Australian media personality and entertainer, comedian, radio star, television host and stage actor. Talented as both a natural comedian and a sophisticated MC-host, Newton was a long-time favourite with the viewing public, his colleagues and the critics. His career reaped a remarkable 15 Logies (four of them Gold). For his radio work, he received the Inaugural Grand Pater (1982), the Pater for the Year’s Best Radio Special (1988), and a citation at the 1988 New York Radio Festival. An MBE was awarded from Queen Elizabeth II in 1979 for services to the performing arts. 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”. His affable charm and sincerity shone through his nickname “Moonface.”
The product of a traditional Catholic family, Newton was one of six children from a working class suburb. He was very close to his mother, Gladys, who died in 1981. His father, Joseph, who served in World War II, returned when Bert was seven, and died when the boy was eleven.
In 1950, at age 11, Bert went along to a Melbourne radio studio to watch a broadcast of a Boy Scouts program and was instantly captivated by the magic of entertainment. He made his radio debut in June of that year on a children’s program. After school, he secured a full-time job as a turntable operator. Impressed by his talent and enthusiasm, the management put him on air as an announcer. He was 15 years of age!
In July 1957, Newton signed with TV Seven Network to host The Late Show and two years later, teamed with former Rival Graham Kennedy on the Nine Network. It was the start of an historic partnership that viewers were to love when the inimitable team formed In Melbourne Tonight. Newton became Australia’s favourite son with his impeccable sense of timing and his natural warm humour.
Newton and Don Lane combined in the highest rating national tonight show in Australia’s history, The Don Lane Show. Their unique and award-winning partnership entertained a massive audience for almost 10 years, 1975-1983. Newton’s own New Faces programme was on the air for 22 years.
From 1986-1988, Newton was General Manager of a Melbourne radio station and its major on-air personality. In 1989 Bert returned to Seven where he began his television career. He was the host of the national daily programme The Bert Newton Show. In 1992, the Ten TV network signed Newton for the weekday show, Good Morning Australia, with Bert Newton, a mix of guests, music, fashion, cooking and infomercials — which continued eight years.
In theatre, Newton played the title role in a 1991 production of Wizard of Oz, and in 1999, he played Uncle Max in the lavish stage production of The Sound Of Music. From 2008-2011 he played The Wizard in the Australian production of the musical Wicked. Newton played the narrator in the 2015 Australian production of The Rocky Horror Show.
In November 2012, Newton underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery having been admitted to hospital twice in the twelve months prior. Having suffered a bout of pneumonia, Newton was admitted to Epworth Hospital several times in March and April 2017. Newton suffered from a toe infection he acquired in late 2020. Newton’s leg was amputated below the knee in May 2021.
Newton was reputed to have lived at home with his mother until the age of 36, prompting widespread gossip that he was gay. He married singer-dancer Patti McGrath in November 1974. They have two children, actor Matthew Newton and TV personality Lauren Newton. Bert Newton died on 30 October 2021 at age 83.
Link to Wikipedia biography