David Hartnell

David Hartnell

Born (1944-06-29) 29 June 1944 (age 79)
Sandringham, Auckland, New Zealand
Occupation(s)Journalist, gossip columnist
Websitedavidhartnell.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.

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

Publications

  • 2014 David Hartnell's Celebrity Quiz Book
  • 2011 Memoirs of a Gossip Columnist
  • 2003 David Hartnell's Hollywood Trivia
  • 1997 David Hartnell's Celebrity Fact-File
  • 1990 I'm Not One to Gossip, But …
  • 1984 David Hartnell's Guide to Beauty
  • 1979 Beauty from 30 to 90
  • 1978 David Hartnell's Book of Beauty
  • 1975 David Hartnell on Makeup for New Zealand Women
  • 1968 David Hartnell's Makeup and Skin Care Cards

Television career and appearances

  • Seven Sharp, 2021, Star on the New Zealand Walk of Fame
  • Seven Sharp, 2021, Royal Family Oprah interview fallout
  • The AM Show, 2020, career profile and regular Hartnell's Hollywood segment
  • Seven Sharp, 2020, career profile
  • Te Ao with Moana, 2020, story on Prince Tui Teka
  • Native Affairs, 2017, feature on Merle Oberon
  • Te Radar's Chequered Past, 2017, feature on Anna Hoffman
  • Paul Henry, 2015, Annual Best-Dressed List
  • Seven Sharp, 2015, Feature story on the Orewa Walk of Fame
  • Paul Henry, 2015, Celebrity panel
  • Good Morning, 2014, Celebrity Quiz Book
  • The Paul Henry Show, 2014, Recent Best-Dressed List and Celebrity Quiz Book
  • The Beat Goes On, 2014, Profiled as the only gossip columnist that has been awarded by the Queen
  • The Beat Goes On, 2011, Star on the Orewa Walk of Fame
  • 3 News, 2011[16]
  • Close Up, 2011[17]
  • Happy Birthday TVNZ, 2010
  • The David Hartnell Show, series on Triangle TV, 2004
  • Maggie’s Garden Show, guest appearance, 1999
  • 60 Minutes, 1997
  • The Express Report, 1996
  • Good Morning, Celebrity Gossip regular for three years plus guest appearances[18][19]
  • The EarlyBird Show
  • The Billy T. James Show[20]
  • Saunders and Sinclair, 1985 – Makeup Artist and Celebrity Gossip
  • Tonight, 1985
  • Kaye and Guest, 1979
  • Two on One, 1975 – Makeup Artist and Celebrity Gossip
  • Town Cryer

References

  1. ^ a b "Births". Auckland Star. 30 June 1944. p. 1. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  2. ^ a b "David Hartnell added to New Zealand Walk of Fame in Orewa, Seven Sharp TVNZ". tvnz.co.nz. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b 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.

External links

  • David Hartnell Official Site
  • David Hartnell's Spicy New Venture, NZ Woman's Weekly October 2023
  • New Zealand's Greatest Gossip Has Some Words For Modern Celebrities, The Spinoff, June 2021
  • David Hartnell added to New Zealand Walk of Fame in Orewa, One News 2021 Archived 24 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine
  • David Hartnell says Meghan and Harry should have 'named, names' when accusing royal family of racism, March 2021 TVNZ
  • The best dressed Kiwis list is out, Stuff.co.nz, November 2020
  • David Hartnell on a Life Watching Hollywood, Stuff.co.nz, July 2020
  • A Quiet Cuppa With David Hartnell, A Quiet Cuppa, June 2020
  • David Hartnell's Favourite Summer Object, Stuff.co.nz, January 2019
  • Godfather of gossip David Hartnell honoured for 53 years in the spotlight, Stuff.co.nz October 2017
  • David Hartnell's First Love, New Zealand Woman's Weekly September 2016 Archived 11 September 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  • Twelve Questions with David Hartnell, New Zealand Herald August 2015
  • David Hartnell Keeps Faith With JAFAs, Sunday Star Times July 2015 Archived 6 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  • Stars In His Eyes, Glory Days Magazine January 2015 Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  • David's Triple Celebration – 70th Birthday, 50 years in Gossip and 21 years with partner Somboon, New Zealand Woman's Weekly June 2014
  • Audio : David Hartnell interviewed by Leighton Smith on NewstalkZB about his Celebrity Quiz Book, July 2014 Archived 12 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  • David Hartnell – My Starring Role, New Zealand Woman's Weekly interview January 2014
  • Breakfast Coffee with Prime Minister John Key, GrownUps Column, December 2014 Archived 4 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  • David Hartnell's Blooming Surprise, NZ Woman's Weekly September 2014 Archived 10 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  • Ten Questions with David Hartnell, Recipient of the Fullers Entertainment Award, August 2013
  • Bid to Save Iconic St James Theatre, Fairfax News June 2013
  • From Roller Rinks to Hollywood, Forward 50+ Lifestyle Magazine March/April 2013 Archived 17 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  • Ghost Power, Lucky Break Magazine September 2012 Archived 17 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  • Twelve Questions with David Hartnell, New Zealand Herald August 2012
  • Michele Hewitson interview: David Hartnell, New Zealand Herald March 2012
  • Audio interview with David Hartnell on bFM, 2011 Archived 9 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  • Audio interview with David Hartnell on The Breeze, 2011
  • Memoirs of a Gossip Columnist Review, Southland Times
  • Audio : David Hartnell interviewed by Grant Walker, Radio New Zealand June 2018
  • Video : David Hartnell on Native Affairs on Merle Oberon, October 2017 on YouTube
  • Video : David Hartnell on Te Radar's Chequered Past, March 2017 on YouTube
  • Video : David Hartnell introduces Prime Minister John Key and Kerre McIvor, Variety Artists Club Benny Award Evening, October 2016 on YouTube
  • Video : David Hartnell on TV3's Paul Henry show, 2015 Best-Dressed List, December 2015 on YouTube
  • Video : 2015 Variety Artists Club Benny Award Evening, David Hartnell introduces John Key on YouTube
  • Video : Seven Sharp, story on the Orewa Walk of Fame, 2015
  • Video : 2015 Paul Henry Show, celebrity panel, 2015 on YouTube
  • Video : The Beat Goes On – David Hartnell interviewed by John Sumner, March 2014 on YouTube
  • Video : 2014 Best Dressed List, Good Morning interview, 2014 on YouTube
  • Video : 2014 Best Dressed List, Paul Henry Show, 2014 on YouTube
  • Video : David Hartnell with Dame Edna Everage and Penny Hulse, 2012 on YouTube
  • Video : David Hartnell on Good Morning, 50th Anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's Death, 2012 on YouTube
  • Video : Queen's Honour, Good Morning interview, 2011 on YouTube
  • Video : Queen's Honour, Closeup, 2011 on YouTube
  • Video : Queen's Honour, TV3 News, 2011 on YouTube
  • Video : Memoirs of a Gossip Columnist, Good Morning interview, 2011 on YouTube
  • Video : Speech at the Boulevard of Dreams upon receiving star on the Walk of Fame, Orewa, 2011 on YouTube
  • Video : Interview on The Beat Goes On, 2011 on YouTube
  • Video : Appearance on Maggie's Garden Show, 1999 on YouTube
  • Video : Feature Story On 60 Minutes, March 1997 on YouTube
  • Video : David Hartnell with Joan Collins, NZ Book Launch 1997 on YouTube
  • Video : David Hartnell with Susan Wood on TV1 Midday News on YouTube
  • Video : David Hartnell introduces the Billy Farnell Trio, the David Hartnell Show on NZ Triangle Television, circa 1995 on YouTube
  • Video : Guest Appearance on Kaye & Guest, New Zealand television 1979 on YouTube
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