Bert Newton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bert Newton AM MBE
Newton in 2013
Born	Albert Watson Newton (1938-07-23)23 July 1938 Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
Died	30 October 2021(2021-10-30) (aged 83) Prahran, Victoria, Australia
Occupation	Television personality television host radio presenter theatre actor
Years active	1952–2015
Known for	In Melbourne Tonight Good Morning Australia Logie Awards
Spouse(s)	Patti McGrath ​ (m. 1974)​
Children	2, including Matthew
Relatives	Matt Welsh (son-in-law)

Albert Watson Newton (born 23 July 1938 – died 30 October 2021) was a much-loved Australian television and radio star. He was a true legend in Australian entertainment, known for his friendly personality and quick wit. Bert was honored with the AM and MBE for his amazing work.

He won four Gold Logie awards, which are like the top prizes in Australian TV. Bert also hosted the famous Logie Awards ceremony an incredible 19 times! He was even inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame.

Bert was famous for working alongside other TV greats like Graham Kennedy and Don Lane on their popular variety shows. He also often appeared with his wife, singer Patti Newton. They had two children, Matthew and Lauren Newton.

Bert started his career in radio in 1952, and then became a huge star on Australian television right from when it began in 1956. He was seen as a pioneer, meaning he helped shape the early days of TV. He was one of the longest-serving TV performers in the world!

You might remember Bert from many shows on the Nine Network and Ten Network. Some of his most famous shows include In Melbourne Tonight, New Faces, Good Morning Australia, 20 to 1, and Bert's Family Feud.

Early Life

Bert Newton was born in Fitzroy, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. His parents were Joseph and Gladys Newton. He grew up with three brothers, Tom, Jack, and Bob, and two sisters, Alice and Elizabeth.

He went to St Joseph's Marist Brothers college. When he was young, he thought about becoming a priest and remained an active Catholic.

Radio Career

Bert's very first paid job in radio was on 10 June 1952. He was still a schoolboy and worked on Melbourne radio station 3XY. He did advertisements dressed as a clown!

He later said that a radio program called Scouting Around led to him appearing on 3XY. This then led to regular appearances on a Saturday morning children's show. On this show, he worked with disc jockey Stan Rofe.

In May 1954, when he was just 15, 3XY hired him as a junior announcer. By 1955, he was hosting Melbourne Speaks, a show where he interviewed people on the streets of Melbourne.

Later, when GTV-9 bought radio station 3AK, Bert and Graham Kennedy hosted a morning program together. Bert also hosted a morning program on 3UZ in 1976. He even became the general manager of 3DB in 1986, while still appearing on air.

Television Career

Starting in Television

Bert began his television journey in 1957 at Melbourne's HSV-7. He hosted a show called The Late Show.

In 1959, Bert moved to GTV-9 to host In Melbourne Today. He soon started making regular appearances on In Melbourne Tonight with his friend Graham Kennedy. This was the start of a long and successful partnership.

From 1959 to 1961, Bert and Graham Kennedy also appeared in a national show called Graham Kennedy's Channel 9 Show. Bert then hosted a similar show called The Channel 9 Show in 1962.

TV Highlights: 1975 to 1992

During these years, Bert was mainly seen on the Nine Network.

• The Don Lane Show: In 1975, Don Lane started his own variety show. Bert became his funny sidekick and was often called "Moonface" on the show. Bert would wear funny costumes and imitate celebrities. One famous moment was when he was imitating singer Demis Roussos, and Roussos himself walked onto the set! Bert stayed with the show until it ended in 1983.
• New Faces: In 1976, Bert took over as host of the talent show New Faces. This show was very popular and ran until 1985. Bert also hosted a short-lived version of New Faces in 1992.
• Ford Superquiz: In 1981, Bert and his wife Patti hosted a quiz show called Ford Superquiz.
• Tonight With Bert Newton: In 1984, Bert tried to bring back the fun of In Melbourne Tonight with this show, but it didn't last long.
• The Bert Newton Show (Seven Network): In 1989, Bert hosted another show for the Seven Network. It was an attempt to attract viewers from other shows, but it only lasted for that year.

Moving to Network Ten (1992–2005)

From 1992 to 2005, Bert was the host of Good Morning Australia (GMA) on Network Ten.

• Good Morning Australia: This show brought Bert back into the spotlight and was very successful for Channel Ten. GMA was a mix of interviews, music, and cooking segments. Bert often ad-libbed (made up jokes on the spot) and had fun with his floor manager, Robert Mascara, also known as "Belvedere." The show was broadcast live on Mondays and Tuesdays, and recorded for the rest of the week.

In 2005, Network Ten announced that GMA would end. Bert then decided to return to the Nine Network.

Back to the Nine Network (2006–2012)

After leaving Good Morning Australia, Bert returned to the Nine Network in 2006.

• Bert's Family Feud: In 2006, Bert hosted a new version of the popular game show Family Feud, called Bert's Family Feud. It ran until 2007.
• 20 to 1: From 2006 to 2011, Bert hosted 20 to 1, a show that counted down famous lists.
• What a Year: In 2007, Bert hosted What a Year with comedian Julia Zemiro. This show looked back at important events from different years in a fun way.
• Millionaire Hot Seat: In 2012, Bert appeared as a celebrity contestant on Millionaire Hot Seat and won $5,000 for a children's charity.

Stage Roles

Bert Newton was also a talented actor on stage. He played many memorable roles in musicals:

• Professor Marvel/the Wizard of Oz in The Wizard of Oz
• Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast
• Franz Liebkind in The Producers
• Max in The Sound of Music

In 2008, Bert took over the role of The Wizard in the musical Wicked. He played this role for three years, performing in Melbourne, Sydney, and Singapore.

In 2012, he joined the cast of Annie in Melbourne for a few weeks, playing President Roosevelt. In 2013, Bert returned to the stage in Grease The Musical, where he played the disc jockey Vince Fontaine. In 2015, he was the narrator in The Rocky Horror Show.

Music and Movies

Studio Albums

Singles

Other Media

Bert also appeared in several movies:

• Doctors & Nurses (1981) as Mr Cody
• Fatty Finn (1980) as Mr Finn
• The Wannabes (2003) as himself
• Remembering Nigel (2007) as The Agent

In 1979, Bert published his autobiography, Bert!: Bert Newton's Own Story.

Logie Awards and Hosting

Bert Newton was a huge part of the Logie Awards, Australia's top television awards, since they began in 1959. He was nominated for many Logies and won several, including four Gold Logies!

He also won three 'Best Compere' awards in 1972, 1973, and 1974 for his work on In Melbourne Tonight and The Graham Kennedy Show.

Logies Hosting

Bert hosted the Logies many times (1968–1980, 1982, 1984, 1989, 1993, and 2010). He even co-hosted in 2006. He holds the record for hosting the most Logies, and for the longest continuous run as host!

One famous moment happened at the 1979 Logie Awards when he was talking to boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Bert said, "I like the boy," which was a phrase he used in a commercial. However, Ali misunderstood the phrase. Bert quickly realized the confusion and lightened the mood, showing that it was an innocent mistake. They later made up and were friends.

In 2006, after hosting the awards, Bert had a fall and was injured. You could see his injury on some episodes of Bert's Family Feud.

Honours and Recognition

Moomba monarchs for 2014 – Lucy Durack and Newton

Bert Newton received many special awards and honours throughout his life.

• In 1979, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his contributions to the performing arts.
• On 12 June 2006, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). This was for his service to entertainment as a presenter, actor, and comedian, and for supporting medical research and charities.
• Bert was the first person born in Melbourne to be named King of Moomba in 1978, which is a big honour in Melbourne's annual festival.

A song called "For Bert" was even written about him by GTV-9's musical director, Brian Rangott.

Bert was the subject of a This Is Your Life tribute in 1997, celebrating his career. His wife Patti also had her own tribute in 2001.

In 2002, The Best of Bert Newton aired, and in 2004, Channel Nine Salutes Bert Newton showed his amazing career journey.

He received the Centenary Medal in 2001. He also won several show business awards, including a Mo Award (1997), two Television Society of Australia awards, and three Penguin Citations.

To celebrate 50 years of television in Australia, Channel 9 aired 50 Years, 50 Stars. Bert Newton was named the No. 1 Australian TV star of the past 50 years!

On 1 July 2008, Bert was named Victorian of the Year. On his 70th birthday, 23 July 2008, Channel 9 aired a special one-hour This Is Your Life episode for him.

In 2018, Australia Post honoured him with a special stamp as part of their Australian Legends series, featuring stars from Australian television.

After his passing, on 12 November 2021, Bert Newton was given a Victorian state funeral at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne.

Personal Life

In 1974, Bert married Patti McGrath, who he had worked with on television. They had two children, a son named Matthew and a daughter named Lauren. Matthew Newton is an actor. Lauren Newton married swimmer Matt Welsh.

In 1993, Bert faced some financial difficulties.

In 2020, Bert was featured on the TV show Who Do You Think You Are?, which explored his family history.

Health and Passing

In November 2012, Bert had heart bypass surgery. He had been in the hospital a couple of times in the year before.

He was admitted to Epworth Hospital several times in 2017 for pneumonia.

In late 2020, Bert had a toe infection. Due to complications from this, one of his legs was amputated below the knee in May 2021.

Bert Newton passed away in Prahran, Victoria, on 30 October 2021, at the age of 83.

Images for kids

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  Newton in 2013

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  Moomba monarchs for 2014 – Lucy Durack and Newton