Alister Smart, Play School's first presenter, dies at 90
Alister Smart has died at his home in East Gippsland. He appeared on Australia's longest-running children's show for 27 years.
Alister Smart was an actor and presenter loved by many Australian children. He died on September 9 at his home in East Gippsland, Victoria.
The news was only recently announced. Smart was born in Adelaide in 1935.
He was partly raised around Nowra. He started as a piano restorer before studying at Sydney's Conservatorium of Music.
Smart built a career in Australian theatre and television from the 1950s onwards. He appeared in Number 96, Skippy, The Sullivans, Sons and Daughters, A Country Practice, and Neighbours.
Smart is best remembered for his role on Play School. This is the ABC's loved children's program.
He appeared in its very first episode in 1966. He continued as a presenter for the next 27 years.
The show remains Australia's longest-running children's series.
- 27
- Years on Play School
- 1935
- Birth year
- 1966
- Play School debut
- 90
- Age at death
Why it mattersHe was a loved figure from Australian childhood television. His death marks the end of a career in acting. It started in the 1950s and ended in the mid-1990s.
AustraliaAustralians who grew up with Play School in the 1960s through 1990s will remember Smart as a familiar and trusted face on ABC.
Corroborated byabc.net.au·tvtonight.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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