Jonathan Meath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jonathan Meath
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Meath as Santa Claus in 2010
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| Born | September 16, 1955 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
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| Education | Phillips Academy (1974) |
| Alma mater | New York University (1979) |
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| Years active |
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| Employer | Andanzura |
| Children | Amelia Meath |
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Jonathan Meath (born September 16, 1955) is an American television producer and director. He is well-known for creating popular children's TV shows. He also has a unique second career as a professional Santa Claus.
Meath was a senior producer for the TV game show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? He also produced The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss and the 1990s version of Zoom.
As Santa, he has appeared on Good Morning America and at Radio City Music Hall with The Rockettes. He was even on the cover of Boston Magazine and in a Delta Air Lines' safety video. Media like National Public Radio and Time have called him a "top Santa."
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Jonathan Meath's TV Career
Jonathan Meath went to Phillips Academy and finished in 1974. He was part of the first class that included both boys and girls. Later, he graduated from New York University in 1979.
In the 1980s, Meath worked at different TV companies. These included CBS and MTV Networks. He held various jobs in TV production.
From 1996 to 1998, he produced shows for The Jim Henson Company. One of these shows was The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss. He also produced many episodes for PBS. He made 295 episodes of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? He also produced 80 episodes of Zoom.
Becoming a Professional Santa
Jonathan Meath's hair and beard turned white when he was still young. Because of this, children sometimes called him "Santa." He is also a bit overweight, and he calls himself an "organic Santa." His wife even bought him a red suit.
To become a professional Santa, he went to special schools. He learned how to act and look like Santa. He has appeared in many parades. He is also a professional singer.
In 2012, he played Santa at Radio City Music Hall for their famous Christmas Spectacular show in New York City. Meath uses his real beard for his Santa role. He takes good care of it with special shampoo and uses hair gel for his mustache. Many news stories have talked about his role as Santa. In 2009, he was even in a TV commercial for the Boston Red Sox baseball team.
Jonathan Meath's Family Life
Jonathan Meath has one child. He lives in Newburyport, Massachusetts. His mother, Mary Stewart Hewitt, was an activist and historian.
He is also related to some famous people from the past. He is the great-great-grandson of businessman John Malcolm Forbes. He is also the great-great-great-grandson of railroad builder John Murray Forbes. Through these family connections, he is distantly related to John Kerry.
Meath's daughter, Amelia Randall Meath, is a musician. She is a member of two bands: Mountain Man and Sylvan Esso.
Awards and Recognition
Jonathan Meath has received several awards and nominations for his work in television.
| Year | Result | Award | Category | Notes |
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| 2005 | Won | Carnegie Medal | Excellence in children's videos | For FableVision's The Dot |
| Nominated | Daytime Emmy | Outstanding Pre-School Children's Series | For Paz | |
| 2001 | Nominated | Outstanding Children's Series | For Zoom | |
| 2000 | Nominated | For Zoom | ||
| 1997 | Nominated | Emmy | Outstanding Children's Program | For The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss |
| 1996 | Nominated | Daytime Emmy | Outstanding Children's Series | For Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? |
| 1993 | Won | George Foster Peabody Award | Excellence for overall show | For Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? |
