07-03-2020, 02:04 AM
Hugh Downs, Longtime Broadcaster
and Former Today Show Host, Dies at 99
The veteran 20/20 anchor died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona
By Robyn Merrett
July 02, 2020 03:10 PM[/color]
![[Image: hugh-downs-barbara-walters-gettyimages-1...25x580.jpg]](https://media.extratv.com/2020/07/02/hugh-downs-barbara-walters-gettyimages-169144618-825x580.jpg)
Legendary broadcaster Hugh Downs[/color] had died.
He was 99.
Downs died on Wednesday at his home in Scottsdale,
Arizona, The New York Times and ABC 15 reported.
He was surrounded by family.
A household name, Downs was largely known for his roles
as host of the Today show on NBC and 20/20 on ABC.
He hosted Today for nine years from September 1962 to
October 1971. He also hosted the original version of the
game show Concentration and co-hosted the syndicated
television program Not for Women Only with Barbara Walters
from 1975 to 1976.
In 1978, Downs landed his role at ABC. He hosted 20/20 for 21
years and became known for his sign-off message:
"We're in touch, so you be in touch."
Born in Akron, Ohio, Downs made his first television debut
in 1945 on WBKB-TV.
![[Image: 1fohTMh.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/1fohTMh.jpg)
He later went on to announce for Hawkins Falls, a soap opera,
in 1950. He also announced the Burr Tillstrom children's show
Kukla, Fran and Ollie.
In 1954, Downs moved to New York City, where he accepted
a position as announcer for Pat Weaver's The Home Show starring
Arlene Francis.
He stayed in that role until 1957.[/color]
Before moving on to the game show Concentration, Downs was
the announcer for Jack Paar's The Tonight Show.
Downs told USA Today in 1999: "Gosh, I'd like to lie on a beach
for six weeks. But I knew by the end of the first hour I'd be thinking
of something else to do, and I'd start doing it."
Throughout his career, Downs received two Daytime Emmy Awards:
outstanding special class program for Live from Lincoln Center in 1976
and outstanding host or hostess in a talk or service show for
Over Easy in 1977.
Downs is survived by his two children:
Hugh Raymond and Deirdre Lynn, whom he shared with
his late wife Ruth Shaheen.
Shaheen died in 2017.
and Former Today Show Host, Dies at 99
The veteran 20/20 anchor died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona
By Robyn Merrett
July 02, 2020 03:10 PM[/color]
Legendary broadcaster Hugh Downs[/color] had died.
He was 99.
Downs died on Wednesday at his home in Scottsdale,
Arizona, The New York Times and ABC 15 reported.
He was surrounded by family.
A household name, Downs was largely known for his roles
as host of the Today show on NBC and 20/20 on ABC.
He hosted Today for nine years from September 1962 to
October 1971. He also hosted the original version of the
game show Concentration and co-hosted the syndicated
television program Not for Women Only with Barbara Walters
from 1975 to 1976.
In 1978, Downs landed his role at ABC. He hosted 20/20 for 21
years and became known for his sign-off message:
"We're in touch, so you be in touch."
Born in Akron, Ohio, Downs made his first television debut
in 1945 on WBKB-TV.
He later went on to announce for Hawkins Falls, a soap opera,
in 1950. He also announced the Burr Tillstrom children's show
Kukla, Fran and Ollie.
In 1954, Downs moved to New York City, where he accepted
a position as announcer for Pat Weaver's The Home Show starring
Arlene Francis.
He stayed in that role until 1957.[/color]
Before moving on to the game show Concentration, Downs was
the announcer for Jack Paar's The Tonight Show.
Downs told USA Today in 1999: "Gosh, I'd like to lie on a beach
for six weeks. But I knew by the end of the first hour I'd be thinking
of something else to do, and I'd start doing it."
Throughout his career, Downs received two Daytime Emmy Awards:
outstanding special class program for Live from Lincoln Center in 1976
and outstanding host or hostess in a talk or service show for
Over Easy in 1977.
Downs is survived by his two children:
Hugh Raymond and Deirdre Lynn, whom he shared with
his late wife Ruth Shaheen.
Shaheen died in 2017.