David Hartnell
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David Hartnell MNZM |
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| Born |
29 June 1944 Sandringham, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Occupation | Journalist, gossip columnist |
| Website | davidhartnell |
David Harold Ward Hartnell MNZM (born 29 June 1944) is a New Zealand journalist and media personality best known for his Hollywood gossip column and best- and worst-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 nine 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.
Hartnell was born in the Auckland suburb of Sandringham in 1944 as David Segetin. As a child he became interested in magic 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. 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. 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. In 1981, Hartnell began his popular New Zealand's best- and worst-dressed lists, a yearly swipe at Kiwi celebrities that has become a tradition.
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