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'''Albert Watson Newton''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100|AM|MBE|sep=}} (23 July 1938 – 30 October 2021) was an Australian media personality. He was a [[Logie Hall of Fame]] inductee, quadruple [[Gold Logie Award for Best Personality on Australian Television|Gold Logie]] award-winning entertainer, and radio, theatre, and television personality and presenter. .
'''Albert Watson Newton''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100|AM|MBE|sep=}} (23 July 1938 – 30 October 2021) was an Australian media personality. He was a [[Logie Hall of Fame]] inductee, quadruple [[Gold Logie Award for Best Personality on Australian Television|Gold Logie]]–winning entertainer, and radio, theatre, and television personality and [[Master of ceremonies|compère]].
Newton was known for his collaborations opposite [[Graham Kennedy]] and subsequently [[Don Lane]] on their respective variety shows, and appearances with his wife, singer [[Patti Newton]].
Newton was known for his collaborations opposite [[Graham Kennedy]] and subsequently [[Don Lane]] on their respective variety shows, and appearances with his wife, singer [[Patti Newton]].


Newton started his career in radio broadcasting, primarily as an announcer, before becoming a star and fixture of Australian television since its inception in 1956, and was considered both an industry pioneer icon and one of the longest-serving television performers in the world.
Newton started his career in radio broadcasting, primarily as an announcer, before becoming a star and fixture of Australian television since its inception in 1956, and was considered both an industry pioneer icon and one of the longest-serving television performers in the world.


Newton was known for his association with both the [[Nine Network]] and [[Ten Network]] on numerous variety shows, including ''[[In Melbourne Tonight]]'', ''[[New Faces (Australian talent show)|New Faces]]'', ''[[Good Morning Australia (1992-2005)|Good Morning Australia]]'', ''[[20 to 1]]'', and game show ''[[Bert's Family Feud]]''.
Newton was known for his association with both the [[Nine Network]] and [[Ten Network]] on numerous variety shows, including ''[[In Melbourne Tonight]]'', ''[[New Faces (Australian talent show)|New Faces]]'', ''[[Good Morning Australia (1992-2005)|Good Morning Australia]]'', ''[[20 to 1]]'', and game show ''[[Bert's Family Feud]]''.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Newton was born in [[Fitzroy, Victoria|Fitzroy]], an inner suburb of [[Melbourne, Victoria]], to Joseph (Joe) and Gladys Newton. He had three brothers (Tom, Jack, and Bob) and two sisters (Alice and Elizabeth). He was educated at [[Samaritan Catholic College#History|St Joseph's]] [[Marist Brothers]] Roman Catholic college. In his early years, he had thoughts of entering the priesthood and remained an active [[Roman Catholic]].{{cn|date=October 2021}}
Newton was born in [[Fitzroy, Victoria|Fitzroy]], an inner suburb of [[Melbourne, Victoria]], to Joseph (Joe) and Gladys Newton. He had three brothers (Tom, Jack, and Bob) and two sisters (Alice and Elizabeth). He was educated at [[Samaritan Catholic College#History|St Joseph's]] [[Marist Brothers]] Roman Catholic college. In his early years, he had thoughts of entering the priesthood and remained an active [[Roman Catholic]].{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}


==Radio==
==Radio==
Newton's first paid radio appearance was as a schoolboy on Melbourne radio station [[3XY]] on 10 June 1952, doing advertisements dressed as a clown with Doug McKenzie, who later became Zag in [[Zig and Zag (Australian performers)|Zig and Zag]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
Newton's first paid radio appearance was as a schoolboy on Melbourne radio station [[3XY]] on 10 June 1952, doing advertisements dressed as a clown with Doug McKenzie, who later became Zag in [[Zig and Zag (Australian performers)|Zig and Zag]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
{{quotation|"...&nbsp;there was a radio program on 3XY Melbourne called ''Scouting Around'', compered by the late Tom Jones. One week, the broadcast was recorded at our Scout Hall, and as the direct result of this, I began to appear on 3XY."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-07-07 |title=Bert Newton: 50 years on TV |url=http://www.televisionau.com/bertnewton.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618192147/http://www.televisionau.com/bertnewton.htm |archive-date=2012-06-18 |access-date=2013-03-30 |website=TelevisionAU}}</ref>{{failed verification |date=April 2020}}}} This led to regular appearances on a Saturday morning children's show, in which he worked with disc jockey [[Stan Rofe]] and McKenzie.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
{{blockquote|"...&nbsp;there was a radio program on 3XY Melbourne called ''Scouting Around'', compered by the late Tom Jones. One week, the broadcast was recorded at our Scout Hall, and as the direct result of this, I began to appear on 3XY."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-07-07 |title=Bert Newton: 50 years on TV |url=http://www.televisionau.com/bertnewton.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618192147/http://www.televisionau.com/bertnewton.htm |archive-date=2012-06-18 |access-date=2013-03-30 |website=TelevisionAU}}</ref>{{failed verification |date=April 2020}}}} This led to regular appearances on a Saturday morning children's show, in which he worked with disc jockey [[Stan Rofe]] and McKenzie.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


In May 1954, 3XY employed him as a junior announcer (aged 15); by 1955, he was presenting ''Melbourne Speaks'', a [[vox populi|vox pop]] program recorded on the streets of Melbourne's CBD.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} After GTV-9 purchased [[3AK]] in April 1961, all GTV-9 personalities were expected to present programs on 3AK. Graham Kennedy and Newton hosted a two-hour morning program.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} He began a morning program on [[3UZ]] in 1976. The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd appointed Newton as general manager of [[Mix 101.1|3DB]] in 1986, which he combined with on-air appearances until 1988.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
In May 1954, 3XY employed him as a junior announcer (aged 15); by 1955, he was presenting ''Melbourne Speaks'', a [[vox populi|vox pop]] program recorded on the streets of Melbourne's CBD.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} After GTV-9 purchased [[3AK]] in April 1961, all GTV-9 personalities were expected to present programs on 3AK. Graham Kennedy and Newton hosted a two-hour morning program.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} He began a morning program on [[3UZ]] in 1976. The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd appointed Newton as general manager of [[Mix 101.1|3DB]] in 1986, which he combined with on-air appearances until 1988.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


==Television==
==Television==
⚫
===Early television career===
⚫
Newton began his television career in 1957 at Melbourne's [[HSV (TV station)|HSV-7]], hosting ''[[The Late Show (1957 TV series)|The Late Show]]''.<ref name="Graham Kennedy book">{{Cite book |last=Blundell |first=Graeme |author-link=Graeme Blundell |title=King: The Life and Comedy of Graham Kennedy |publisher=Pan Macmillan |year=2003 |isbn=0-7329-1165-6 |location=Sydney}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=April 2021}} Newton left for [[GTV (Australian TV station)|GTV-9]] in early 1959 to host ''In Melbourne Today''.<ref name="Graham Kennedy book" /> After appearing in a live commercial on ''[[In Melbourne Tonight]]'' with his friend [[Graham Kennedy]] in 1959, he began to make regular appearances on the show and assumed hosting duties on some episodes. This began a lifelong association with Kennedy.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


⚫
From 1959 to 1960, he hosted ''[[The Bert Newton Show]]'' (later retitled ''Hi-Fi Club'') on GTV-9, a series aimed at teenagers.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
⚫
=== Early television career ===
Newton began his television career in 1957 at Melbourne's [[Seven Network|HSV-7]], hosting ''[[The Late Show (1950s Australian TV series)|The Late Show]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blundell |first=Graeme |title=King: The Life and Comedy of Graham Kennedy |publisher=Pan Macmillan |year=2003 |isbn=0-7329-1165-6 |location=Sydney |author-link=Graeme Blundell}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=April 2021}} For several years Newton worked with former manager Mason Jarrett whilst trying to find work on numerous television stations.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


⚫
From 1960 to 1961, Newton appeared in the national ''Graham Kennedy's Channel 9 Show'' (a weekly national version of ''IMT''). In January 1962, the show was cancelled and replaced by the similar ''The Channel 9 Show'', hosted by Newton.<ref name="Graham Kennedy book" />
⚫
Newton left HSV-7 and went to [[Nine Network|GTV-9]] in early 1959 to host a daytime television program ''In Melbourne Today''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blundell |first=Graeme |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/56913422 |title=King : the life and comedy of Graham Kennedy |date=2003 |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=1-4050-3566-8 |location=Sydney |page=169 |oclc=56913422 |author-link=Graeme Blundell}}</ref> After appearing in a live commercial on ''[[In Melbourne Tonight]]'' with his friend [[Graham Kennedy]] at Easter 1959, he began to make regular appearances on the show and assumed hosting duties on some episodes. This began a lifelong association with Kennedy.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


===1975–92===
⚫
In 1959–1960, he hosted ''[[The Bert Newton Show]]'' (later retitled ''Hi-Fi Club'') on GTV-9, a series aimed at teenagers.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}

⚫
In 1960 and 1961, Newton, along with Graham Kennedy, appeared in the national ''Graham Kennedy's Channel 9 Show'' (a one-night-a-week national version of ''IMT''). In January 1962, the show was cancelled and replaced by the similar ''The Channel 9 Show'', hosted by Newton.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blundell |first=Graeme |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/56913422 |title=King : the life and comedy of Graham Kennedy |date=2003 |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=1-4050-3566-8 |location=Sydney |page=232 |oclc=56913422 |author-link=Graeme Blundell}}</ref>

===1975-92===
From 1975 to mid-1992 Newton mainly appeared on the [[Nine Network]].
From 1975 to mid-1992 Newton mainly appeared on the [[Nine Network]].


Starting in 1975, [[Don Lane]] hosted his own variety show, ''[[The Don Lane Show]]'', on [[Nine Network|Channel 9]]. Newton was cast in the role of sidekick and "barrel boy". He was dubbed "Moonface" on the show, and the nickname stuck. On the show Newton would frequently appear in outlandish costumes, often sending up celebrities. One of the most memorable events on the show was when Newton sent-up [[Demis Roussos]], and Roussos was sent on to the set while Newton was doing the [[impersonation]]. Newton remained on the show until it ended in 1983. {{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
In 1975 Newton was cast in the role of sidekick and "barrel boy" on ''[[The Don Lane Show]]''. He was dubbed "Moonface", and the nickname stuck. Newton frequently appeared in outlandish costumes, often sending up celebrities. Newton memorably sent-up [[Demis Roussos]], who was sent on set while Newton was doing the [[impersonation]]. Newton remained on the show until it ended in 1983. {{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


Newton briefly hosted his own program, ''The Bert Newton Show'', recorded in Sydney for the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]. It was not a success, and he returned to working with Kennedy. {{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
Newton briefly hosted his own program, ''The Bert Newton Show'', recorded for the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]. It was not a success, and he returned to working with Kennedy. {{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


In 1976, Newton replaced long-running compere [[Frank Wilson (Australian actor)|Frank Wilson]] on the Nine Network's amateur talent program ''New Faces''. The show was a success, and lasted until 1985. In 1992, Newton hosted another version of ''New Faces''; however, it did not last for long. {{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
In 1976, Newton replaced long-running compere [[Frank Wilson (Australian actor)|Frank Wilson]] on Nine's amateur talent program ''New Faces''. The show was a success, and lasted until 1985. In 1992, Newton hosted another version of ''New Faces''; however, it did not last for long.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


In 1981, Newton (and wife Patti) presented a quiz show, ''Ford Superquiz'', produced by the [[Reg Grundy]] organisation for the [[Nine Network]]. {{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
In 1981, Newton (and wife Patti) presented a quiz show, ''Ford Superquiz'', produced by the [[Reg Grundy]] organisation for the [[Nine Network]]. {{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


''[[Tonight With Bert Newton]]'' for the [[Nine Network]], was a short-lived attempt to bring back the spirit of IMT. It aired in 1984. {{citation needed|date=November 2021}} ''[[The Bert Newton Show]]'' was created for the [[Seven Network]] in 1989 as an attempt to woo some of the audience away from ''[[The Midday Show]]'' with [[Ray Martin (television presenter)|Ray Martin]]. This, however, didn't rate well and was only on air for that year. It started out lasting one hour with a [[soap opera|soapie]] following it called ''[[The Power, The Passion]]'' (which was an early role for [[Julian McMahon]]) but when that got [[axed]] the show was expanded to an hour and a half. {{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
''[[Tonight with Bert Newton]]'' was a short-lived attempt to bring back the spirit of IMT. It aired in 1984.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} ''The Bert Newton Show'' was created for the [[Seven Network]] in 1989 as an attempt to woo some of the audience away from ''[[Midday (Australian TV program)|The Midday Show]]'' with [[Ray Martin (television presenter)|Ray Martin]]. This, however, didn't rate well and was only on air for that year.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


===1992–2005===
===1992–2005===
In 1992, Newton moved into daytime television as host of ''The Morning Show'', which soon changed title to ''[[Good Morning Australia (1992–2005)|Good Morning Australia]]'' (''GMA'') on [[Network Ten]]. The show revived Newton's celebrity status and was a continuing success for Ten. GMA was a mix of interviews, music, cooking segments featuring Newton's floor manager [[Robert Mascara]], aka "Belvedere", doing the popular taste tests and innuendo, which was primarily ad-libbed. Much of the screen time was dedicated to [[infomercials]]. Unusually for television, the show was broadcast live-to-air on Mondays and Tuesdays, but for the rest of the week live-to-tape (recorded complete and aired later).<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 October 2002 |title=The cult of Bert |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/the-cult-of-bert-20021023-gdfqzl.html |url-status=live |access-date=27 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208222143/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/10/22/1034561493452.html |archive-date=8 December 2007}}</ref>
In 1992, Newton moved into daytime TV as host of ''The Morning Show'', which was soon renamed ''[[Good Morning Australia (1992 TV program)|Good Morning Australia]]'' (''GMA'') on [[Network Ten]]. The show revived Newton's celebrity status and was a continuing success for Ten. ''GMA'' was a mix of interviews, music, cooking segments and [[infomercials]]. It was broadcast live-to-air on Mondays and Tuesdays, but for the rest of the week live-to-tape (recorded complete and aired later).<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 October 2002 |title=The cult of Bert |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/the-cult-of-bert-20021023-gdfqzl.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208222143/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/10/22/1034561493452.html |archive-date=8 December 2007 |access-date=27 August 2007 |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]}}</ref> ''GMA'' was cancelled in late 2005 after a 14-year run. Although Newton was offered ongoing employment at Network Ten, he stated that he would return to the Nine Network in 2006.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 October 2005 |title=Bert Newton says future unclear |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/bert-newton-says-future-unclear-20051028-ge14tr.html |url-access=registration |access-date=11 March 2024 |newspaper=[[The Age]] |publisher=[[Fairfax Media]] |location=Melbourne |language=en-AU}}</ref>

In October 2005, Network Ten announced that the program would be cancelled at the end of the year after a 14-year run. Although Newton was offered ongoing employment at Network Ten, he stated that he would return to the Nine Network in 2006.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


===2006–12===
===2006–12===
After finishing on Network Ten's ''Good Morning Australia'' in late 2005, Newton returned to the Nine Network hosting ''[[Bert's Family Feud]]'', a revised version of ''[[Family Feud]]'', from 2006 and until it was cancelled on 8 May 2007.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
After finishing on ''GMA''. Newton returned to the Nine Network hosting ''[[Bert's Family Feud]]'', a revised version of ''[[Family Feud]]'', from 2006 and until it was cancelled in May 2007.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


From 2006 to 2011, Newton hosted ''[[20 to 1]]'' taking over from [[Bud Tingwell]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} In 2007, Newton hosted the retrospective program ''[[What a Year]]'' with comedian [[Julia Zemiro]], replacing previous hosts [[Mike Munro]] and [[Megan Gale]], which took a light-hearted look at significant events from a chosen year in history.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
From 2006 to 2011, Newton hosted ''[[20 to One|20 to 1]]'' taking over from [[Bud Tingwell]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} In 2007, Newton hosted the retrospective program ''[[What a Year]]'' with comedian [[Julia Zemiro]], replacing previous hosts [[Mike Munro]] and [[Megan Gale]], which took a light-hearted look at significant events from a chosen year in history.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


In 2008 Newton appeared as a celebrity contestant on ''[[Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune]]'' alongside former ''Temptation'' co-host Livinia Nixon and swimmer Dawn Fraser. He won the main game and with $3,235 (including a plasma TV) going to his chosen charity, the International Diabetes Institute.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} On 14 August 2012, Newton appeared as a celebrity contestant on ''[[Millionaire Hot Seat]]'' and won $5,000 for the charity Sids & Kids.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quinn |first=Karl |date=12 August 2012 |title=Bert still has the passion |work=Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/bert-still-has-the-passion-20120812-242nl.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=14 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702122238/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/bert-still-has-the-passion-20120812-242nl.html |archive-date=2 July 2018}}</ref>
In 2008 Newton appeared as a celebrity contestant on ''[[Wheel of Fortune (Australian game show)|Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune]]'' alongside Livinia Nixon and Dawn Fraser. He won the main game, with $3,235 (including a plasma TV) going to his chosen charity, the International Diabetes Institute.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} On 14 August 2012, Newton appeared as a celebrity contestant on ''[[Millionaire Hot Seat]]'' and won $5,000 for the charity Sids & Kids.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quinn |first=Karl |date=12 August 2012 |title=Bert still has the passion |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/bert-still-has-the-passion-20120812-242nl.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702122238/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/bert-still-has-the-passion-20120812-242nl.html |archive-date=2 July 2018 |access-date=14 August 2012 |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]}}</ref>


Newton reputedly received a yearly salary of A$800,000 from Nine during this era.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Vickery |first1=Colin |last2=Devlyn |first2=Darren |date=4 September 2009 |title=Channel Nine stars' salaries to be slashed |work=Herald Sun |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,28383,26024319-10229,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=4 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905010127/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0%2C28383%2C26024319-10229%2C00.html |archive-date=5 September 2009}}</ref>
Newton reputedly received a yearly salary of A$800,000 from Nine during this era.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vickery |first=Colin |last2=Devlyn |first2=Darren |date=4 September 2009 |title=Channel Nine stars' salaries to be slashed |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,28383,26024319-10229,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905010127/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0%2C28383%2C26024319-10229%2C00.html |archive-date=5 September 2009 |access-date=4 September 2009 |newspaper=[[Herald Sun]] |publisher=[[News Limited]] |location=Melbourne}}</ref>


==Theatre roles==
==Theatre==
Newton's stage appearances included Professor Marvel/the Wizard of Oz in ''[[Adaptations of The Wizard of Oz|The Wizard of Oz]]'', Cogsworth in ''[[Beauty and the Beast (musical)|Beauty and the Beast]]'', Franz Liebkind in ''[[The Producers (musical)|The Producers]]'' and Max in ''[[The Sound of Music]]''.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
Newton's stage appearances included Professor Marvel/the Wizard of Oz in ''The Wizard of Oz'', Cogsworth in ''[[Beauty and the Beast (musical)|Beauty and the Beast]]'', Franz Liebkind in ''[[The Producers (musical)|The Producers]]'' and Max in ''[[The Sound of Music]]''.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


In October 2008, it was announced that Newton would be taking over the role of [[Wizard of Oz (character)|The Wizard]] in the Melbourne production of the musical ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]'', after the sudden death of [[Rob Guest]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 November 2008 |title=Bert Is The Wizard! |url=http://www.wickedthemusical.com.au/wicked/News/NewsStory.aspx?id%3D111 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318070336/http://www.wickedthemusical.com.au/wicked/News/NewsStory.aspx?id=111 |archive-date=18 March 2009 |access-date=13 November 2008 |website=Wicked: The Musical}}</ref> He played his first performance on 12 November 2008. The production closed on 9 August 2009 and transferred to Sydney from 12 September 2009. Newton continued to play the role on the national tour, which began in January 2011, opposite [[Lucy Durack]] as Glinda, [[Jemma Rix]] as Elphaba, [[David Harris (Australian actor)|David Harris]] as Fiyero and [[Maggie Kirkpatrick]] as Madame Morrible. In 2011 he was part of the Australian cast performing ''Wicked'' in Singapore. Altogether, Newton had a three-year run in this show.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
From November 2008, Newton took over the role of [[Wizard of Oz (character)|The Wizard]] in the Melbourne production of the musical ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]'', after the sudden death of [[Rob Guest]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 November 2008 |title=Bert Is The Wizard! |url=http://www.wickedthemusical.com.au/wicked/News/NewsStory.aspx?id%3D111 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318070336/http://www.wickedthemusical.com.au/wicked/News/NewsStory.aspx?id=111 |archive-date=18 March 2009 |access-date=13 November 2008 |website=Wicked: The Musical}}</ref> The production transferred to Sydney from September 2009. Newton continued to play the role on the national tour, which began in January 2011, opposite [[Lucy Durack]] as Glinda, [[Jemma Rix]] as Elphaba, [[David Harris (Australian actor)|David Harris]] as Fiyero and [[Maggie Kirkpatrick]] as Madame Morrible. In 2011 he was part of the Australian cast performing ''Wicked'' in Singapore. Altogether, Newton had a three-year run in this show.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


In July 2012 Newton joined the Melbourne cast of ''[[Annie (musical)|Annie]]'' for a few weeks, taking over the role of President Roosevelt from [[Alan Jones (radio broadcaster)|Alan Jones]].
In July 2012 Newton joined the Melbourne cast of ''[[Annie (musical)|Annie]]'' for a few weeks, taking over the role of President Roosevelt from [[Alan Jones (talkback host)|Alan Jones]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bennett |first=Sally |date=24 July 2012 |title=Bert Newton shines on in Annie |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts-books/bert-newton-shines-on-in-annie/story-fn7euh6j-1226434535361 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410014058/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts-books/bert-newton-shines-on-in-annie/story-fn7euh6j-1226434535361 |archive-date=10 April 2013 |access-date=30 March 2013 |newspaper=[[Herald Sun]] |publisher=[[News Limited]] |location=Melbourne}}</ref>
<ref>[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/arts-books/bert-newton-shines-on-in-annie/story-fn7euh6j-1226434535361 "Bert Newton shines on in Annie"], ''Herald Sun'', 24 July 2012, retrieved 30 March 2013.{{dead link |date=April 2021 |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>


In March 2013 it was announced that Newton would be returning to the stage in producer John Frost's production of ''[[Grease (musical)|Grease The Musical]]'' which commenced in August 2013. Newton played disc jockey Vince Fontaine.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cormack |first=Bridget |date=25 March 2013 |title=Bert Newton returning to stage for Grease after heart surgery |work=[[The Australian]] |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/stage/bert-newton-returning-to-stage-for-grease-after-heart-surgery/story-fn9d344c-1226605326398 |url-status=dead |access-date=30 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329010035/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/stage/bert-newton-returning-to-stage-for-grease-after-heart-surgery/story-fn9d344c-1226605326398 |archive-date=29 March 2013}}</ref>
From August 2013 Newton returned to the stage in producer John Frost's production of ''[[Grease (musical)|Grease The Musical]]'', playing disc jockey Vince Fontaine.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cormack |first=Bridget |date=25 March 2013 |title=Bert Newton returning to stage for Grease after heart surgery |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/stage/bert-newton-returning-to-stage-for-grease-after-heart-surgery/story-fn9d344c-1226605326398 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329010035/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/stage/bert-newton-returning-to-stage-for-grease-after-heart-surgery/story-fn9d344c-1226605326398 |archive-date=29 March 2013 |access-date=30 March 2013 |newspaper=[[The Australian]] |publisher=[[News Limited]]}}</ref>


Newton played the narrator in the 2015 Australian production of ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]''.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
Newton played the narrator in the 2015 Australian production of ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cashmere |first=Paul |date=2015-06-15 |title=REVIEW: The Rocky Horror Show 2015 |url=https://www.noise11.com/news/review-the-rocky-horror-show-2015-20150615 |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=Noise11.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Discography==
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
! Title
! Album details
|-
! scope="row" | ''The Bert & Patti Family Album'' <br> (with [[Patti Newton]])
|
* Released: 1977<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bert and Patti Family Album / Bert and Patti Newton|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/version/195809186|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930022720/http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/179888205?q&versionId=195809186|archive-date=30 September 2013|website=Trove|publisher=[[National Library of Australia]]}}</ref>
* Format: [[LP album|LP]]
* Label: Pisces Records (L 27027)
|}

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of singles, with Australian chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:32em;" | Title
! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart<br />positions
|-
! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" | <small>[[Kent Music Report|AUS]]</small><br /><ref name="aus">{{Cite book |last=Kent |first=David |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |publisher=Australian Chart Book |year=1993 |isbn=0-646-11917-6 |edition=illustrated |location=St Ives, N.S.W. |page=216 |author-link=David Kent (historian)}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2" | 1960
! scope="row" | "Letter to Virginia" / "Deck of Cards"
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
|-
! scope="row" | "To a Sleeping Beauty" / "The White Magnolia Tree"
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
|-
|1968
! scope="row" | "The Donkey's Dream" / "Befana and the Three Kings"
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
|-
|1981
! scope="row" | "Bring Back the Spirit of Christmas" <br> (with The Debney Park High School Band)
| style="text-align:center;" | 25
|}


==Filmography==
==Filmography==

===Television===
===Television===
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
Line 136: Line 92:
|-
|-
| 1957
| 1957
| ''[[The Late Show (1950s Australian TV series)|The Late Show]]''
| ''[[The Late Show (1957 TV series)|The Late Show]]''
| Host
| Host
| TV series
| TV series
Line 150: Line 106:
| TV series
| TV series
|-
|-
| 1960–61
| 1960-61
| ''Graham Kennedy's Channel 9 Show''
| ''Graham Kennedy's Channel 9 Show''
| Host
| Host
Line 160: Line 116:
| TV series
| TV series
|-
|-
| 1975–83
| 1975-83
| ''[[The Don Lane Show]]''
| ''[[The Don Lane Show]]''
| Sidekick and "barrel boy"
| Sidekick and "barrel boy"
Line 170: Line 126:
| TV series
| TV series
|-
|-
| 1976–85
| 1976-85
| ''[[New Faces (Australian talent show)|New Faces]]''
| ''[[New Faces (Australian TV series)|New Faces]]''
| Compere
| Compere
| TV talent show series
| TV talent show series
|-
|-
| 1981
| 1981
| ''[[Ford Superquiz]]''
| ''[[Pick a Box#Superquiz|Ford Superquiz]]''
| Presenter (with wife Patti)
| Presenter (with wife Patti)
| TV quiz show series
| TV quiz show series
|-
|-
| 1984
| 1984
| ''[[Tonight With Bert Newton]]''
| ''Tonight With Bert Newton''
| Host
| Host
| TV series
| TV series
Line 190: Line 146:
| TV series
| TV series
|-
|-
| 1992–2005
| 1992-2005
| ''[[Good Morning Australia (1992–2005)|Good Morning Australia]]''
| ''[[Good Morning Australia (1992 TV program)|Good Morning Australia]]''
| Host
| Host
| TV series
| TV series
|-
|-
| 2006–07
| 2006-07
| ''[[Bert's Family Feud]]'
| ''[[Bert's Family Feud]]''
| Host
| Host
| TV game show series
| TV game show series
|-
|-
| 2006–11
| 2006-11
| ''[[20 to 1]]''
| ''[[20 to One|20 to 1]]''
| Host
| Host
| TV series
| TV series
Line 207: Line 163:
| 2007
| 2007
| ''[[What a Year]]''
| ''[[What a Year]]''
| Host (with [[Julia Zemiro]])
| Host (with [[Julia Zemiro]])
| TV series
| TV series
|-
|-
| 2008
| 2008
| ''[[Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune]]''
| ''[[Wheel of Fortune (Australian game show)|Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune]]''
| Celebrity contestant
| Celebrity contestant
| TV game show series
| TV game show series
Line 257: Line 213:
! scope="row" | ''The Bert & Patti Family Album'' <br> (with [[Patti Newton]])
! scope="row" | ''The Bert & Patti Family Album'' <br> (with [[Patti Newton]])
|
|
* Released: 1977<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bert and Patti Family Album / Bert and Patti Newton|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/version/195809186|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930022720/http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/179888205?q&versionId=195809186|archive-date=30 September 2013|website=Trove|publisher=[[National Library of Australia]]}}</ref>
* Released: 1977<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bert and Patti Family Album / Bert and Patti Newton |url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/version/195809186 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930022720/http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/179888205?q&versionId=195809186 |archive-date=30 September 2013 |website=Trove |publisher=[[National Library of Australia]]}}</ref>
* Format: [[LP album|LP]]
* Format: [[LP album|LP]]
* Label: Pisces Records (L 27027)
* Label: Pisces Records (L 27027)
Line 269: Line 225:
! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart<br />positions
! scope="col" colspan="1" | Peak chart<br />positions
|-
|-
! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" | <small>[[Kent Music Report|AUS]]</small><br /><ref name="aus">{{Cite book |last=Kent |first=David |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |publisher=Australian Chart Book |year=1993 |isbn=0-646-11917-6 |edition=illustrated |location=St Ives, N.S.W. |page=216 |author-link=David Kent (historian)}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" | <small>[[Kent Music Report|AUS]]</small><br /><ref name="aus">{{Cite book |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |publisher=Australian Chart Book |year=1993 |isbn=0-646-11917-6 |edition=illustrated |location=St Ives, N.S.W. |page=216}}</ref>
|-
|-
|rowspan="2" | 1960
|rowspan="2" | 1960
Line 288: Line 244:


==Writing==
==Writing==

===Books===
===Books===
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
Line 297: Line 252:
| 1979
| 1979
| ''Bert!: Bert Newton's Own Story''
| ''Bert!: Bert Newton's Own Story''
| Autobiography<ref>{{cite book |last1=Newton |first1=Bert |title=Bert! : Bert Newton's own story. |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1180738 |website=National Library of Australia |year=1977 |publisher=Garry Sparke & Associates |isbn=9780908081240 |access-date=25 July 2022}}</ref>
| Autobiography<ref>{{Cite book |last=Newton |first=Bert |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1180738 |title=Bert! : Bert Newton's own story. |publisher=Garry Sparke & Associates |year=1977 |isbn=9780908081240 |access-date=25 July 2022 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
|}
|}


==Logies==
==Logies==

===Awards and nominations===
===Awards and nominations===
Newton was an institution of the [[Logie Award]]s since the awards since 1959. He was nominated for many Logie Awards and won several:
Newton was an institution of the [[Logie Award]]s since the awards since 1959. He was nominated for many Logie Awards and won several:
Line 335: Line 289:
| Gold Logie
| Gold Logie
| ''New Faces''
| ''New Faces''
| {{Won}}
| {{Won}}
|-bgcolor=gold
|-bgcolor=gold
| Logie Award's
| Logie Award's
Line 370: Line 324:
| 2007
| 2007
| Gold Logie
| Gold Logie
| 20 tO 1 and Berts Family Feud
| 20 to One and Bert's Family Feud
| {{nominated}}
| {{nominated}}
|-bgcolor=gold
|-bgcolor=gold
Line 382: Line 336:


===Hosting===
===Hosting===
Newton hosted the [[Logie Awards]] ceremony on 19 occasions: 1968–1980, 1982, 1984, 1989, 1993 and 2010, and co-host in 2006. He holds the record for both the most Logies hosted and the most Logies hosted in a continuous run. Some notable moments of his hosting include:
Newton hosted the [[Logie Awards]] ceremony on 19 occasions: 1968–1980, 1982, 1984, 1989, 1993 and 2010, and co-host in 2006. He holds the record for both the most Logies hosted and the most Logies hosted in a continuous run. Some notable moments of his hosting include:


* At the 1979 Logies awards Newton said to [[Muhammad Ali]] "I like the boy", not knowing that "boy" could be taken as a racial slur. Ali responded "Did he call me Roy?" and members of the audience, including Don Lane, shouted to Newton to say "Yes—''Roy!''". Newton looked puzzled and later explained to the media that he did not realise that "boy" was used as a racial slur. Ali at least realised Newton's use was unintended and they literally kissed and made up later on.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWKyDGGptA4 |title=Muhammad Ali at Australian TV Awards show. (1978-ish) |date=20 May 2009 |last=vbvbvb088 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gardiner |first=Stephanie |date=26 January 2012 |title=The social kiss: plain cheek or what? |work=The Age |publisher=Fairfax |url=http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/the-social-kiss-plain-cheek-or-what-20120126-1qis6.html?rand=1327636086497 |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=29 January 2012}}</ref> Immediately after the incident, Newton lightened the tension of the incident by saying: "I'll change my name, my religion ... anything", referring to Ali's change of name from [[Cassius Clay]] when he adopted [[Islam]] in 1964, and proceeding to shake his hands in feigned nervousness. "I like the boy" was a catchphrase Newton had previous used on a commercial playing [[Colonel Sanders]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Australian entertainment icon Bert Newton dies aged 83 {{!}} 9 News Australia|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4lVuQDyMmE|language=en|access-date=2021-10-30}}</ref>
* At the 1979 Logies awards Newton said to [[Muhammad Ali]], "I like the boy", not knowing that "boy" could be taken as a racial slur. Ali responded "Did he call me Roy?" and members of the audience, including Don Lane, shouted to Newton to say "Yes—''Roy!''". Newton looked puzzled and later explained to the media that he did not realise that "boy" was used as a racial slur. Ali realised Newton's use was meant endearingly and they literally kissed and made up later on.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWKyDGGptA4 |title=Muhammad Ali at Australian TV Awards show. (1978-ish) |date=20 May 2009 |last=vbvbvb088 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gardiner |first=Stephanie |date=26 January 2012 |title=The social kiss: plain cheek or what? |url=http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/the-social-kiss-plain-cheek-or-what-20120126-1qis6.html?rand=1327636086497 |url-access=limited |access-date=29 January 2012 |newspaper=[[The Age]] |publisher=[[Fairfax Media]] |location=Melbourne}}</ref> Immediately after the incident, Newton lightened the tension of the incident by saying: "I'll change my name, my religion ... anything", referring to Ali's change of name from [[Cassius Clay]] when he adopted [[Islam]] in 1964, and proceeding to shake his hands in feigned nervousness. "I like the boy" was a catchphrase Newton had previous used on a commercial playing [[Colonel Sanders]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4lVuQDyMmE |title=Australian entertainment icon Bert Newton dies aged 83 {{!}} 9 News Australia |date=30 October 2021 |language=en |publisher=Nine News |access-date=2021-10-30 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
* In 1973, American actor [[Michael Cole (actor)|Michael Cole]], best known for his role in the TV series ''[[The Mod Squad]]'', accepted an award while obviously drunk and ended his barely coherent thank-you speech with the word "shit",<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blundell |first=Graeme |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/863337438 |title=Bert: The Story of Australia's Favourite TV Star |date=2014 |publisher=Hachette Australia |isbn=978-0-7336-3164-1 |edition=First |location=Sydney, N.S.W. |page=165 |oclc=863337438 |author-link=Graeme Blundell}}</ref> to which Newton, after a classic pause, merely added 'congratulations'.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
* In 1973, American actor [[Michael Cole (actor)|Michael Cole]], best known for his role in the TV series ''[[The Mod Squad]]'', accepted an award while obviously drunk and ended his barely coherent thank-you speech with the word "shit",<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blundell |first=Graeme |author-link=Graeme Blundell |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/863337438 |title=Bert: The Story of Australia's Favourite TV Star |date=2014 |publisher=Hachette Australia |isbn=978-0-7336-3164-1 |edition=First |location=Sydney, N.S.W. |page=165 |oclc=863337438}}</ref> to which Newton, after a classic pause, merely added 'congratulations'.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
* In 2006, after the awards, he had a fall and injured himself. The injury was visible for a number of ''Bert's Family Feud'' episodes.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
* In 2006, after the awards, he had a fall and injured himself. The injury was visible for a number of ''Bert's Family Feud'' episodes.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


==Honours==
==Honours==
[[File:2014 Moomba Parade (60th Anniversary) Melbourne (13054867724).jpg|thumb|[[Moomba]] monarchs for 2014 – [[Lucy Durack]] and Newton]]
[[File:2014 Moomba Parade (60th Anniversary) Melbourne (13054867724).jpg|thumb|[[Moomba Festival|Moomba]] monarchs for 2014 – [[Lucy Durack]] and Newton]]
Newton was appointed a [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] in 1979, for his service to the performing arts.<ref>{{Cite It's an Honour |ausawardid=1086792 |recipient=Newton, Bert |award=The Order of the British Empire - Member (Civil) (Imperial) |postnominal=MBE |citation=Performing arts |access-date=25 April 2021}}</ref>
Newton was appointed a [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] in 1979, for his service to the performing arts.<ref>{{Cite It's an Honour |ausawardid=1086792 |recipient=Newton, Bert |award=The Order of the British Empire - Member (Civil) (Imperial) |postnominal=MBE |citation=Performing arts |access-date=25 April 2021}}</ref>


On 12 June 2006, he was made a [[Member of the Order of Australia]] "for service to the entertainment industry as a presenter, actor, comedian, and through support for a range of medical research and charitable organisations".<ref>{{Cite It's an Honour |ausawardid=1132951 |recipient=Newton, Albert |award=Member of the Order of Australia |postnominal=AM |citation=For service to the entertainment industry as a presenter, actor and comedian, and through support for a range of medical research and charitable organisations |access-date=25 April 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Order of Australia (AM) award |url=http://www.gg.gov.au/res/File/PDFs/honours/qb06/Media%20Notes%20AM(J-Z).pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228140505/http://www.gg.gov.au/res/File/PDFs/honours/qb06/Media%20Notes%20AM%28J-Z%29.pdf |archive-date=28 February 2008 |access-date=18 December 2007 |website=Governor General of Australia |page=24}}</ref>
On 12 June 2006, he was made a [[Member of the Order of Australia]] "for service to the entertainment industry as a presenter, actor, comedian, and through support for a range of medical research and charitable organisations".<ref>{{Cite It's an Honour |ausawardid=1132951 |recipient=Newton, Albert |award=Member of the Order of Australia |postnominal=AM |citation=For service to the entertainment industry as a presenter, actor and comedian, and through support for a range of medical research and charitable organisations |access-date=25 April 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Order of Australia (AM) award |url=http://www.gg.gov.au/res/File/PDFs/honours/qb06/Media%20Notes%20AM(J-Z).pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228140505/http://www.gg.gov.au/res/File/PDFs/honours/qb06/Media%20Notes%20AM%28J-Z%29.pdf |archive-date=28 February 2008 |access-date=18 December 2007 |website=Governor General of Australia |page=24}}</ref>


Newton was the first Melbourne-born [[Moomba|King of Moomba]] in 1978.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bellamy |first1=Craig |last2=Chisholm |first2=Gordon |last3=Eriksen |first3=Hilary |date=17 February 2006 |title=Moomba: A festival for the people |url=http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/PDFs/Moomba/History%20of%20Moomba.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028203816/http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/PDFs/Moomba/History%20of%20Moomba.pdf |archive-date=28 October 2009 |access-date=25 March 2011 |website=City of Melbourne |page=5}}</ref>
Newton was the first Melbourne-born [[Moomba Festival|King of Moomba]] in 1978.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bellamy |first=Craig |last2=Chisholm |first2=Gordon |last3=Eriksen |first3=Hilary |date=17 February 2006 |title=Moomba: A festival for the people |url=http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/PDFs/Moomba/History%20of%20Moomba.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028203816/http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/PDFs/Moomba/History%20of%20Moomba.pdf |archive-date=28 October 2009 |access-date=25 March 2011 |website=City of Melbourne |page=5}}</ref>


A song called "For Bert" was written by GTV-9's musical director [[Brian Rangott]]. The lyrics include:{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
A song called "For Bert" was written by GTV-9's musical director [[Brian Rangott]]. The lyrics include:{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
Line 405: Line 359:
:I do for Bert!
:I do for Bert!


In 1997 Newton was the subject of a ''[[This Is Your Life (Australian TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' tribute. His wife Patti was honoured with her own tribute in 2001.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
In 1997, Newton was the subject of a ''[[This Is Your Life (Australian TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' tribute. His wife Patti was honoured with her own tribute in 2001.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


''The Best of Bert Newton'' was aired in 2002. ''Channel Nine Salutes Bert Newton'' was broadcast in early 2004, depicting the career of Newton from his earliest days.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
''The Best of Bert Newton'' was aired in 2002. ''Channel Nine Salutes Bert Newton'' was broadcast in early 2004, depicting the career of Newton from his earliest days.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


In 2001 he was awarded the [[Centenary Medal]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
In 2001, he was awarded the [[Centenary Medal]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


Show business awards include a [[Mo Award]] (1995),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moawards.com.au/awardwinners|title=MO Award Winners|website=Mo Awards|access-date=16 March 2022}}</ref> two [[Television Society of Australia]] awards (1981 and 1983), three [[Penguin Award|Penguin Citation]]s and three [[Pater Award|Pater]] (Professional Excellence in Television and Radio Arts and Sciences) awards for radio.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
Show business awards include a [[Mo Award]] (1995),<ref>{{Cite web |title=MO Award Winners |url=https://www.moawards.com.au/awardwinners |access-date=16 March 2022 |website=Mo Awards}}</ref> two [[Television Society of Australia]] awards (1981 and 1983), three [[Penguin Award|Penguin Citation]]s and three [[Pater Award|Pater]] (Professional Excellence in Television and Radio Arts and Sciences) awards for radio.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


To celebrate the 50th anniversary of television in Australia, Channel 9 ran a show titled ''[[50 Years 50 Stars|50 Years, 50 Stars]]'', where they looked back at the top 50 stars of Australian television. Newton was listed as the No. 1 Australian TV star of the past 50 years.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of television in Australia, Channel 9 ran a show titled ''[[50 Years 50 Stars|50 Years, 50 Stars]]'', where they looked back at the top 50 stars of Australian television. Newton was listed as the No. 1 Australian TV star of the past 50 years.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


On 1 July 2008, Newton was named Victorian of the Year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 July 2008 |title=Bert Newton named Victorian of the Year |work=[[Herald Sun]] |agency=AAP |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23951323-2862,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=1 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310092620/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23951323-2862,00.html |archive-date=10 March 2009}}</ref>
On 1 July 2008, Newton was named Victorian of the Year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 July 2008 |title=Bert Newton named Victorian of the Year |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23951323-2862,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310092620/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23951323-2862,00.html |archive-date=10 March 2009 |access-date=1 July 2008 |newspaper=[[Herald Sun]] |publisher=[[News Limited]] |agency=AAP}}</ref>


On 23 July 2008, Channel 9 marked Newton's 70th birthday with a one-hour special of ''This Is Your Life'' hosted by [[Mike Munro]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
On 23 July 2008, Channel 9 marked Newton's 70th birthday with a one-hour special of ''This Is Your Life'' hosted by [[Mike Munro]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
In 2018, he was honoured by [[Australia Post]] in a series of issued stamps called the Australian Legends series that features stars from Australian television.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Australia Legends 2018 |url=https://shop.auspost.com.au/stamp-and-coin-collections/australia-legends-2018 |website=[[Australia Post]]}}{{dead link |date=April 2021 |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
In 2018, he was honoured by [[Australia Post]] in a series of issued stamps called the Australian Legends series that features stars from Australian television.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 January 2018 |title=Legends of TV Entertainment 2018 |url=https://australiapostcollectables.com.au/stamp-issues/australian-legends-2018 |access-date=11 March 2024 |website=[[Australia Post]]}}</ref>


Two weeks after his death, on 12 November 2021, Newton was given a Victorian state funeral, conducted at [[St_Patrick's_Cathedral,_Melbourne|St. Patrick’s Cathedral]] in [[Melbourne]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Bert Newton farewelled by Melbourne mourners at Victorian state funeral |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |url= https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-12/bert-newton-melbourne-state-funeral-tv-icon-victoria |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
Two weeks after his death, on 12 November 2021, Newton was given a Victorian state funeral, conducted at [[St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne|St. Patrick's Cathedral]] in [[Melbourne]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Murray-Atfield |first=Yara |date=12 November 2021 |title=Bert Newton, a legend of Australian entertainment, farewelled at state funeral |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-12/bert-newton-farewelled-at-victorian-state-funeral/100615150 |access-date=12 November 2021 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
==Personal life==
In 1974, Newton married [[Patti McGrath]] with whom he worked on television.<ref name="perslife">{{Cite web |title=Bert Newton |url=http://www.mediaman.com.au/profiles/newton.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015051229/http://www.mediaman.com.au/profiles/newton.html |archive-date=15 October 2009 |access-date=22 October 2009 |website=Media Man}}</ref> The Newtons had two children, son [[Matthew Newton|Matthew]] and daughter Lauren. Matthew Newton is an actor who has appeared in a number of Australian films and television dramas.<ref name="perslife" /> Lauren Newton married swimmer [[Matt Welsh]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
In 1974, Newton married [[Patti McGrath]] with whom he worked on television.<ref name="perslife">{{Cite web |title=Bert Newton |url=http://www.mediaman.com.au/profiles/newton.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015051229/http://www.mediaman.com.au/profiles/newton.html |archive-date=15 October 2009 |access-date=22 October 2009 |website=Media Man}}</ref> The Newtons had two children, son [[Matthew Newton|Matthew]] and daughter Lauren. Matthew Newton is an actor who has appeared in a number of Australian films and television dramas.<ref name="perslife" /> Lauren Newton married swimmer [[Matt Welsh]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


In 1993, a gambling problem led Newton to near bankruptcy and a $1 million debt.<ref name="bankruptcy">{{Cite news |last=Courtis |first=Brian |date=30 May 2002 |title=Back to Bert |work=[[The Age]] |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/05/30/1022569806025.html |url-status=live |access-date=30 May 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030226135013/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/05/30/1022569806025.html |archive-date=26 February 2003}}</ref>
In 1993, a gambling problem led Newton to near bankruptcy and a $1 million debt.<ref name="bankruptcy">{{Cite news |last=Courtis |first=Brian |date=30 May 2002 |title=Back to Bert |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/05/30/1022569806025.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030226135013/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/05/30/1022569806025.html |archive-date=26 February 2003 |access-date=30 May 2002 |newspaper=[[The Age]] |publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]}}</ref>


In 2020, Newton was the subject of an episode of ''[[Who Do You Think You Are? (Australian TV series)|Who Do You Think You Are?]]'' which focused primarily on his father and maternal grandparents. The episode first aired on 26 May 2020.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}
In 2020, Newton was the subject of an episode of ''[[Who Do You Think You Are? (Australian TV series)|Who Do You Think You Are?]]'' which focused primarily on his father and maternal grandparents. The episode first aired on 26 May 2020.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


===Health and death===
===Health and death===
In November 2012, Newton underwent quadruple [[heart bypass surgery]], having been admitted to hospital twice in the twelve months prior.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gough |first1=Deborah |last2=Wells |first2=Rachel |date=24 November 2012 |title='Not a pretty sight': Newton in intensive care after heart surgery |work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]] |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/bert-newton-undergoes-major-heart-surgery-20121123-29yaj.html |url-status=live |access-date=24 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128042503/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/not-a-pretty-sight-newton-in-intensive-care-after-heart-surgery-20121123-29yaj.html |archive-date=28 November 2012}}</ref>
In November 2012, Newton underwent quadruple [[heart bypass surgery]], having been admitted to hospital twice in the twelve months prior.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Gough |first1=Deborah |last2=Wells |first2=Rachel |date=24 November 2012 |title='Not a pretty sight': Newton in intensive care after heart surgery |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/bert-newton-undergoes-major-heart-surgery-20121123-29yaj.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128042503/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/not-a-pretty-sight-newton-in-intensive-care-after-heart-surgery-20121123-29yaj.html |archive-date=28 November 2012 |access-date=24 November 2012 |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]}}</ref>


Newton was admitted to [[Epworth Hospital]] several times for pneumonia recovery in March and April 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Dennehy |first1=Luke |last2=Argoon |first2=Ashley |date=29 April 2017 |title=Bert Newton on the mend in hospital as he recovers from pneumonia |work=[[Herald Sun]] |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/bert-newton-on-the-mend-in-hospital-as-he-recovers-from-pneumonia/news-story/6c69c491a0ea387be2b2e7e4be95d0bd |url-access=subscription |access-date=9 July 2020}}</ref>
Newton was admitted to [[Epworth Hospital]] several times for pneumonia recovery in March and April 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Dennehy |first1=Luke |last2=Argoon |first2=Ashley |date=29 April 2017 |title=Bert Newton on the mend in hospital as he recovers from pneumonia |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/bert-newton-on-the-mend-in-hospital-as-he-recovers-from-pneumonia/news-story/6c69c491a0ea387be2b2e7e4be95d0bd |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240311070952/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/bert-newton-on-the-mend-in-hospital-as-he-recovers-from-pneumonia/news-story/6c69c491a0ea387be2b2e7e4be95d0bd?amp&nk=d62d13f3b9e78d2052df1d0902ad9941-1710141001 |archive-date=11 March 2024 |access-date=9 July 2020 |newspaper=[[Herald Sun]] |publisher=[[News Corp Australia]] |location=Melbourne}}</ref>


Newton had a toe infection in late 2020 and, due to complications treating this, one of his legs was amputated below the knee in May 2021.<ref name="McMillan">{{cite news |last1=McMillan |first1=Ashleigh |title=Bert Newton has leg amputated after toe infection |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/bert-newton-has-leg-amputated-after-toe-infection-20210510-p57qd0.html |access-date=10 May 2021 |work=THE Age |date=10 May 2021}}</ref> He died in Prahran, Victoria, on 30 October 2021, aged 83.<ref>[https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/victoria/australian-tv-icon-bert-newton-has-died-after-a-long-health-battle/news-story/e06886ba245582f3abb81e2cca125c58 Australian TV icon Bert Newton has died after a long health battle]</ref>
Newton had a toe infection in late 2020 and, due to complications treating this, one of his legs was amputated below the knee in May 2021.<ref name="McMillan">{{Cite news |last=McMillan |first=Ashleigh |date=10 May 2021 |title=Bert Newton has leg amputated after toe infection |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/bert-newton-has-leg-amputated-after-toe-infection-20210510-p57qd0.html |url-access=limited |access-date=10 May 2021 |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |publisher=[[Nine Entertainment]]}}</ref> He died in Prahran, Victoria, on 30 October 2021, aged 83.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Byrne |first=Fiona |date=31 October 2021 |title=Australian TV icon Bert Newton has died after a long health battle |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/victoria/australian-tv-icon-bert-newton-has-died-after-a-long-health-battle/news-story/e06886ba245582f3abb81e2cca125c58 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211031050929/https://amp.adelaidenow.com.au/news/victoria/australian-tv-icon-bert-newton-has-died-after-a-long-health-battle/news-story/e06886ba245582f3abb81e2cca125c58 |archive-date=31 October 2021 |access-date=11 March 2024 |newspaper=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] |publisher=[[News Corp Australia]] |location=Adelaide}}</ref>
He is interred at the Cedars section of the Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne.
He is interred at the Cedars section of the Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne.


== Further reading ==
==Further reading==
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
| first = Bert
| first = Bert
Line 465: Line 419:
| title = The Don Lane story
| title = The Don Lane story
| publisher = New Holland Publishers
| publisher = New Holland Publishers
| location = Frenchs Forest, NSW
| location = Frenchs Forest, NSW
}}
}}


* {{cite book|year=2007|title=Laugh Even Louder!|author=Camp Quality|publisher=[[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic Australia Pty Limited]]|location=Gosford, New South Wales|contributor-last=Newton|contributor-first=Bert|contribution=Contributor|isbn=978-1-74169-022-4|author-link=Camp Quality}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Camp Quality |title=Laugh Even Louder! |date=2007 |publisher=[[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic Australia Pty Limited]] |isbn=978-1-74169-022-4 |location=Gosford, New South Wales |page=1 |author-link=Camp Quality}}</ref>
* {{cite book|year=2007|title=Laugh Even Louder!|author=Camp Quality|publisher=[[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic Australia Pty Limited]]|location=Gosford, New South Wales|contributor-last=Newton|contributor-first=Bert|contribution=Contributor|isbn=978-1-74169-022-4|author-link=Camp Quality}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Camp Quality |title=Laugh Even Louder! |date=2007 |publisher=[[Scholastic Corporation|Scholastic Australia Pty Limited]] |isbn=978-1-74169-022-4 |location=Gosford, New South Wales |page=1 |author-link=Camp Quality}}</ref>


== References ==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb name|0628465|name=Bert Newton}}
* {{IMDb name|0628465|name=Bert Newton}}
* {{Discogs artist|Bert Newton}}
* {{Discogs artist|Bert Newton}}
*{{cite web|url=http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/bulletin/EdDesk.nsf/printing/6E12EE1A3813C34FCA256D55001A9074 |title=Patrick Carlyon profiles Bert Newton |access-date=17 March 2005 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060308231540/http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/bulletin/EdDesk.nsf/printing/6E12EE1A3813C34FCA256D55001A9074 |archive-date=8 March 2006}}, 12 October 2003, ''[[The Bulletin (Australian periodical)|The Bulletin]]''
*{{cite web|url=http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/bulletin/EdDesk.nsf/printing/6E12EE1A3813C34FCA256D55001A9074 |title=Patrick Carlyon profiles Bert Newton |access-date=17 March 2005 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060308231540/http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/bulletin/EdDesk.nsf/printing/6E12EE1A3813C34FCA256D55001A9074 |archive-date=8 March 2006}}, 12 October 2003, ''[[The Bulletin (Australian periodical)|The Bulletin]]''
* [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/05/30/1022569806025.html Back to Bert], [[The Age]], May 30 2002
* [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/05/30/1022569806025.html Back to Bert], [[The Age]], May 30, 2002
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050320105803/http://www.abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_future/Transcripts/s855811.htm Bert Newton and the history of Australian TV], [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050320105803/http://www.abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_future/Transcripts/s855811.htm Bert Newton and the history of Australian TV], [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]
* [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/12/1089484283882.html?from=storyrhs Revenge of the second banana], [[Sydney Morning Herald]], July 12, 2004
* [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/12/1089484283882.html?from=storyrhs Revenge of the second banana], [[Sydney Morning Herald]], July 12, 2004
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{{Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television}}
{{Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television}}
{{Logie Awards hosts}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Gold Logie winners]]
[[Category:Gold Logie winners]]
[[Category:Australian game show hosts]]
[[Category:Australian game show hosts]]
⚫
[[Category:Australian radio personalities]]
[[Category:Australian male stage actors]]
[[Category:Australian male stage actors]]
[[Category:Australian male film actors]]
[[Category:Australian male film actors]]
[[Category:Australian Members of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Australian Members of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Centenary Medal]]
[[Category:Australian Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Australian Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Radio personalities from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Radio personalities from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Australian amputees]]
[[Category:Australian amputees]]
[[Category:Television personalities with disabilities]]
[[Category:People from Fitzroy, Victoria]]
[[Category:People from Fitzroy, Victoria]]
⚫
[[Category:Australian male comedians]]
[[Category:Comedians from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Male actors from Melbourne]]

Latest revision as of 10:32, 19 November 2024

Bert Newton
AM MBE
Newton in 2013
Born
Albert Watson Newton

(1938-07-23)23 July 1938
Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
Died30 October 2021(2021-10-30) (aged 83)
Prahran, Victoria, Australia
Occupations
  • Television personality
  • television host
  • radio presenter
  • theatre actor
Years active1951–2015
Known for
Spouse
​
(m. 1974)​
Children2, including Matthew

Albert Watson Newton AM MBE (23 July 1938 – 30 October 2021) was an Australian media personality. He was a Logie Hall of Fame inductee, quadruple Gold Logie–winning entertainer, and radio, theatre, and television personality and compère.

Newton was known for his collaborations opposite Graham Kennedy and subsequently Don Lane on their respective variety shows, and appearances with his wife, singer Patti Newton.

Newton started his career in radio broadcasting, primarily as an announcer, before becoming a star and fixture of Australian television since its inception in 1956, and was considered both an industry pioneer icon and one of the longest-serving television performers in the world.

Newton was known for his association with both the Nine Network and Ten Network on numerous variety shows, including In Melbourne Tonight, New Faces, Good Morning Australia, 20 to 1, and game show Bert's Family Feud.

Early life

[edit]

Newton was born in Fitzroy, an inner suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, to Joseph (Joe) and Gladys Newton. He had three brothers (Tom, Jack, and Bob) and two sisters (Alice and Elizabeth). He was educated at St Joseph's Marist Brothers Roman Catholic college. In his early years, he had thoughts of entering the priesthood and remained an active Roman Catholic.[citation needed]

Radio

[edit]

Newton's first paid radio appearance was as a schoolboy on Melbourne radio station 3XY on 10 June 1952, doing advertisements dressed as a clown with Doug McKenzie, who later became Zag in Zig and Zag.[citation needed]

"... there was a radio program on 3XY Melbourne called Scouting Around, compered by the late Tom Jones. One week, the broadcast was recorded at our Scout Hall, and as the direct result of this, I began to appear on 3XY."[1][failed verification]

This led to regular appearances on a Saturday morning children's show, in which he worked with disc jockey Stan Rofe and McKenzie.[citation needed]

In May 1954, 3XY employed him as a junior announcer (aged 15); by 1955, he was presenting Melbourne Speaks, a vox pop program recorded on the streets of Melbourne's CBD.[citation needed] After GTV-9 purchased 3AK in April 1961, all GTV-9 personalities were expected to present programs on 3AK. Graham Kennedy and Newton hosted a two-hour morning program.[citation needed] He began a morning program on 3UZ in 1976. The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd appointed Newton as general manager of 3DB in 1986, which he combined with on-air appearances until 1988.[citation needed]

Television

[edit]

Early television career

[edit]

Newton began his television career in 1957 at Melbourne's HSV-7, hosting The Late Show.[2][page needed] Newton left for GTV-9 in early 1959 to host In Melbourne Today.[2] After appearing in a live commercial on In Melbourne Tonight with his friend Graham Kennedy in 1959, he began to make regular appearances on the show and assumed hosting duties on some episodes. This began a lifelong association with Kennedy.[citation needed]

From 1959 to 1960, he hosted The Bert Newton Show (later retitled Hi-Fi Club) on GTV-9, a series aimed at teenagers.[citation needed]

From 1960 to 1961, Newton appeared in the national Graham Kennedy's Channel 9 Show (a weekly national version of IMT). In January 1962, the show was cancelled and replaced by the similar The Channel 9 Show, hosted by Newton.[2]

1975–92

[edit]

From 1975 to mid-1992 Newton mainly appeared on the Nine Network.

In 1975 Newton was cast in the role of sidekick and "barrel boy" on The Don Lane Show. He was dubbed "Moonface", and the nickname stuck. Newton frequently appeared in outlandish costumes, often sending up celebrities. Newton memorably sent-up Demis Roussos, who was sent on set while Newton was doing the impersonation. Newton remained on the show until it ended in 1983. [citation needed]

Newton briefly hosted his own program, The Bert Newton Show, recorded for the ABC. It was not a success, and he returned to working with Kennedy. [citation needed]

In 1976, Newton replaced long-running compere Frank Wilson on Nine's amateur talent program New Faces. The show was a success, and lasted until 1985. In 1992, Newton hosted another version of New Faces; however, it did not last for long.[citation needed]

In 1981, Newton (and wife Patti) presented a quiz show, Ford Superquiz, produced by the Reg Grundy organisation for the Nine Network. [citation needed]

Tonight with Bert Newton was a short-lived attempt to bring back the spirit of IMT. It aired in 1984.[citation needed] The Bert Newton Show was created for the Seven Network in 1989 as an attempt to woo some of the audience away from The Midday Show with Ray Martin. This, however, didn't rate well and was only on air for that year.[citation needed]

1992–2005

[edit]

In 1992, Newton moved into daytime TV as host of The Morning Show, which was soon renamed Good Morning Australia (GMA) on Network Ten. The show revived Newton's celebrity status and was a continuing success for Ten. GMA was a mix of interviews, music, cooking segments and infomercials. It was broadcast live-to-air on Mondays and Tuesdays, but for the rest of the week live-to-tape (recorded complete and aired later).[3] GMA was cancelled in late 2005 after a 14-year run. Although Newton was offered ongoing employment at Network Ten, he stated that he would return to the Nine Network in 2006.[4]

2006–12

[edit]

After finishing on GMA. Newton returned to the Nine Network hosting Bert's Family Feud, a revised version of Family Feud, from 2006 and until it was cancelled in May 2007.[citation needed]

From 2006 to 2011, Newton hosted 20 to 1 taking over from Bud Tingwell.[citation needed] In 2007, Newton hosted the retrospective program What a Year with comedian Julia Zemiro, replacing previous hosts Mike Munro and Megan Gale, which took a light-hearted look at significant events from a chosen year in history.[citation needed]

In 2008 Newton appeared as a celebrity contestant on Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune alongside Livinia Nixon and Dawn Fraser. He won the main game, with $3,235 (including a plasma TV) going to his chosen charity, the International Diabetes Institute.[citation needed] On 14 August 2012, Newton appeared as a celebrity contestant on Millionaire Hot Seat and won $5,000 for the charity Sids & Kids.[5]

Newton reputedly received a yearly salary of A$800,000 from Nine during this era.[6]

Theatre

[edit]

Newton's stage appearances included Professor Marvel/the Wizard of Oz in The Wizard of Oz, Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, Franz Liebkind in The Producers and Max in The Sound of Music.[citation needed]

From November 2008, Newton took over the role of The Wizard in the Melbourne production of the musical Wicked, after the sudden death of Rob Guest.[7] The production transferred to Sydney from September 2009. Newton continued to play the role on the national tour, which began in January 2011, opposite Lucy Durack as Glinda, Jemma Rix as Elphaba, David Harris as Fiyero and Maggie Kirkpatrick as Madame Morrible. In 2011 he was part of the Australian cast performing Wicked in Singapore. Altogether, Newton had a three-year run in this show.[citation needed]

In July 2012 Newton joined the Melbourne cast of Annie for a few weeks, taking over the role of President Roosevelt from Alan Jones.[8]

From August 2013 Newton returned to the stage in producer John Frost's production of Grease The Musical, playing disc jockey Vince Fontaine.[9]

Newton played the narrator in the 2015 Australian production of The Rocky Horror Show.[10]

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Type
1957 The Late Show Host TV series
1959 In Melbourne Today Host TV series
1959–60 The Bert Newton Show (later retitled Hi-Fi Club) Host TV series
1960–61 Graham Kennedy's Channel 9 Show Host TV series
1962 The Channel 9 Show Host TV series
1975–83 The Don Lane Show Sidekick and "barrel boy" TV series
The Bert Newton Show Host TV series
1976–85 New Faces Compere TV talent show series
1981 Ford Superquiz Presenter (with wife Patti) TV quiz show series
1984 Tonight With Bert Newton Host TV series
1989 The Bert Newton Show Host TV series
1992–2005 Good Morning Australia Host TV series
2006–07 Bert's Family Feud Host TV game show series
2006–11 20 to 1 Host TV series
2007 What a Year Host (with Julia Zemiro) TV series
2008 Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune Celebrity contestant TV game show series
2012 Millionaire Hot Seat Celebrity contestant TV game show series

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Type
1981 Doctors & Nurses Mr. Cody Feature film [citation needed]
1980 Fatty Finn Mr. Finn Feature film [citation needed]
2003 The Wannabes Himself Feature film [citation needed]
2007 Remembering Nigel The Agent Film [citation needed]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details
The Bert & Patti Family Album
(with Patti Newton)
  • Released: 1977[11]
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Pisces Records (L 27027)

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, with Australian chart positions
Year Title Peak chart
positions
AUS
[12]
1960 "Letter to Virginia" / "Deck of Cards" —
"To a Sleeping Beauty" / "The White Magnolia Tree" —
1968 "The Donkey's Dream" / "Befana and the Three Kings" —
1981 "Bring Back the Spirit of Christmas"
(with The Debney Park High School Band) 		25

Writing

[edit]

Books

[edit]
Year Title Notes
1979 Bert!: Bert Newton's Own Story Autobiography[13]

Logies

[edit]

Awards and nominations

[edit]

Newton was an institution of the Logie Awards since the awards since 1959. He was nominated for many Logie Awards and won several:

Association Year Award Awarded for Won
Logie Award 1979 Gold Logie The Don Lane Show Won
Logie Award 1983 Gold Logie The Don Lane Show Won
Logie Award 1982 Gold Logie New Faces Won
Logie Award 1984 Gold Logie New Faces Won
Logie Award's 1998 Logies Hall of Fame Honoured
Logie Award 1978 Gold Logie The Don Lane Show Nominated
Logie Award 1983 Gold Logie The Don Lane Show Nominated
Logie Award 1983 Gold Logie New Faces Nominated
Logie award 2006 Gold Logie Good Morning Australia AKA Good Morning Australia with Bert Nominated
Logie Award 2007 Gold Logie 20 to One and Bert's Family Feud Nominated
Logie Award 1993 Most Popular Light Entertainment Personality Good Morning Morning AKA Good Morning Australia with Bert Nominated

Three 'Best Compere' awards: 1972, 1973, 1974 (for his role in In Melbourne Tonight and The Graham Kennedy Show)[citation needed]

Hosting

[edit]

Newton hosted the Logie Awards ceremony on 19 occasions: 1968–1980, 1982, 1984, 1989, 1993 and 2010, and co-host in 2006. He holds the record for both the most Logies hosted and the most Logies hosted in a continuous run. Some notable moments of his hosting include:

  • At the 1979 Logies awards Newton said to Muhammad Ali, "I like the boy", not knowing that "boy" could be taken as a racial slur. Ali responded "Did he call me Roy?" and members of the audience, including Don Lane, shouted to Newton to say "Yes—Roy!". Newton looked puzzled and later explained to the media that he did not realise that "boy" was used as a racial slur. Ali realised Newton's use was meant endearingly and they literally kissed and made up later on.[14][15] Immediately after the incident, Newton lightened the tension of the incident by saying: "I'll change my name, my religion ... anything", referring to Ali's change of name from Cassius Clay when he adopted Islam in 1964, and proceeding to shake his hands in feigned nervousness. "I like the boy" was a catchphrase Newton had previous used on a commercial playing Colonel Sanders.[16]
  • In 1973, American actor Michael Cole, best known for his role in the TV series The Mod Squad, accepted an award while obviously drunk and ended his barely coherent thank-you speech with the word "shit",[17] to which Newton, after a classic pause, merely added 'congratulations'.[citation needed]
  • In 2006, after the awards, he had a fall and injured himself. The injury was visible for a number of Bert's Family Feud episodes.[citation needed]

Honours

[edit]
Moomba monarchs for 2014 – Lucy Durack and Newton

Newton was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1979, for his service to the performing arts.[18]

On 12 June 2006, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia "for service to the entertainment industry as a presenter, actor, comedian, and through support for a range of medical research and charitable organisations".[19][20]

Newton was the first Melbourne-born King of Moomba in 1978.[21]

A song called "For Bert" was written by GTV-9's musical director Brian Rangott. The lyrics include:[citation needed]

Everything I do,
I do for Bert –
[...]
Some may think Bert's not much,
But they like his gentle touch –
Everything I do,
I do for Bert!

In 1997, Newton was the subject of a This Is Your Life tribute. His wife Patti was honoured with her own tribute in 2001.[citation needed]

The Best of Bert Newton was aired in 2002. Channel Nine Salutes Bert Newton was broadcast in early 2004, depicting the career of Newton from his earliest days.[citation needed]

In 2001, he was awarded the Centenary Medal.[citation needed]

Show business awards include a Mo Award (1995),[22] two Television Society of Australia awards (1981 and 1983), three Penguin Citations and three Pater (Professional Excellence in Television and Radio Arts and Sciences) awards for radio.[citation needed]

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of television in Australia, Channel 9 ran a show titled 50 Years, 50 Stars, where they looked back at the top 50 stars of Australian television. Newton was listed as the No. 1 Australian TV star of the past 50 years.[citation needed]

On 1 July 2008, Newton was named Victorian of the Year.[23]

On 23 July 2008, Channel 9 marked Newton's 70th birthday with a one-hour special of This Is Your Life hosted by Mike Munro.[citation needed]

In 2018, he was honoured by Australia Post in a series of issued stamps called the Australian Legends series that features stars from Australian television.[24]

Two weeks after his death, on 12 November 2021, Newton was given a Victorian state funeral, conducted at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne.[25]

Personal life

[edit]

In 1974, Newton married Patti McGrath with whom he worked on television.[26] The Newtons had two children, son Matthew and daughter Lauren. Matthew Newton is an actor who has appeared in a number of Australian films and television dramas.[26] Lauren Newton married swimmer Matt Welsh.[citation needed]

In 1993, a gambling problem led Newton to near bankruptcy and a $1 million debt.[27]

In 2020, Newton was the subject of an episode of Who Do You Think You Are? which focused primarily on his father and maternal grandparents. The episode first aired on 26 May 2020.[citation needed]

Health and death

[edit]

In November 2012, Newton underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery, having been admitted to hospital twice in the twelve months prior.[28]

Newton was admitted to Epworth Hospital several times for pneumonia recovery in March and April 2017.[29]

Newton had a toe infection in late 2020 and, due to complications treating this, one of his legs was amputated below the knee in May 2021.[30] He died in Prahran, Victoria, on 30 October 2021, aged 83.[31] He is interred at the Cedars section of the Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Newton, Bert (1977). Bert! Bert Newton's Own Story. Toorak, Victoria, Australia: Garry Sparkes & Associates. ISBN 0-908081-24-3.
  • Blundell, Graeme (2003). King: the life and comedy of Graham Kennedy. Sydney: Pan Macmillan. ISBN 0-7329-1165-6.
  • Lane, Don (2007). The Don Lane story. Frenchs Forest, NSW: New Holland Publishers.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Bert Newton: 50 years on TV". TelevisionAU. 7 July 2007. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Blundell, Graeme (2003). King: The Life and Comedy of Graham Kennedy. Sydney: Pan Macmillan. ISBN 0-7329-1165-6.
  3. ^ "The cult of Bert". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 23 October 2002. Archived from the original on 8 December 2007. Retrieved 27 August 2007.
  4. ^ "Bert Newton says future unclear". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. 28 October 2005. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  5. ^ Quinn, Karl (12 August 2012). "Bert still has the passion". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  6. ^ Vickery, Colin; Devlyn, Darren (4 September 2009). "Channel Nine stars' salaries to be slashed". Herald Sun. Melbourne: News Limited. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2009.
  7. ^ "Bert Is The Wizard!". Wicked: The Musical. 12 November 2008. Archived from the original on 18 March 2009. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  8. ^ Bennett, Sally (24 July 2012). "Bert Newton shines on in Annie". Herald Sun. Melbourne: News Limited. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  9. ^ Cormack, Bridget (25 March 2013). "Bert Newton returning to stage for Grease after heart surgery". The Australian. News Limited. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  10. ^ Cashmere, Paul (15 June 2015). "REVIEW: The Rocky Horror Show 2015". Noise11.com. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Bert and Patti Family Album / Bert and Patti Newton". Trove. National Library of Australia. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013.
  12. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 216. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  13. ^ Newton, Bert (1977). Bert! : Bert Newton's own story. Garry Sparke & Associates. ISBN 9780908081240. Retrieved 25 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ vbvbvb088 (20 May 2009). Muhammad Ali at Australian TV Awards show. (1978-ish) – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ Gardiner, Stephanie (26 January 2012). "The social kiss: plain cheek or what?". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  16. ^ Australian entertainment icon Bert Newton dies aged 83 | 9 News Australia. Nine News. 30 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ Blundell, Graeme (2014). Bert: The Story of Australia's Favourite TV Star (First ed.). Sydney, N.S.W.: Hachette Australia. p. 165. ISBN 978-0-7336-3164-1. OCLC 863337438.
  18. ^ "The Order of the British Empire - Member (Civil) (Imperial) (MBE) entry for Newton, Bert". Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 25 April 2021. Performing arts
  19. ^ "Member of the Order of Australia (AM) entry for Newton, Albert". Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 25 April 2021. For service to the entertainment industry as a presenter, actor and comedian, and through support for a range of medical research and charitable organisations
  20. ^ "Order of Australia (AM) award" (PDF). Governor General of Australia. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 February 2008. Retrieved 18 December 2007.
  21. ^ Bellamy, Craig; Chisholm, Gordon; Eriksen, Hilary (17 February 2006). "Moomba: A festival for the people" (PDF). City of Melbourne. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  22. ^ "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  23. ^ "Bert Newton named Victorian of the Year". Herald Sun. News Limited. AAP. 1 July 2008. Archived from the original on 10 March 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
  24. ^ "Legends of TV Entertainment 2018". Australia Post. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  25. ^ Murray-Atfield, Yara (12 November 2021). "Bert Newton, a legend of Australian entertainment, farewelled at state funeral". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  26. ^ a b "Bert Newton". Media Man. Archived from the original on 15 October 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2009.
  27. ^ Courtis, Brian (30 May 2002). "Back to Bert". The Age. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 26 February 2003. Retrieved 30 May 2002.
  28. ^ Gough, Deborah; Wells, Rachel (24 November 2012). "'Not a pretty sight': Newton in intensive care after heart surgery". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 28 November 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  29. ^ Dennehy, Luke; Argoon, Ashley (29 April 2017). "Bert Newton on the mend in hospital as he recovers from pneumonia". Herald Sun. Melbourne: News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 11 March 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  30. ^ McMillan, Ashleigh (10 May 2021). "Bert Newton has leg amputated after toe infection". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  31. ^ Byrne, Fiona (31 October 2021). "Australian TV icon Bert Newton has died after a long health battle". The Advertiser. Adelaide: News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 31 October 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  32. ^ Camp Quality (2007). Laugh Even Louder!. Gosford, New South Wales: Scholastic Australia Pty Limited. p. 1. ISBN 978-1-74169-022-4.
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