Hugh Downs, omnipresent television broadcaster, dies at 99

[Dennis Donovan]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/hugh-downs-omnipresent-television-broadcaster-dies-at-99/2020/07/02/434557f0-bc8b-11ea-8cf5-9c1b8d7f84c6_story.html


Mr. Downs on the set of "20/20" in New York in 1979. (ABC News)

By Emily Langer
July 2, 2020 at 2:03 p.m. EDT

In a broadcast career that spanned more than a half-century, Hugh Downs was one of the most versatile and durable personalities on television. A mainstay of American TV-watching rituals for generations, he held for years the world record for most time on air — more than 10,000 hours — before Regis Philbin officially surpassed him in 2004.

By the time Mr. Downs signed off in 1999, he was know to millions of TV-watchers as the co-host with Barbara Walters of the ABC newsmagazine “20/20.” Before that, he had been a host of NBC’s “Today” show, the long-running staple of American mornings, and before that a sidekick to Jack Paar on NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” the long-running staple of late-night viewing.

He also hosted the game show “Concentration.” By the time he retired, one reporter noted, Mr. Downs had been on TV nearly as long as TV had been on.

He “represented the entire history of broadcasting,” Ron Simon, curator for television and radio at the Paley Center for Media in New York, said in an interview. “Whatever the format, he was that consummate, quintessential broadcaster who could adapt his style to what was needed.”

Mr. Downs died July 1 at his home in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was 99. A great-niece, Molly Shaheen, confirmed his death and said the cause was a heart ailment.

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Cross gently, Mr Downs.

[gademocrat7]

1. R.I.P. Mr Downs.

[lpbk2713]

2. I remember him from the Today Show.

He was a TV pioneer. Seemed like a likeable man too.

[Nevilledog]

3. He had one of those comforting voices.

[edbermac]

4. Wow, I thought he passed years ago.

RIP.

[PCIntern]

5. I went to High School with his daughter DeeDee

Lovely young lady and GORGEOUS.
I had spoken with Mr Downs on several occasions and he once gave me a ride into “town” (New Hope) from our school.

R.I.P. sir. A life well-lived.

()

[MarcA]

6. Good memories of him from the original Concentration. n/t

[bobbieinok]

7. On Jack Paar's show in late 50s-early 60s, Sid Caesar's show in 50s

[BusyBeingBest]

8. I always liked how he said "THIS is.....twentytwenty!"

[kentuck]

9. Legends are leaving us.

First Carl Reiner, now Hugh Downs, from the same TV era.

[Raine]

10. Very classy guy

R-I-P Hugh