David Downs Hartman (born May 19, 1935) is an American journalist and media host who began his media career as an actor. He currently anchors and hosts documentary programs on cable TV's History and on PBS. Hartman is best-known as the first host of ABC's Good Morning America, from 1975-1987. As an actor, he starred in the 1970s as a young resident, Dr. Paul Hunter, on The Bold Ones: The New Doctors and as a teacher in the series Lucas Tanner.

Early life

Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island of German descent, Hartman attended Mount Hermon School (now Northfield Mount Hermon) and was geared toward professional baseball in high school. However, he turned down a baseball scholarship to attend Duke University where he majored in economics and became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. After college, he served three years active duty as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, Strategic Air Command. He was a Supply Officer at Dow AFB in Bangor, ME and acted in local musicals there, including Oklahoma, in the role of Curly.