Hugh Downs

Downs (1921- ), a television journalist and announcer, hosted the television game show, "Concentration" from 1958 to 1968, and the news shows "Today Show" (1962-1971), "Over Easy" (1977-1980) and "20/20" (1978 to the present). Downs produced many television documentaries, commercial and educational films through his production company Raylin Productions. He also worked as a reporter and narrator for television news specials and documentaries. Downs is active in several areas of interest including space technology, mental health, population control and problems of the aged. He serves with many public service organizations, is chairman of the board of the U.S. Committee for UNICEF and has served on the NASA Advisory Council.

Hugh Downs, a well known television journalist and author, was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1921. He began his career in broadcasting as an announcer for a radio station in Lima, Ohio, in 1939 when he was 19. In 1943, after serving in the U.S. Army, he became a staff announcer with NBC in Chicago.

In 1954 NBC brought him to New York to announce the nationally syndicated "Home Show," 1954-1957, where he became one of the most well known television personalities in the United States. He went on to announce "Sid Caesar's Hour," 1956-1958; "The Tonight Show" with Jack Paar, 1957-1962; "Concentration," 1958-1968 and "The Today Show," 1962-1971. He retired from network television in 1971.

From 1971 through 1976 Mr. Downs primarily produced television documentaries, talk and game shows, and industrial, commercial and educational films through his production company Raylin Productions, Inc. In 1977 he returned to network television to host PBS' critically acclaimed "Over Easy," 1977-1981 and ABC's "20/20" from 1978 through the present time.

In addition Mr. Downs was a reporter/narrator for a wide range of televised news specials and documentaries, including "The American Wilderness," "Growing Old in America," "The First Americans," "The Ice People," "The Poisoning of America" and "The Great Barrier Reef." He has received many awards, citations and honorary degrees for his enduring contributions to broadcast journalism.

Mr. Downs is much in demand as a lecturer, speaking on such topics as communication, population control, mental health, problems of the aged in America, and space technology. He also serves as an officer of many public service organizations, including United States Committee for UNICEF, Brookdale Center on Aging, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and National Space Institute.

His production company, Raylin Productions, Inc., produces television documentaries, industrial and educational films and commercials. It also handles his speaking engagements and other public appearances.

Books written by Mr. Downs include Yours Truly, Hugh Downs (1960), A Shoal Of Stars (1967), Rings Around Tomorrow (1969), Potential (1973), Thirty Dirty Lies About Old Men (1979), The Best Years Book (1980) and On Camera (1986).

From the guide to the Hugh Downs Papers, 1916-1992, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)