenkins: Well, you look so wonderful. You look 40!
Hart: Thank you!

Jenkins: I really appreciate your taking the time to call me and respond to my questions. You truly inspired me so much when I was at Entertainment Tonight and continue to be an inspiration.
Hart: Thank you, Sonya. I appreciate that.

Jenkins: Have a great day and keep the faith and keep moving forward.
Hart: Thank you. And you too!

From the Winter 2003 issue.

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