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]





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.