Dade Hayes Finance EditorHugh Downs, who began appearing on television at the dawn of the medium and gained fame as co-host of 20/20, host of Today and as Jack Paar’s sidekick on the Tonight Show, has died.The Washington Post and New York Times cited a statement from Downs’ family in reporting his death on July 1 at his home in Scottsdale, AZ.
The cause of death was reported to be a heart ailment.Downs appeared on air for more than 10,000 hours, which was a record until Regis Philbin eclipsed it in 2004.Viewers in more recent years got to know Downs during his long co-hosting stint with Barbara Walters on 20/20.
In her 2008 memoir, Audition, the Post recalled, Walters noted their different approaches but also her fondness for Downs. “Hugh.
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