Hugh Downs

About

Hugh Downs was an American broadcaster, television host, news anchor, TV producerA key figure responsible for managing the production of a film, TV show, or album, including financi..., author, game showA genre of television program where people play a game which involves answering questions or solving... host, and music composerA musician who writes and arranges original music for films, television shows, video games, and othe.... He was born on February 14, 1921, in Akron, Ohio, USA. A renowned figure in the American television industry, Downs had a career that spanned more than 60 years. He served as the anchor of the ABC news show '20/20' from 1978 to 1999, and before that, he was the host of NBC's 'Today Show' from 1962 to 1971. Remarkably, he also holds the Guinness World Record for the greatest number of hours on network commercial television. Apart from his successful television career, Downs was an accomplished author, having written several books on various topics. He passed away on July 1, 2020.

Associated With

Hugh Downs enjoyed a long and prolific career in the American television industry, working alongside various prominent personalities. Probably his most recognized and significant collaboration was with Barbara Walters on the ABC news magazine "20/20" where he co-hosted for more than 20 years, starting in 1978 until his retirement in 1999. Before that, Downs served as Jack Paar's announcer on "The Tonight Show" and went on to host the "Today" show on NBC, sharing screen time with colleagues like Frank Blair and Barbara Walters again. He also hosted the game show "Concentration" and performed as a radio announcer and news analyst. Throughout his career, Downs was highly regarded by peers, reflecting a testament to his influential presence in the broadcasting world.

Career Highlights

• 1945: Hugh Downs begins his broadcasting career as an announcer and program host at WLOK-AM in Lima, Ohio.
• 1950: Downs moves to television as a newscaster at WBKB, later WBBM-TV, in ChicagoAn American musical with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. ....
• 1954: Hugh Downs becomes the announcer for the popular "The Tonight Show" with Jack Paar while also serving as his sidekick.
• 1958: Downs wins his first Emmy Award for his work on "The Tonight Show".
• 1962: After Jack Paar's departure, Hugh Downs takes over as host of NBC's newly renamed "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson".
• 1972: Downs leaves "The Tonight Show" and becomes the host of "Concentration", a gig that lasted for a decade.
• 1978: Downs is awarded the Albert Einstein Award from Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University.
• 1984-1999: Hugh Downs serves as the co-anchor for ABC's "20/20", a position he held for 15 years.
• 1985: Downs breaks the world record for most hours on network commercial television, recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.
• 1990: Downs is inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
• 1999: Hugh Downs retires from "20/20" and largely from television in general.
• 2002: He receives the American Academy of Achievement’s Golden Plate Award, and also wins the National Association of Broadcasters Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
• 2007: Downs receives the News & DocumentaryA non-fiction genre that documents reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education, or... Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Notable Awards

• Hugh Downs, the American broadcaster and television host, was awarded numerous honors throughout his career. Some notable awards include:
• Daytime Emmy Award: He won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host for his work on "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee".
• Guinness World Record: He was recognized by the Guinness World Record for the most hours on network commercial television.
• National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame: He was inducted into this Hall of Fame in 1992.
• Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame: Downs was also inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.
• Lifetime Achievement Award: He received this award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
• It's also worth noting that the television studio at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University is named in his honor.

FAQs

What Is the Most Popular Hugh Downs Movie/TV Show?

Hugh Downs had a lengthy career in television broadcasting, but he is most renowned for his roles on "Today" and "20/20". He served as a co-host on NBC's "Today" show for nine years (1962-1971), helping set the stage for morning television programming. However, his longest stint and probably most popular role was on ABC's news magazine "20/20", where he was a co-anchor from 1978 to 1999. His steady, measured delivery of news stories earned him recognition and respect among audiences nationwide, solidifying his place in broadcasting history.

How Did Hugh Downs Get Famous?

Hugh Downs gained fame as a longtime American broadcaster, television host, news anchor, and TV producer. He is best remembered for his tenure as co-host of NBC's "Today Show" from 1962 to 1971 and as the host of ABC's "20/20" from 1978 to 1999. His smooth and warm delivery, alongside his journalistic and entertainment versatility, contributed significantly to the programs' success and solidified his place within television history. He also holds a Guinness World Record for the most hours on network commercial television.