HUGH DOWNS, 97 YEARS OLD

From the mid-1940s until the late 1990s, Hugh Downs had several successful mornings, primetime, and late-night television programs. The host held the Guinness World Record for the most hours on commercial network television for several years before getting surpassed by Regis Philbin. From 1957 to 1962, Downs served as sidekick and announcer for the television show Tonight, Starring Jack Paar, and co-hosted the NBC News program Today from 1962 until 1971.

Downs began his radio career in 1939 and live television in 1945 in Chicago. Over the following decade, he became a regular on several programs that were nationally broadcasted. In 1954, Downs went to New York City upon an invitation to do a program. Downs also hosted Over Easy talk show on PBS and occasionally co-hosted the syndicated talk show Not for Women Only. Aside from his entertainment career, the host also served as the United States’ special consultant to the United Nations for refugee problems from 1961 to 1964—credit to his compassion.