Biography
Downs has never been considered a newsman, yet he has hosted two news programs NBC's "Today" and ABC's "20/20". He has never been considered an entertainer, yet he was the announcer for Sid Caesar's variety series "Caesar's Hour" (NBC, 1956-57) and for Jack Paar during Paar's reign as host of "The Tonight Show" (NBC, 1957-62). Downs was not a career game show host, yet he was emcee for NBC's "Concentration" for 11 years from 1958-69. If he …
Latest Tv Credits
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Career Milestones
| Was staff announcer for NBC in Chicago | ||
1939 | Began broadcasting career as a radio announcer in Lima, OH | |
1940 | Served as staff announcer for WWJ in Detroit, MI | |
1942 | Made acting debut with uncredited role of a reporter in "Roxie Hart," starring Ginger Rogers | |
1943 | Served briefly in the U.S. Army | |
1949 | Was announcer on the children's show "Kukla, Fran and Ollie" (NBC, ABC) | |
1951 | Hosted "Your Luncheon Date" | |
1956 | Worked as announcer for "Caesar's Hour" (NBC) | |
1958 | Worked as announcer for "The Jack Paar Tonight Show" (NBC) | |
1960 | Published autobiography Yours Truly, Hugh Downs" | |
1962 | Began anchoring for NBC's "Today" | |
1966 | Hosted NBC game show "Concentration" | |
1975 | Executive produced and narrated the documentary "Nothing by Chance" | |
1978 | Anchored the ABC newsmagazine "20/20"; in the 1980s, reunited with Barbara Walters from the "Today" show | |
1978 | Emceed talk program "Over Easy" (PBS) | |
1980 | Made a cameo as a newscaster in the comedy feature "Oh, God! Book II" | |
1990 | Hosted PBS classical music showcase "Live From Lincoln Center" | |
2001 | Made a guest voice appearance on animated series "Family Guy" (Fox) | |
2007 | Inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, NV | |
Awards
1970 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement In Daytime Programming in Today |