Hugh Downs

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 from heart failure. He was 99.

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Category:1921 births
Category:2020 deaths
Category:Deaths from heart failure
Category:American television news anchors
Category:American movie actors
Category:American radio actors
Category:American stage actors
Category:American voice actors
Category:American television actors
Category:American television presenters
Category:American television personalities
Category:American radio personalities
Category:Journalists from Ohio
Category:Writers from Akron, Ohio
Category:Actors from Akron, Ohio