Hugh Malcolm Downs was an American radio and television broadcaster, announcer and programmer; television host; news anchor; TV producer; author; game show host; talk show sidekick; and music composer. He was a prominent television presence from the mid-1940s until the late 1990s, taking on several successful roles across morning, prime-time, and late-night TV. Downs once held the Guinness World Record for the most hours on commercial network television, a title later surpassed by Regis Philbin.
February 14, 1921: Hugh Downs is born
American broadcaster, television personality, and author Hugh Malcolm Downs is born on February 14, 1921, in Akron, Ohio.
1938: Downs's Early Education
Hugh Downs begins his higher education journey in 1938, attending institutions like Bluffton College and Wayne State University.
1939: Downs Kicks Off Radio Career
Hugh Downs embarks on his broadcasting journey with his first radio job in 1939.
1940: Downs's Move to WWJ Radio
Hugh Downs advances his radio career by moving to WWJ in Detroit in 1940.
1943: Downs's Service in World War II
Hugh Downs serves his country in the United States Army during World War II in 1943.
February 17, 1944: Hugh Downs marries Ruth Shaheen
On February 17, 1944, Hugh Downs married Ruth Shaheen. They would go on to have two children, Deirdre and H.R.
September 1945: Downs's First Television News Broadcast
Hugh Downs makes his television news debut in September 1945 from the experimental studio of WBKB-TV in Chicago.
1945: Downs Ventures into Television
Hugh Downs makes his foray into the world of live television in 1945, starting in Chicago.
1948: Downs Announces "Destination Freedom"
Hugh Downs lends his voice to the groundbreaking radio show "Destination Freedom" from 1948, which shared stories of Black individuals.
1950: Downs Becomes a Television Regular
Hugh Downs solidifies his presence in the television industry, becoming a regular face on screen in 1950 with announcing roles for programs like "Hawkins Falls" and "Kukla, Fran and Ollie."
1950: Conclusion of "Destination Freedom"
The radio show "Destination Freedom," announced by Hugh Downs, concludes in 1950 after a successful run.
1951: Downs Appears on "Uncle Ned's Squadron"
Hugh Downs showcases his versatility by taking on an acting role as the "co-pilot" on the children's program "Uncle Ned's Squadron" in 1951.
March 1954: Downs Relocates to New York for "The Home Show"
Hugh Downs makes a significant career move in March 1954, relocating to New York City to become the announcer for "The Home Show" starring Arlene Francis.
1954: Downs Relocates to New York City for Television Opportunity
Enticed by a promising program offer, Hugh Downs relocates to New York City in 1954 to further his television career.
1954: Downs's Time at WMAQ in Chicago
Hugh Downs's tenure at WMAQ in Chicago concludes in 1954, marking a significant chapter in his broadcasting career.
1955: Downs Attends Columbia University and Joins NBC Radio
Hugh Downs pursues further education at Columbia University in New York City from 1955 and takes on the role of one of NBC Radio's "Monitor" "Communicators".
1956: Downs Concludes Studies at Columbia University
Hugh Downs completes his studies at Columbia University in 1956.
1956: Downs Announces for "Caesar's Hour"
Hugh Downs takes on the announcer role for Sid Caesar's "Caesar's Hour" for the 1956-57 season.
August 1957: Downs's Role on "The Home Show" Ends
Hugh Downs's time as the announcer for "The Home Show" concludes in August 1957.
1957: Downs Joins "Tonight Starring Jack Paar"
Hugh Downs joins "Tonight Starring Jack Paar" as an announcer and sidekick in 1957, marking the beginning of his successful television career.
August 25, 1958: Downs Commences Hosting "Concentration"
Hugh Downs embarks on a long stint as the host of the game show "Concentration," starting on August 25, 1958.
1958: Downs Begins Hosting "Concentration"
Hugh Downs takes on the role of host for the original version of the game show "Concentration" in 1958.
1959: Downs's Time as NBC Radio "Communicator" Concludes
Hugh Downs's stint as one of NBC Radio's "Monitor" "Communicators" comes to an end in 1959.
1959: Downs's Time as "Monitor" Communicator Ends
Hugh Downs's tenure as one of NBC Radio's "Monitor" "Communicators" concludes in 1959.
1961: Downs's Involvement with the United Nations Begins
Hugh Downs begins his role as a special consultant to the United Nations for refugee problems in 1961.
March 1962: Downs Concludes Role on "The Tonight Show"
Following Jack Paar's departure, Hugh Downs continues announcing for "The Tonight Show" until March 1962.
September 1962: Downs Joins "Today" as Co-Host
Hugh Downs joins the "Today" show as a co-host in September 1962.
October 1, 1962: Johnny Carson Takes Over "The Tonight Show"
Johnny Carson's era on "The Tonight Show" begins on October 1, 1962, with Ed McMahon as his announcer, succeeding Hugh Downs and Ed Herlihy.
1962: Downs Transitions to "Today"
In 1962, Hugh Downs transitions from "Tonight Starring Jack Paar" to become the co-host of the NBC News program "Today."
1964: Downs Concludes Role as UN Consultant
Hugh Downs concludes his service as a special consultant to the United Nations in 1964.
1967: Downs Honored with Order of Lincoln
Hugh Downs receives the Order of Lincoln, the highest honor in the state of Illinois, from the governor in 1967.
1969: Downs's Tenure on "Concentration" Ends
Hugh Downs's time as host of the game show "Concentration" comes to an end in 1969.
October 1971: Downs Departs from "Today" Show
Hugh Downs concludes his role as co-host of the "Today" show in October 1971.
1971: Downs Departs from "Today" Show
After nine years, Hugh Downs departs from his role as co-host of the "Today" show in 1971.
1975: Downs Co-Hosts "Not for Women Only"
Hugh Downs, alongside Barbara Walters, co-hosts the syndicated television program "Not for Women Only" in 1975.
1977: Downs Hosts "Over Easy" and Pursues Gerontology Studies
While hosting the PBS television program "Over Easy," focused on aging, Hugh Downs pursues a postgraduate degree in gerontology from Hunter College in 1977.
1978: Downs Joins "20/20" as Co-Anchor
Hugh Downs begins his tenure as co-anchor of the ABC news TV show "20/20" in 1978.
1978: Downs Joins "20/20" as Co-Anchor
Hugh Downs partners with Barbara Walters as co-anchor of the ABC News magazine "20/20" in 1978.
1983: "Over Easy" Concludes
The PBS television program "Over Easy," hosted by Hugh Downs, concludes its run in 1983.
1984: Downs Inducted into Air & Space Hall of Fame and Earns Guinness World Record
Hugh Downs receives two notable honors in 1984: induction into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame and recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records for the most hours on network commercial television.
1990: Downs Begins Hosting "Live from Lincoln Center"
Hugh Downs takes on the role of host for the PBS classical music showcase "Live from Lincoln Center" in 1990.
1996: Downs's Time Hosting "Live from Lincoln Center" Ends
Hugh Downs concludes his run as host of "Live from Lincoln Center" in 1996.
1999: Downs Retires from "20/20"
Hugh Downs retires from his position as co-anchor of "20/20" in 1999, concluding a long and successful run on the show.
1999: Downs Retires from "20/20"
Hugh Downs steps down from his position as co-anchor of "20/20" in 1999.
2003: Downs Appears in Infomercials, Sparking Controversy
Hugh Downs appears in infomercials, including one for "Where There's a Will There's an A," in 2003, which draws criticism and sparks debate about the products' legitimacy.
2004: Downs Loses Record to Regis Philbin
Regis Philbin surpasses Hugh Downs's record for the most hours on all forms of television in 2004.
February 2012: Downs Narrates "Lincoln Portrait"
Hugh Downs participates in Arizona's centennial celebration in February 2012 by narrating Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait" with the Phoenix Symphony.
March 28, 2017: Ruth Shaheen, wife of Hugh Downs, passes away
On March 28, 2017, Ruth Shaheen, Hugh Downs' wife of many years, passed away at the age of 95.
2019: Downs Steps Down as Chair of National Space Society
Hugh Downs concludes his tenure as chair of the Board of Governors of the National Space Society in 2019.
July 1, 2020: Hugh Downs passes away
Hugh Downs, a prominent figure in American television, passes away on July 1, 2020.