Tom Bergeron, photo by Margie Barron
The Emmy-winning host of Dancing With the Stars, Tom Bergeron was honored by the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters for his career on the television and radio airwaves. He was called the “host with the most,” thanks to his reputation for having the most fun at his job, the most wit at what he does, and the most respect from his colleagues, who describe him as a “super nice guy. What you see is what you get. He is as real as you can get.”
On the dais to honor Bergeron was Paula Abdul (a guest performer this season on DWTS) who said, “He makes hosting look easy, and it definitely is not.” And legendary musical star Mitzi Gaynor was there to tell everyone how much DWTS has meant “to give all professional dancers the respect they deserve for their hard work and dedication to their craft. And the show would not be the success it is without Bergeron as the host.”
Also on hand to praise Bergeron was Conrad Green, the producer-showrunner for DWTS, who called Tom “the heart of the show.” And producer Vin Di Bona, who has been at the helm of the long-running America’s Funniest Home Videos, said, “Tom always guarantees his audiences a fun and memorable evening with his wit and humor when he hosts a show.”
Bergeron has done a lot of that for a long time. In 2009, it was noted that he racked up more primetime hours on TV than any other host, not only because of his DWTS and AFHV duties, but also a variety of TV specials. Over the years, Bergeron has hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards, the Miss America Pageant, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation’s College Awards Gala, and many more.
PPB dais honoring Tom Bergeron, photo MBarron
Joining Paula, Mitzi, Conrad and Vin on the dais were PPB president Chuck Street, Entertainment Chairwoman Jeanne DeVivier Brown, and game show legend Wink Martindale, who read a funny tribute to Bergeron sent by their mutual friend Pat Boone.
Born in Haverhill, Mass., Bergeron’s broadcasting career began in 1972 spending over a decade at WBZ-TV in Boston. In 1994, he became host of Breakfast Time on FX, which was re-named FOX After Breakfast when it moved to the FOX network. By 1997, Tom was a fill-in anchor on Good Morning America before taking on the gameshow host duties for the rebooted Hollywood Squares. While on Squares, he kept busy as a fill-in anchor on CBS’ The Early Show and hosted Supper Club for Planet Green.
Tom spends much of his free time volunteering for charity events and has been given the March of Dimes Special President’s Award for Volunteer Excellence. He revealed that he is “a gym rat,” and works out four to five days a week with a trainer. Tom and his wife have two daughters, and the Bergeron family splits their time between Connecticut and Hollywood. #
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