Hugh Downs

Hugh Downs was an American radio and television broadcaster and host.

Serving in the 123rd infantry during World War II, the U.S. Army veteran is perhaps is best known for anchoring the ABC news program 20/20 with Barbara Walters and for hosting NBC's Today.

A regular television presence for over fifty years, Downs started out as the announcer on the 1949 children's television series Kukla, Fran and Ollie.

He would go on to announce Sid Caesar's variety show, Caesar's Hour, serve as announcer and sidekick on The Tonight Show with Jack Paar for over 1,000 episodes, host the daytime series Concentration, appear on Match Game, The Merv Griffin Show, The Dick Cavett Show, The Hollywood Squares, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Larry King Live, guest host The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and host Live From Lincoln Center.

Downs also narrated several documentaries and specials including The American Wilderness, The Everglades, The Great Barrier Reef, and Survival on the Prairie.

He was a two-time Primetime Emmy winner and a five-time nominee.

Downs died on July 1, 2020, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 99.