Biography for
Morton Downey Jr. More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

9 December 1933, Los Angeles, California, USA

Date of Death

12 March 2001, Los Angeles, California, USA (lung cancer, respiratory problems)

Birth Name

Sean Morton Downey Jr.

Nickname

Mort the Mouth

Height

5' 8½" (1.74 m)

Mini Biography

Talk-show host and songwriter ("Because We're Young", "Hearts Are Wild"), composer, author, actor and singer, educated at New York University (BS) and a two-year Law School student. He was a program director and announcer at WPOP in Hartford, Connecticut, and later made several records under his birth name. Joining ASCAP in 1960, his other popular-song compositions include "Now I Lay Me Down to Cry", "Ballad of Billy Brown", "Flattery", and "Don't Mention My Name".

IMDb Mini Biography By: Hup234!

Mini Biography

However, it would not be until the late 1980's when Morton Downey, Jr. truly became a household name. "The Morton Downey, Jr. Show" was launched in syndication in 1987, carried by many independent television stations. The show generated such controversy that many stations aired numerous disclaimers before and after the show. The controversy arose from debates between guests that often turned physical (as a broadcast at the Apollo theater later proved). The show created a legion of fans and made Downeyisms like "Zip it!" and "Loudmouth" a part of 80's American pop culture.

Downey's popularity began to wane in 1989, after he appeared on his show in dark glasses and cropped hair, due to what he claimed to be an attack by Nazi Skinheads in San Francisco. No evidence was found by police to substantiate the claim, and in 1992, Downey admitted the attack was a hoax. His show was canceled later that year.

Downey finally quit his trademark chain-smoking in 1996 when he was diagnosed with lung cancer, eventually leading to the removal of his left lung. The disease finally killed him in March of 2001 at the age of 67.

IMDb Mini Biography By: radiohawk@hotmail.com

Spouse

Lori Krebs	(20 March 1993 - 12 March 2001) (his death)
Kim Cotten	(18 March 1978 - 1989) (divorced)
Joan Tyrrell	(1962 - 1978) (divorced) 2 children
?	(1954 - ?) (divorced) 1 daughter

Trade Mark

Chain-smoking talk show host

Saying "Zip it!" to unruly guests on the show

Trivia

Son of singer Morton Downey and dancer Barbara Bennett

Nephew of actresses Constance Bennett & Joan Bennett.

He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1996, and had part of his right lung removed. The remainder of the lung was removed in March 1998 with the discovery of a small tumor.

Part owner of ABA (American Basketball Association) team New Orleans Buccaneers.

Planned in 1974 to start the World Baseball League in 32 worldwide cities with franchises selling for $150,000. Plans never got off the ground.

Grandson of Richard Bennett and Adrienne Morrison.

Personal Quotes

"Baseball as presently played and structured is a bore."

Browse biographies section by name

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z