Morton Downey Jr.
Morton Downey Jr. was a multi-talented individual known for his work as a talk-show host, songwriter, composer, author, actor, and singer.
Movie Actor | Soundtrack
December 9, 1933
March 12, 2001
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Morton Downey Jr. was a versatile American figure, known for his work as a television talk show host, political commentator, songwriter, composer, author, actor, and singer. He gained prominence for hosting the confrontational and controversial talk show, The Morton Downey Jr. Show, from 1987 to 1989. Apart from this, he authored the book “Loudmouth: Tales (and Fantasies) of Sports, Sex, and Salvation from Behind the Microphone,” appeared in various TV shows and movies, and released a politically-themed album called “The Pope of the Negatives.” In 2018, he was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.
An interesting tidbit about Downey is that he created a music video for his song “Zip It!” in the late 1980s, which gained popularity on MTV. The video featured him alongside celebrities like Sally Kirkland and Victoria Jackson, lip-synching the lyrics and showcasing his confrontational style through talk show footage.
The 2012 documentary “Ãvocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie” chronicled his rise and fall as a controversial TV figure, featuring interviews with Downey and other notable personalities such as Glenn Beck and Victoria Jackson. Despite his contentious image, Downey had a successful career as a songwriter and composer, with hits like “Because We’re Young” and “Hearts Are Wild.” He also acted in films like “Ghost Catchers” and appeared in the TV series “Diagnosis Murder.”
Morton Downey Jr.’s significant impact on the entertainment world, particularly through his provocative talk show, continues to be remembered through documentaries and his Radio Hall of Fame induction.
