Hugh Downs facts for kids

Hugh Downs
Hugh Downs
	Hugh Downs in 1972
Born	Hugh Malcolm Downs ; February 14, 1921; Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Died	July 1, 2020 (aged 99); Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
Occupation	Television broadcaster; television host; television producer; author; game show presenter; music composer; radio announcer; radio programmer;
Years active	1939–2007
Spouse(s)	Ruth Shaheen; (m. 1944; died 2017)
Children	2

Hugh Malcolm Downs (February 14, 1921 – July 1, 2020) was an American radio and television broadcaster, announcer, television host, news anchor, TV producer, author, game show host, and music composer.

For many years, he held the Guinness World Record for the most hours on commercial network television, before Regis Philbin broke his record.

Downs was announcer/sidekick for Tonight Starring Jack Paar from 1957 to 1962, co-host of the NBC News program Today from 1962 to 1971, host of the Concentration game show from 1958 to 1969, and anchor of the ABC News magazine 20/20 from 1978 to 1999.

Downs was born in Akron, Ohio on February 14, 1921. His career would start in 1945 and since then he had appeared in over 100 television programs and guest star appearances, he retired in 1999. He was married to Ruth Shaheen from 1944 until her death in 2017. They had two children together.

Downs died on July 1, 2020, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 99.

Images for kids

Downs and daughter, Deirdre (1960)
Jack Paar, Downs, Jose Melis on The Tonight Show; Downs was host Paar's announcer.
With Darren McGavin on the set of the TV series Riverboat
Hugh Downs in 1961