Hugh Downs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hugh Downs
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Downs in 1972
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| Born | February 14, 1921 Akron, Ohio, U.S.
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| Died | July 1, 2020 (aged 99) Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
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| Education | Bluffton University Wayne State University Columbia University (BA) Hunter College (GrDip) |
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| Years active | 1939–2007 |
| Spouse(s) |
Ruth Shaheen
(m. 1944; died 2017) |
| Children | 2 |
Hugh Malcolm Downs (born February 14, 1921 – died July 1, 2020) was a famous American TV and radio star. He was known for many jobs, like hosting shows, announcing, and even writing books. Hugh was on TV for a very long time, from the 1940s to the late 1990s. He even held a Guinness World Record for the most hours on commercial network TV!
He was the announcer for Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957–1962). He also co-hosted the Today show (1962–1971). Many people remember him as the host of the Concentration game show (1958–1969). Later, he was the anchor for the ABC News show 20/20 (1978–1999).
Downs started his career in radio in 1939. He began working in live television in 1945 in Chicago. He moved to New York City in 1954 to continue his broadcasting career.
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Early Life and Education
Hugh Downs was born in 1921 in Akron, Ohio. His parents were Edith and Milton Howard Downs. He went to Lima Shawnee High School in Lima, Ohio. After high school, he studied at Bluffton College and Wayne State University.
Radio Career Beginnings
Downs started working in radio in 1939. His first job was as an announcer and program director at WLOK in Lima, Ohio. In 1940, he moved to WWJ in Detroit.
During World War II, Downs served in the United States Army in 1943. After the war, he joined the NBC radio network at WMAQ in Chicago. He lived in Chicago until 1954. While there, he announced for the radio show Destination Freedom. This show told stories about important Black people.
Becoming a Television Star
Hugh Downs made his first TV news broadcast in September 1945. It was from an experimental studio in Chicago. He later said he had never seen a TV before his first job! He wasn't even sure if television would last.
By 1950, Downs was a regular on TV. He announced for Hawkins Falls, which was one of the first successful TV soap operas. He also announced for the children's show Kukla, Fran and Ollie.
In 1954, Downs moved to New York City. He became the announcer for The Home Show with Arlene Francis. From 1957 to 1962, he was Jack Paar's announcer on The Tonight Show. This job made him a well-known TV personality.
Hosting Popular TV Shows
On August 25, 1958, Hugh Downs started hosting the game show Concentration. He hosted this show for over ten years. He also hosted NBC's Today Show for nine years, from September 1962 to October 1971. He even co-hosted Not for Women Only with Barbara Walters in 1975–76.
Downs also appeared on the game show To Tell the Truth. He even played himself in an episode of the sitcom Car 54, Where Are You?.
While hosting Over Easy, a PBS show about aging, he earned a special degree in gerontology from Hunter College. He was most famous later in his career as the co-anchor of the ABC news show 20/20. He worked with Barbara Walters again on this show from 1978 until he retired in 1999. He even won an Emmy Award for his work on 20/20.
Awards and Recognition
In 1984, Hugh Downs was added to the International Air & Space Hall of Fame. That same year, he was recognized by the Guinness World Records for having the most hours on network commercial television. He had spent 15,188 hours on TV! Later, Regis Philbin broke his record for most hours on all forms of television in 2004.
Downs was also a published music composer. He hosted the PBS show Live from Lincoln Center, which featured classical music, from 1990 to 1996.
In 2007, Downs was one of the first people to be inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame. He also received the Order of Lincoln, which is the highest honor in Illinois, in 1967.
Public Service and Interests
Hugh Downs was a special advisor to the United Nations on refugee issues from 1961 to 1964. He also led the United States Committee for UNICEF.
He wrote articles for Science Digest in the 1960s. He was also a science consultant for Westinghouse Laboratories and the Ford Foundation. Downs was an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences. He was also involved with space advocacy groups, serving as chairman of the board of the National Space Society. An asteroid is even named after him: 71000 Hughdowns.
The auditorium at Shawnee High School in Ohio is named after him. Also, the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University is named in his honor.
Downs was a licensed pilot. He could fly many types of aircraft, including multi-engine planes, seaplanes, hot air balloons, and gliders.
Personal Life and Death
Hugh Downs married Ruth Shaheen on February 17, 1944. They had two children, Deirdre and H.R. Ruth passed away on March 28, 2017.
Hugh Downs died on July 1, 2020, at the age of 99. He passed away from heart failure at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was buried in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
Film Appearances
- A Global Affair (1964) as himself
- Survival of Spaceship Earth (1972) as an interviewee in a documentary about Earth's environment
- Nothing by Chance (1975) as executive producer and narrator for a documentary about biplanes
- Oh, God! Book II (1980) as a newscaster
- Someone Like You (2001) as himself
Books Written by Hugh Downs
- Yours Truly... (1960) – his autobiography
- A Shoal of Stars: A True-Life Account of Everyman's Dream: Sailing Across the Pacific to Exotic Lands (1967)
- Rings Around Tomorrow (1970) – a collection of his science articles
- Potential: The Way to Emotional Maturity (1973)
- Thirty Dirty Lies About Old Age (1979)
- The Best Years: How to Plan for Fulfillment, Security, and Happiness in the Retirement Years (1981)
- On Camera: My 10,000 Hours on Television (1986)
- Fifty to Forever (1994) – a collection of essays
- Perspectives (1995) – 50 selections from his radio essays
- Pure Gold: A Lifetime of Love and Marriage (2001)
- My America: What My Country Means to Me, by 150 Americans from All Walks of Life (2002) – he was the editor
- Letter to a Great Grandson: A Message of Love, Advice, and Hopes for the Future (2004)
See also
