David Hartman (TV personality) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Hartman
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Hartman at the Society of Experimental Test Pilots banquet in 2002
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David Downs Hartman
May 19, 1935 Pawtucket, Rhode Island, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor Broadcaster |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Spouse(s) | Maureen Downey (1974–1997) (her death) Mary Clark Putman (2001–present) |
David Downs Hartman, born on May 19, 1935, is an American journalist and TV host. He started his career as an actor before becoming a well-known broadcaster. Today, he hosts and anchors documentary shows on channels like History and PBS. He is most famous for being the very first host of ABC's Good Morning America, a role he held from 1975 to 1987. As an actor, he played Dr. Paul Hunter in The Bold Ones: The New Doctors and a teacher in the series Lucas Tanner. He also appeared in the 1973 TV movie Miracle on 34th Street.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
David Hartman was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. His parents were Fannie Rodman (Downs) and Cyril Baldwin Hartman.
Acting on Stage and Screen
David Hartman began his career as an actor. He performed in two Broadway shows: Hello, Dolly! in 1964 and The Yearling in 1965. He also acted in movies like The Ballad of Josie (1967) and Nobody's Perfect (1968).
TV Roles and Recognition
After his film work, Hartman focused on television. In 1969, he appeared in The Virginian. He became well-known for playing a dedicated doctor on The Bold Ones: The New Doctors, which even earned him a nomination for a Golden Globe award.
A Career in News and Broadcasting
On November 3, 1975, David Hartman became the first male co-host of ABC's new morning news show, Good Morning America. He stayed with GMA for 11 years, until 1987. During his time, Good Morning America was often the most-watched morning news program on TV. Even though he didn't have a background in journalism, he conducted more than 12,000 interviews on the show.
His Famous Sign-Off
David Hartman often ended each Good Morning America broadcast with a special message: "Make it a good day today." He later explained that this phrase showed what GMA was all about. It was a way to remind people that they could make a positive difference in their own lives. He hoped the show served the public by encouraging this positive outlook.
Hosting Documentaries
After Good Morning America, Hartman became a host for a series of documentaries. These shows appeared on the Discovery Channel and the PBS station WNET in New York City. Many of these documentaries were "Walk Through" shows, exploring different communities around New York City.
Exploring New York City
Some of his popular "Walk Through" documentaries include:
- A Walk Down 42nd Street (1998)
- A Walk Up Broadway (1999)
- A Walk Through Harlem (1999)
- A Walk Around Brooklyn (2000)
- A Walk Through Greenwich Village (2001)
- A Walk Through Central Park (2001)
- A Walk Through Newark (2002)
- A Walk Through Hoboken (2003)
- A Walk Through Queens (2004)
- A Walk Through the Bronx (2005)
- A Walk Around Staten Island (2007)
In 2017, David Hartman received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Broadcasters. This award recognized his important contributions to broadcasting.
Personal Life
David Hartman was married to Maureen Downey from 1974 until she passed away on September 17, 1997. In 2001, he married Mary Clark Putman.
Images for kids
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Hartman at the Society of Experimental Test Pilots banquet in 2002
