Hugh Downs is an American journalist best known for playing Anchor in 20/20.
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Best Known For:The television show 20/20
Breakthrough:Began his professional broadcasting career in 1939
10 Quick Facts About Hugh Downs
- Full Name: Hugh Downs
- Nationality: American
- Profession: News anchor and host
- Known For: The television show 20/20
- Date of Birth: February 14, 1921
- Age: 105 years old
- Place of Birth: Akron, Ohio
- Marital Status: Widowed
- Spouse / Partner: Ruth Shaheen
- Popular As: Hugh Malcolm Downs
Hugh Downs Age
Hugh Downs is about 105 years old as of 2026. Hugh Downs was born in 1921.
Education
His educational background includes studies at Shawnee High School, Bluffton College, and other institutions.
- Shawnee High School
- Bluffton College
- Wayne State University
- Period: 1938–1941
- Columbia University
- Period: 1955–1956
Career & Work
Hugh Downs' career includes news and reporting roles with ABC News, a news outlet and PBS.
Organization: ABC News
Role: Anchor and Host, 20/20
Period: 1978–1999
Details: United States · Anchored the television newsmagazine, including a long partnership with Barbara Walters.
Organization: PBS
Role: Host, Over Easy
Period: 1977–1983
Details: United States · Hosted programming addressing aging, retirement and older Americans.
Organization: NBC
Role: Co-host, Today
Period: 1962–1971
Details: United States
Organization: NBC
Role: Host, Concentration
Period: 1958–1969
Details: United States · Hosted the daytime memory-based game show.
Organization: NBC
Role: Announcer and Sidekick, Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Period: 1957–1962
Details: New York · Served as announcer and on-air partner to Jack Paar.
Organization: NBC
Role: Radio and Television Announcer
Period: 1940s–1950s
Details: Chicago and New York · Worked at WMAQ-TV in Chicago and subsequently on network television.
Rise to Fame
Hugh Downs rose to prominence for his role on the television show 20/20.
Notable Works
Notable media work includes 20/20, Today, and Concentration.
Television
- TV Show: 20/20 (Anchor, 1978-1999) — ABC News investigative and general-interest newsmagazine
- TV Show: Today (Co-host, 1962-1971) — NBC morning television program
- TV Show: Concentration (Host, 1958-1969) — NBC daytime game show
- TV Show: Tonight Starring Jack Paar (Announcer and Sidekick, 1957-1962) — Late-night NBC entertainment program
- TV Show: Over Easy (Host, 1977-1983) — PBS program about aging and life in later years
- TV Show: Live from Lincoln Center (Presenter) — Televised performing arts programming
Books
- Book: My America (Author and Editor, 2002) — Collection of perspectives on American identity
Notable Coverage
- Major national and international events - ABC News - Anchored and presented reporting on the ABC newsmagazine 20/20
Awards & Achievements
- Daytime Emmy Award — NATAS — Outstanding Host
Hugh Downs Family & Relationships
Hugh Downs is widowed. He has 2 children, Hugh Raymond Downs and Deirdre Downs.
- Father: Milton Howard Downs
- Mother: Edith Hicks Downs
- Children:
- Hugh Raymond Downs
- Deirdre Downs
Lesser Known Facts
- He served in the United States Army during the Second World War.
- He earned certificates in geriatric medicine and social gerontology.
- He composed a cello piece performed by Yo-Yo Ma.
- He once held a Guinness World Record for more than 10,000 hours of television airtime.
Personal Information
- Full Name: Hugh Downs
- Popular As: Hugh Malcolm Downs
- Gender: Male
- Occupation: News anchor and host
- Nationality: American
- Living Status: Deceased
- Ethnicity: White
Birth & Background
- Date of Birth: February 14, 1921
- Age: 105
- Birthday: February 14
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Place of Birth: Akron, Ohio
Family & Relationships
- Father: Milton Howard Downs
- Mother: Edith Hicks Downs
- Marital Status: Widowed
- Spouse / Partner: Ruth Shaheen
Net Worth & Income
- Salary: $87,000–$380,000 (Estimated range)
- Net Worth: $421,000–$6,017,000 (Estimated range)
- Source of Income: Broadcast employment and related professional work
Related Biographies
- Barbara Walters (Colleague • Longtime broadcasting colleague on Today and 20/20.)
- Jack Paar (Colleague • Worked together on The Tonight Show.)
- Ruth Downs (Spouse • His wife from 1944 until her death in 2017.)
