Hugh Downs, one of the most familiar American television figures in the history of the medium, was anchor for ABC News’ 20/20 from 1978 to 1999, concentrating on issues of medicine, science, family, adventure, aging, space and the arts.
Selections of Hugh Downs’ widely acclaimed adventure stories and travels around the globe—trademarks of his 21 years with the program—have been aired in special anniversary editions in 1988, 1993 and 1998. Among others, segments on glider aerobatics, diving features, covering marine archeology, the Great White Shark (from a cage) and visits to underwater habitats; taking the same astronaut training as John Glenn to cover Sen. Glenn’s return to space in 1998.
In 1990, Hugh Downs anchored a one-hour ABC News special, “Depression, Beyond the Darkness,” which focused on a devastating illness that afflicts as many as 20 million Americans each year. The broadcast examined how the illness can be treated and how individual sufferers and their loved ones cope with the trouble it brings. In 1991 the American Psychiatric Association honored Mr. Downs with its Robert L. Robinson Award for his work on this Special.
