David Hartnell

Last updated

David Hartnell

MNZM
Davidhartnell2.jpg
Born (1944-06-29) 29 June 1944 (age 79)
Sandringham, Auckland, New Zealand
Occupation(s)Journalist, gossip columnist
Website davidhartnell.com

David Harold Ward Hartnell MNZM (born 29 June 1944) [1] is a New Zealand journalist and media personality best known for his Hollywood gossip column and best-dressed lists. He was the first full-time celebrity gossip columnist in New Zealand and his work appeared in print, radio and television. His syndicated columns have run in magazines and newspapers around the world. Hartnell is the author of ten books, the Patron of the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc and the Ambassador of St James Saviours. In April 2014 he was named Ambassador of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand and in September 2016 the Patron of the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Inc.

Contents

In May 2021 he received a star on the New Zealand Walk of Fame in Orewa. [2]

Biography

Hartnell was born in the Auckland suburb of Sandringham in 1944 as David Segetin. [1] [3] As a child he became interested in magic [4] and roller-skating. He was raised by his mother and grandparents after his father left when he was young. He later discovered a half-brother and sister who knew nothing of his existence. [3] In 1959 he was a runner-up in the dance pairs at the World Roller Skating Championships in Christchurch.

After moving to Sydney he found a position with Revlon and became Australia's first in-store male make-up artist. [5] He made-up comedian Phyllis Diller as a publicity stunt and the pair became lifelong friends. After a sojourn in Hong Kong, Hartnell moved to London and worked as a makeup artist for instore promotions, magazine shoots and the 1970 Miss World pageant. He moved to New York for a position with Maybelline and then relocated to Los Angeles. It was at this time that Hartnell began to interview the celebrities he met.

Returning to New Zealand in 1975, Hartnell became involved with TVNZ television shows Town Cryer and Two on One and became a celebrity himself. He became involved with radio with weekly slots on Radio Pacific and Radio i and later appeared with radio personality Alice Worsley on New Zealand's first-ever television shopping show. His Hollywood gossip columns appeared in NZ Woman's Weekly, Woman's Day and the Sunday News and his catchphrases "I'm not one to gossip but..." and "my lips are sealed" became part of New Zealand popular culture. [6] In 1981, Hartnell began his popular New Zealand's best- and worst-dressed lists, a yearly celebration of Kiwi celebrities that has become a tradition.

He was the chairman of the judges for the Miss New Zealand contest between 1982 and 1987.

In 1995 he fronted The David Hartnell Show, a chat show on New Zealand's Triangle Television.

In 2009 Hartnell became a patron of the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc. [7]

In the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to entertainment. [8] [9] His book Memoirs of a Gossip Columnist was published in 2011. [10]

In September 2012 Hartnell was named an Ambassador of St James Saviours, the trust formed to save the iconic Auckland theatre. In April 2014 he was named Ambassador of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand.

In September 2016 he was made patron of the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Inc.

He has lived with his partner Somboon Khansuk since 1993. [11]

In October 2017 he was presented with the President's Medallion from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand in recognition of his services as Patron. [12]

In 2020 he became a regular guest on Three's The AM Show with the Hartnell's Hollywood segment.

Awards and honours

David Hartnell's star on the New Zealand Walk of Fame David-hartnell-nz-walk-of-fame.jpg
David Hartnell's star on the New Zealand Walk of Fame

Publications

Television career and appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy T. James</span> New Zealand entertainer, comedian, musician and actor

William James Te Wehi Taitoko better known by his stage name Billy T. James, was a New Zealand entertainer, comedian, musician and actor. He became a key figure in the development of New Zealand comedy and was a household name during his lifetime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TVNZ</span> New Zealand state-owned television network

Television New Zealand, more commonly referred to as TVNZ, is a television network that is broadcast throughout New Zealand and parts of the Pacific region. All of its currently-operating channels are free-to-air and commercially funded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trelise Cooper</span> New Zealand fashion designer

Dame Trelise Pamela Cooper is a fashion designer from New Zealand. Her designs have featured in magazines such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Women's Wear Daily, InStyle and the television series Sex and the City.

Pamela Corkery is a New Zealand journalist, broadcaster, and former politician who served one term (1996–1999) as a member of Parliament for the left-wing Alliance party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Henry (broadcaster)</span> New Zealand radio and television broadcaster

Paul Henry Hopes, known professionally as Paul Henry, is a New Zealand radio and television broadcaster who was the host of the late night show The Paul Henry Show on New Zealand's TV3 which ended December 2014 so that Henry could host a new cross platform three-hour breakfast show Monday to Friday on TV3, RadioLive and online. Paul Henry launched on 7 April 2015 and initially had an audience larger than the two shows it replaced on radio and TV. For nine months in 2012, he also co-hosted an Australian television show, Breakfast, which ceased production on 30 November 2012, due to low ratings.

Jeremy Wells is a New Zealand media personality who hosts the Radio Hauraki breakfast show with Matt Heath, Seven Sharp alongside Hilary Barry, and the NZ version of Taskmaster.

Andrew Fagan is a New Zealand writer, singer-songwriter and long-distance solo sailor. He grew up in Wellington. He gained fame in New Zealand in the 1980s as the lead singer of the pop group The Mockers.

Wendy Petrie is a New Zealand journalist and television presenter, best known for presenting 1 News at Six alongside Simon Dallow, a role she held for fourteen years from 2006 to 2020.

Emily Iris Robins is a New Zealand actress and singer. She was born to Danny Robins and Susan Robins. She is known for her role in the popular TV2 soap opera Shortland Street as Claire Simone Solomon (2004–2007), and for her role in the popular FOX 8 teen drama, SLiDE, where she portrayed Scarlett Carlyle. She was born in London, England but raised in New Zealand. She grew up in Orewa. She was involved with Centre Stage Theatre.

SportsCafe was a New Zealand sports TV show. The show's original run was hosted by Lana Coc-Kroft, Marc Ellis, Leigh Hart, Graeme Hill, Ric Salizzo and reporter Eva Evguenieva. In 2001 Leigh Hart was added to the cast under his persona of 'That Guy'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Watson (magician)</span>

Alan Scott Watson is a professional magician living and performing in Auckland, New Zealand. He has been performing professionally for more than 30 years and has been presented with some of magic's highest awards and accolades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stan Walker</span> Australian-born New Zealand singer

Stan Walker is an Australian-born New Zealand singer, actor, and television personality. In 2009, Walker was the winner of the seventh season of Australian Idol. He subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. In December 2009, Walker released his debut studio album, Introducing Stan Walker, which included the hit single, "Black Box". The album debuted at number three on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). It also appeared on the New Zealand Albums Chart at number two and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).

Wilfred Jeffs, better known by the stage name Bill Sevesi, was a musician and master of the steel guitar who helped popularise Hawaiian-style music in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Daverne</span>

Gary Michiel Daverne is a New Zealand musical arranger, composer, conductor, director and producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Variety Artists Club of New Zealand</span> Not-for-profit organisation in New Zealand

The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc (VAC) is a non-for-profit organisation and show business club. It was founded in 1966 and became an incorporated society in 1972. The VAC was formed to promote goodwill within the New Zealand entertainment industry and foster a spirit of loyalty, friendship and cooperation between members. Each year the VAC presents a number of New Zealand entertainment awards including the prestigious Benny Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tayla Alexander</span> New Zealand singer

Tayla Alexander is a New Zealand singer who has been hailed as an up-and-coming opera star by New Zealand media. Tayla's debut album Songbird charted in the top 10 on both the Independent Music New Zealand Album charts (IMNZ), and the New Zealand Music Charts, making her the youngest artist to appear on the New Zealand music charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mick Peck</span>

Mick Peck is a professional award-winning magician based in Auckland, New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parris Goebel</span> New Zealand dancer and choreographer (born 1991)

Parris Renee Goebel, also known mononymously as Parris, is a New Zealand dancer and choreographer. She is the founder and main choreographer of the Palace Dance Studio, which has produced dance crews such as ReQuest, Sorority, Bubblegum, and the Royal Family. The latter has won the World Hip Hop Dance Championship three times in a row, becoming the first dance crew in history to achieve it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guy Montgomery</span> Comedian from New Zealand

Guy Montgomery is a comedian from New Zealand. He was the winner of the Billy T Award in 2014 and the Fred Award in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians</span> Not-for-profit organisation in New Zealand

The Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Inc (BAM) is a New Zealand-based non-for-profit organisation and magic club. It was founded in 1946.

References

  1. 1 2 "Births". Auckland Star. 30 June 1944. p. 1. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  2. 1 2 "David Hartnell added to New Zealand Walk of Fame in Orewa, Seven Sharp TVNZ". tvnz.co.nz. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  3. 1 2 Hewitson, Michele (3 March 2012). "Michele Hewitson interview: David Hartnell". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  4. ↑ "David Hartnell: bullied but not broken". New Zealand Woman's Weekly. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  5. ↑ Knight, Kim (8 May 2011). "Stars in his eyes". Sunday Star Times. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  6. ↑ "David Hartnell awarded MNZM in the Queen's Birthday honours list – June 2011". GrownUps New Zealand. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  7. ↑ "Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Patron Page". Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  8. ↑ "New Zealand Listener interview, 2011".
  9. ↑ "Honour for Gossip Star, Harbour News Article". 7 June 2011.
  10. ↑ "Stars in His Eyes, Sunday Star Times, 2011". 7 May 2011.
  11. ↑ "Michelle Hewitson Interview:David Hartnell".
  12. ↑ "Godfather of gossip David Hartnell honoured for 53 years in the spotlight, Stuff.co.nz October 2017". 28 October 2017.
  13. ↑ "2017 VAC Awards Announced". Variety Artists Club of New Zealand. 2017. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  14. ↑ "Variety Artists of NZ Inc 2013 Award Recipients". 13 May 2013.
  15. ↑ "Variety Artists of NZ Inc Scroll Recipients". Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  16. ↑ "3 News Interview on MNZM, 2011". Archived from the original on 3 July 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  17. ↑ "Closeup Interview on MNZM, 2011".
  18. ↑ "Good Morning interview, May 2011".
  19. ↑ "Good Morning interview, August 2011".
  20. ↑ "Billy T James John Rowles sketch". YouTube .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.