Hugh Down
USA- Early Life and Career
- Broadcast Career
- "20/20" and Other Projects
- Retirement and Legacy
- Philanthropy and Advocacy
Early Life and Career
Hugh Malcolm Downs was born in Akron, Ohio, on February 14, 1921, to Milton Howard Downs and Edith (Hicks) Downs. From 1938 to 1941, he attended Wayne State University, where he worked as a radio announcer and program director. In 1940, Downs moved to Detroit, where he worked in radio until his service in the Army during World War II.
Broadcast Career
Downs began his television news career in 1945 with WBKB-TV. He quickly became a regular on various television programs, including "Hawkins Falls" and "Kukla, Fran and Ollie." In 1954, Downs moved to New York City to join "The Home Show" with Arlene Francis. He also worked on "Sid Caesar's Caesar's Hour" and hosted several seasons on NBC Radio.
Downs gained national fame as the sidekick to Jack Paar on "The Tonight Show" from 1957 to 1962. He also became co-host of the original "Concentration" game show in 1958, a role he held for ten years. From 1962 to 1971, Downs hosted the "Today Show" on NBC.
"20/20" and Other Projects
One of Downs' most famous projects was the ABC News prime-time newsmagazine "20/20," which he co-hosted with Barbara Walters from 1978 until his retirement in 1999. He won an Emmy Award for his work on the show. In 1985, Downs was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most hours on commercial television.
Retirement and Legacy
After retiring from "20/20," Downs hosted a series on classical music for PBS from 1990 to 1996. He also worked as a spokesperson for "Bottom Line Publications" and "Where There's a Will There's an A." Downs later appeared in public service announcements for the Arizona Department of Transportation, Hospice of the Valley, and various educational organizations.
Downs was inducted into the American Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007. He also appeared in film and television, including "A Global Affair" (1964), "Survival of Spaceship Earth" (1971), and "Oh, God! Book II" (1980).
Philanthropy and Advocacy
Downs was actively involved in social causes. He served as a special consultant to the United Nations for refugees from 1961 to 1964 and was chairman of the UNICEF Committee Council. He wrote a column for "Science Digest" in the 1960s and worked as a scientific consultant for companies like Westinghouse Laboratories and the Ford Foundation.
Downs was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and served on the board of trustees for the National Space Society. He was also president and chairman of the National Space Institute for many years. An asteroid was named "71000 Hughdowns" in his honor.
