Hugh Malcolm Downs

Hugh Malcolm Downs

• b. February 14, 1921 Akron, Ohio
• parents: Milton Downs and Edith Hicks
• wife: Ruth Shaheen, married 1944
• daughter: Deirdre Downs

Hugh Malcolm Downs is a long-time American broadcaster, television host, news anchor, TV producer, author, game show host, and music composer. He is perhaps best known for his roles as co-host of the NBC News program Today from 1962 to 1971, host of the Concentration game show from 1958 to 1969, and anchor of the ABC News magazine 20/20 from 1978 to 1999. In addition, he's served as announcer/sidekick for Tonight Starring Jack Paar, host of the PBS talk show Over Easy, and co-host of the syndicated talk show Not for Women Only.

Downs served in the United States Army during World War II in 1943. He also attended Columbia University in New York City during 1955–56.

On October 13, 2007, Downs was one of the first inductees into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, Nevada. Downs was inducted as a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and awarded the Order of Lincoln (the State's highest honor) by the Governor of Illinois in 1967 in the area of communications.

from: Wikipedia