Mary Hart is preparing to bid farewell to Entertainment Tonight – and Nancy O'Dell has been named as her successor.
"I remember watching Entertainment Tonight when it first premiered and dreaming about working for the show someday," O'Dell says. "I am honored to be the one chosen to fill a TV legend's seat and I hope I can do her proud!"
Over the summer, Hart, 60, announced her plans to leave the show in 2011 after nearly 30 years on ET.
"Leaving this job was not an easy decision, but knowing I will pass the baton to Nancy O'Dell makes that decision much easier," Hart said Monday. "Nancy is a talented and respected entertainment correspondent. We have spent many years working on opposite sides of the celebrity battlefield and I know the show will flourish with Nancy as co-anchor."
O'Dell, 44, who served as co-anchor of Access Hollywood for 13 years, will join ET as a special correspondent in January. She'll then take on the role of co-host, alongside Mark Steines, after Hart finishes out her final season on the show.
Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell has left her job two years before her contract expires. Her last show was this past week.
"The original member of the Access Hollywood family, co-anchor and respected broadcast journalist Nancy O'Dell, has chosen to leave the show after 13 years," says a statement from her rep. "O’Dell appreciates NBC’s cooperation as she begins this next chapter in her career. Even though she will be leaving for a new opportunity, this decision is based totally on Nancy’s desire to take her career to the next level and is completely amicable. She will continue on with projects as a broadcast entertainment journalist."
A source saud O’Dell has been uncomfortable for the past several months with what she sees as the show's more sensational direction. "She has spent a lot of years building respect in the entertainment community and celebrities trust her," says the source. "She's known as the nice and classy girl. She values that."
Prior to the show, O’Dell spent seven years as a news anchor and investigate reporter. As for what she’s doing next, O’Dell has yet to make an announcement. Her next scheduled broadcast appearance will be as the host of the Tournament of Roses Parade live on NBC on New Year’s day.
O’Dell is married to business executive Keith Zubchevich. They are parents to daughter Ashby, 2. She’s also the step-mom to sons Tyler, 14, and Carson, 10.
Mary Hart is preparing to bid farewell to Entertainment Tonight – and Nancy O'Dell has been named as her successor.
