Tony Hart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tony Hart
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| Born |
Norman Antony Hart
15 October 1925 |
| Died | 18 January 2009 (aged 83) Shamley Green, Surrey, England
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| Resting place | Christ Church, Shamley Green, Surrey, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Artist, television presenter |
| Years active | 1952–2001 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1943-47 |
| Unit | 1st Gurkha Rifles |
Norman Antony Hart (born October 15, 1925 – died January 18, 2009) was a famous English artist. He was best known for teaching children about art on television. Tony Hart helped many young people discover their creative side through his fun and engaging shows.
He started his career in the army before moving into children's television in the 1950s. He worked on the popular show Blue Peter and later hosted his own art programs like Take Hart and Hartbeat. Tony Hart also designed the famous ship logo and badges for Blue Peter. He even helped create the much-loved animated character, Morph, who appeared alongside him on his shows.
Contents
Early Life and Art Skills
Tony Hart loved drawing from a very young age. He went to school at All Saints, Margaret Street Resident Choir School. Later, he attended Clayesmore School in Dorset. Art was always his best subject there, showing his natural talent early on.
Military Service and Return to Art
In 1943, Tony Hart finished school. He wanted to join the Royal Air Force, but his eyesight wasn't quite good enough to be a pilot. So, he followed his father's path and joined the British Indian Army. He became an officer in the 1st Gurkha Rifles.
However, when India became independent, British officers were replaced by Indian officers. Tony decided to leave the army and go back to civilian life. He briefly rejoined the army for a short time during the Korean War.
Tony Hart's TV Career
After leaving the army, Tony Hart decided to become a full-time artist. He studied art at Maidstone College of Art. After graduating in 1950, he worked as a display artist in a London shop. Then, he became a freelance artist, meaning he worked for himself.
His big break into television happened in 1952. His brother convinced him to go to a party where he met a BBC children's TV producer. During their meeting, Tony quickly drew a fish on a napkin. The producer was impressed, and Tony became the resident artist on the show Saturday Special.
Popular Art Shows
Tony Hart went on to host many other TV shows. These included Playbox (1954–59), Vision On (1964–76), Take Hart (1977–83), and Hartbeat (1984–93). He also presented Artbox Bunch and Smart Hart.
From the 1970s, Tony often appeared with Morph. Morph is a small, animated Plasticine character created by Peter Lord from Aardman Animations. Tony and Morph were a popular duo, making art fun for everyone.
Blue Peter Contributions
Tony Hart was a regular on the BBC children's show Blue Peter in the 1950s. He presented several segments in 1959. He showed viewers how to do small art projects at home. He also created huge artworks on the TV studio floor. Sometimes, he even used beaches and other open spaces as giant "canvases" for his art.
A famous part of Tony Hart's shows was "The Gallery." This section displayed amazing artworks sent in by young viewers. A piece of music called "Left Bank Two" often played during this segment. It became very well-known in British TV history.
Tony Hart also designed the original Blue Peter badge. This badge is also used as the show's logo. He was offered a one-time payment of £100 for his design. These badges are still very famous across the UK. Many generations of Blue Peter viewers have wanted to earn one.
Awards and Retirement
Tony Hart won two BAFTA awards. His first was in 1984 for Take Hart, for Best Children's Educational Programme. In 1998, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award for all his amazing work. He stopped working regularly on TV in 2001.
Personal Life and Family
Tony Hart met his wife, Jean Skingle, while they were both working in television. They got married in 1953. They were married for 50 years until Jean passed away in 2003. They had a daughter named Carolyn and two grandchildren.
Later Years and Passing
In 2008, it was shared that Tony Hart was not in good health. He had suffered two strokes, which made it difficult for him to use his hands and draw. He described this as "the greatest cross I have to bear." Tony Hart passed away peacefully on January 18, 2009, at the age of 83.
His funeral was held in Shamley Green, the village where he had lived for over 40 years.
Tributes to Tony Hart
Many people paid tribute to Tony Hart after he passed away.
- On March 1, 2009, a group of people organized a "flash mob" through Facebook. About two hundred Morph figures were displayed outside the Tate Modern art gallery. Tony Hart's daughter, Carolyn Ross, attended and judged the "Best Morph in Show."
- A special plaque was placed in Maidstone, Tony Hart's birthplace. This plaque was unveiled by his daughter in May 2009 at the Hazlitt Arts Centre.
- In September 2010, his daughter Carolyn published a book about him called Tony Hart: A Portrait of My Dad.
- In February 2015, many tributes appeared on social media. This happened when someone mistakenly thought a 2009 report of his death was new news. Aardman Animations, the creators of Morph, also shared a tribute to Tony Hart on their Twitter account.
Tony Hart's Legacy
Tony Hart's work continues to be remembered. In January 2021, some of his early drawings were put up for auction. These included drawings of a galleon from 1952, which helped create the famous Blue Peter logo. Copies of his original 1950s designs for the emblem were also part of the sale. These items were from the collection of his close friend and agent, Roc Renals.
See also
In Spanish: Tony Hart para niños
