David Hartman to Leave ‘Good Morning America’

Actor-turned-morning-wake-up man David Hartman said “Goodby, America” today.

ABC-TV announced that Hartman will quit in February as host of the network’s popular “Good Morning America” program.

The network named no replacement to succeed Hartman, widely credited with helping to change the face of morning television, especially all three network morning programs’ switch from hard news reporting to lighter features and interviews.

“After 11 years it’s time to move on,” Hartman said in a statement issued by the network. “It’s a turning point for me personally and professionally.”

Hartman, who made a reported $2 million a year as principal host of “Good Morning America,” has been on the show since its premiere in 1975 and, for years, has exercised near total control over production of the program.

Under his new arrangement with ABC, Hartman will continue making special appearances on “Good Morning America” and will produce some prime-time specials.

Hartman’s move, widely speculated within the entertainment business, makes him the third featured personality to leave ABC’s program in recent weeks. Commentator Erma Bombeck and weatherman Dave Murray have left the show. Co-host Joan Lunden has one year remaining on her contract.

Although “Good Morning America” had long dominated morning TV ratings, it recently lost its No. 1 position to NBC-TV’s older but revamped “Today” show.

ABC also has undergone across-the-board salary, cost and staff cutbacks since it was acquired in January by Capital Cities Communications Inc.