Television Figure. He was an American television talk show host of "The Morton Downey Jr. Show", airing first in New York-New Jersey in 1987 before going nationally and ending in 1989. The show was known for its confrontational behavior, with guests being "in-your-face" while having screaming matches. His career started in radio before he became interested in music, becoming a D.J. In bit parts, he appeared in eleven films. Some sources credit him with the 1960s instrumental rock hits "Wipeout" and "Pipeline." Although posted on Downey's website that he composed the 1963 instrumental rock hit "Wipeout," evidence prove otherwise. Reaching #2 on the National Billboard hits, the song was composed by Bob Berryhill, Pat Connolly, Jim Fuller and Ron Wilson. Reaching the National Billboard #4 spot, the hit single, "Pipeline" was recorded in July of 1962 on the Downey label, owned by Bill Wenzel and composed by Brian Carman and Bob Spickard. He was the son of popular singer Morton Downey and dancer Barbara Bennett. Known for his chain smoking while on television, he became an anti-smoking crusader after losing a lung to cancer in 1996. In 1988 he received from the Women's Press Club the Golden Apple Award, in recognition for being an easy to work with actor. He married four times and had three children.
Television Figure. He was an American television talk show host of "The Morton Downey Jr. Show", airing first in New York-New Jersey in 1987 before going nationally and ending in 1989. The show was known for its confrontational behavior, with guests being "in-your-face" while having screaming matches. His career started in radio before he became interested in music, becoming a D.J. In bit parts, he appeared in eleven films. Some sources credit him with the 1960s instrumental rock hits "Wipeout" and "Pipeline." Although posted on Downey's website that he composed the 1963 instrumental rock hit "Wipeout," evidence prove otherwise. Reaching #2 on the National Billboard hits, the song was composed by Bob Berryhill, Pat Connolly, Jim Fuller and Ron Wilson. Reaching the National Billboard #4 spot, the hit single, "Pipeline" was recorded in July of 1962 on the Downey label, owned by Bill Wenzel and composed by Brian Carman and Bob Spickard. He was the son of popular singer Morton Downey and dancer Barbara Bennett. Known for his chain smoking while on television, he became an anti-smoking crusader after losing a lung to cancer in 1996. In 1988 he received from the Women's Press Club the Golden Apple Award, in recognition for being an easy to work with actor. He married four times and had three children.
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