Hugh Downs Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Hugh Downs, whose congeniality and authoritative manner allowed him to move between the world of games shows and U.S. network news, has died at the age of 99, according to U.S. media reports.

“20/20” has found its new co-anchor.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Deborah Roberts is taking up co-anchor duties at ABC News’ “20/20,” the latest in a line of distinguished anchors that includes Barbra Walters, Hugh Downs, Diane Sawyer, Connie Chung and Elizabeth Vargas who have led the long-running newsmagazine. Roberts is no stranger to the series’ rhythms. She has been contributing to it for 28 years, ever since she joined ABC News in 1995, recruited by Barbara Walters.

NEW YORK -- Hugh Downs, the genial, versatile broadcaster who became one of television’s most familiar and welcome faces with more than 15,000 hours on news, game and talk shows, has died at age 99. Downs died of natural causes at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Wednesday, said his great-niece, Molly Shaheen.

By Bill Trott(Reuters) - Hugh Downs, whose congeniality and authoritative manner allowed him to move between the world of game shows and U.S. network news, has died at the age of 99, the Arizona school named after him said on Thursday.

Hugh Downs, whose congeniality and authoritative manner allowed him to move between the world of games shows and U.S. network news, has died at the age of 99, according to U.S.

His wife, Ruth Shaheen Downs, died in 2017 at the age of 95. They were married for 63 years.Downs is survived by his daughter, Deirdre; his son, Hugh R.

Downs became familiar to American TV viewers as the announcer for “The Tonight Show”, hosted by Jack Paar from 1957 until 1962. Around the same time, he began hosting the popular TV game show “Concentration,” a position he held for ten years.

Carmel Dagan Staff WriterHugh Downs, anchorman for the ABC news program “20/20” and, before that, NBC’s “The Today Show,” died Wednesday in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was 99.Downs’ career in broadcasting spanned more than half a century.

to local news in Scottsdale, Arizona, where Downs had been living. Neither Sheehan nor his family has responded to TheWrap’s request for confirmation.Downs was best known for co-anchoring “20/20” with Barbara Walters from the show’s second episode in 1978 until his retirement in 1999.