Leigh Hart
Leigh Hart, a prominent New Zealand comedian, radio announcer, and performance artist, has carved a unique niche in the country's entertainment landscape.
Born on 20 July 1970 in Greymouth, Hart's life has been a journey of diverse experiences and creative ventures. He spent part of his childhood overseas, including four years in Peru, before returning to New Zealand. Hart's early foray into the entertainment world began after a brief stint working on the Channel Tunnel and founding a rock band named "Wild Turkey" with his brother and a friend. The band's activities were suspended, and Hart returned to Christchurch to study film and television, where he also started a satirical newspaper titled The Moon.
Hart's television career took off in the mid-1990s in Auckland, where he worked for Greenstone Pictures and wrote for early episodes of "The Zoo." His breakthrough came with a guest appearance on "SportsCafe" as an "international snail trainer," which led to a regular role as a sports interviewer. He gained popularity and the nickname "That Guy." From 2002 to 2010, Hart produced and starred in "Moon TV," a late-night comedy show that parodied various television shows and featured interviews with New Zealand celebrities. The show was nominated for Best Comedy Programme at the 2005 and 2007 New Zealand Screen Awards. Additionally, Hart presented the spin-off show "Late Night Big Breakfast" from 2014 to 2016, which was later revived in 2020.
In radio, Hart co-hosted the drive-time show "Daily Bhuja" on Radio Hauraki from 2015 to 2019. He also contributed as a columnist for the "Herald on Sunday" from 2007 to 2011 and worked for the television show "Fair Go". In 2020, Hart appeared on the first season of the New Zealand series of "Taskmaster," where his unpredictable and engaging performance style was particularly noted.
Apart from his entertainment career, Hart ventured into the business world with the launch of his own beer brand, Wakachangi, in July 2013. Initially marketed to students, Wakachangi was later released nationwide. The brand is known for its humorous and unconventional marketing style, echoing Hart's quirky and irreverent humor. More recently, in 2023, Hart, also a potato chip magnate, unveiled three new Snackachangi flavours with an 'American Diner' theme, showcasing his ongoing innovation and business acumen.
Leigh Hart's career, marked by his creativity, humor, and entrepreneurial spirit, makes him an engaging and versatile figure, ideal for events seeking a blend of entertainment, wit, and unique insights into the media and business world.
Duration: 45 minutes. 15 minutes Q and A.
Essential Talent arranges a prep call with Leigh Hart prior to the event, and provides an industry standard agreement for peace of mind.
