Editing Morton Downey Jr.

{{Short description|American television talk show host (1932–2001)}}
{{About|the talk show host|his father and singer|Morton Downey}}
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{{Infobox person
|image = Loz downey.jpg
|caption = Morton Downey Jr.
|birth_name = Sean Morton Downey<ref name="Rossen">{{cite web |last1=Rossen |first1=Jake |title=A Mouthful: When 'The Morton Downey Jr. Show' Ruled the Airwaves |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/morton-downey-jr-talk-show-1980s |website=Mental Floss |access-date=8 April 2025 |language=en-us |date=16 March 2023}}</ref>
|birth_date = {{birth date|1932|12|09}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Downey|first=Morton Jr.|title=Mort! Mort! Mort!: No place to hide|publisher=Delacorte Press|year=1988|page=169|isbn=0440500923|quote='Can you prove that you're Morton Downey Jr.?' he asked. I had an idea. 'Do you have a morgue here, a file of old articles?' I asked. I dug into old issues of the ''Examiner'' from the days following my birth on December 9, 1932. Sure enough, in the December 11th issue I found a picture of Morton Downey and Barbara Bennett, holding a little baby. Me.}}</ref>
|birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], California, U.S.
|death_date = {{Death date and age|2001|03|12|1932|12|09|mf=yes}}
|death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|occupation = [[Talk show|Talk show host]], actor
|party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|children = 4
|parents = [[Morton Downey]]<br/>[[Barbara Bennett]]
|relatives = [[Richard Bennett (actor)|Richard Bennett]] (grandfather)<br />[[Adrienne Morrison]] (grandmother)<br />{{nowrap|[[Lewis Morrison]] (great-grandfather)}}<br />[[Constance Bennett]] (aunt)<br />[[Joan Bennett]] (aunt)
}}

''' Morton Downey Jr.''' (December 9, 1932 – March 12, 2001), born '''Sean Morton Downey''', was an American television [[talk show]] host and actor who pioneered the "[[Tabloid talk show|trash TV]]" format in the late-1980s on his program ''[[The Morton Downey Jr. Show]]''.<ref name="CNNObit">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/13/obit.morton.downey.ap/index.html |title=Trash TV icon Morton Downey Jr. dies|publisher=CNN|date=March 13, 2001|access-date=2009-08-07 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010316014541/http://www.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/13/obit.morton.downey.ap/index.html |archive-date = 2001-03-16}}</ref><ref name ="NHR">{{cite news|url=https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Morton-Downey-Jr-trash-TV-pioneer-68-11705335.php|title=Morton Downey Jr., trash TV pioneer, 68|agency=Associated Press|date=14 March 2001|website=New Haven Register|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>

==Early life==
Downey's roots were in show business; his father, [[Morton Downey]], was a popular singer, and his mother, [[Barbara Bennett]], was a stage and film actress and singer and dancer. His aunts included Hollywood film stars [[Constance Bennett|Constance]] and [[Joan Bennett]], and his maternal grandfather was [[matinée idol]] [[Richard Bennett (actor)|Richard Bennett]]. His wealthy family spent their summers next door to the [[Kennedy family|Kennedy]] compound in [[Hyannis Port, Massachusetts]].<ref name="washpost"/> Downey attended [[New York University]].<ref name ="Saxon">{{cite news| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/14/arts/morton-downey-jr-67-combative-tv-host.html |title=Morton Downey Jr., 67, Combative TV Host |author=Wolfgang Saxon|newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date = March 14, 2001}}</ref>

==Career==
Downey worked as a [[program director]] and [[announcer]] at radio station [[WPOP]] in [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]], [[Connecticut]], in the 1950s.{{fact|date=April 2025}} He went on to work as a [[disc jockey]], sometimes using the moniker "Doc" Downey, in various markets around the U.S., including [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] (KRIZ), [[Miami]] ([[WAXY (AM)|WFUN]]), [[Kansas City]] (KUDL), [[San Diego]] ([[KECR|KDEO]]) and [[Seattle]] ([[KJR (AM)|KJR]]). He had to resign from WFUN after drawing ire from the [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]] for announcing a competing disc jockey's home phone number on the air and insulting his wife.{{fact|date=April 2025}}  Like his father, Downey pursued a career in music, recording in both [[pop music|pop]] and [[country music|country]] styles.{{fact|date=April 2025}} He sang on a few [[gramophone record|records]] and then began to write songs, several of which were popular in the 1950s and 1960s.{{fact|date=April 2025}} In 1958, he recorded "[[Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Al Dubin song)|Boulevard of Broken Dreams]]", which he sang on national television on a set that resembled a dark street with one street light.{{fact|date=April 2025}} In 1981, "Green Eyed Girl" charted on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' country chart, peaking at No. 95.{{fact|date=April 2025}}

In the 1980s, Downey became a [[Talk radio|talk show]] host at [[KFBK (AM)|KFBK]]-[[AM radio|AM]] in [[Sacramento, California]], where he employed an abrasive style.{{fact|date=April 2025}} He was fired in 1984, and was subsequently replaced by [[Rush Limbaugh]]. He also had a stint on [[WSCR|WMAQ-AM]] in Chicago where he unsuccessfully tried to get other on air radio personalities to submit to drug testing.{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}} Downey's largest effect on American culture came from his popular, yet short-lived, syndicated late 1980s television talk show, ''[[The Morton Downey Jr. Show]]''.<ref name="CNNObit"/>

===Anti-abortion activism===
On January 22, 1980, Downey, a devoted anti-abortionist, hosted the California State Rally for Life at the invitation of the [[California ProLife Council]] and United Students for Life. At that time, he was also running for President of the United States, as a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]].{{fact|date=April 2025}}{{clarify|The table below says American Independent Party, but this says Democratic|date=April 2025}} The United Students for Life, at [[California State University, Sacramento]] helped organize his California presidential rallies. Downey worked to help promote [[anti-abortion]] candidates in California and around the country.<ref name ="Rally">"Rally for Life held in Capital", by: Times Herald, Vallejo, January 22, 1980, Page 16.</ref>

{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
|+
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! colspan="3" | American Independent Party – California Presidential Primary, 1980 <ref name="ourcampaigns10">{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=54968|title=Our Campaigns – CA US President – AIP Primary Race – Jun 03, 1980|publisher=ourcampaigns.com|accessdate=2016-07-22}}</ref>
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! Candidate
! # Votes
! % Votes
|-
|'''[[Morton Downey, Jr.]]'''
|10,838
|51.11
|-
|[[John R. Rarick]]
|10,358
|48.85
|-
|Others
|9
|0.04
|-
|-
|-
|
|
|
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
|'''Total'''
|21,205
|100.00
|-
|}

===Television===
Downey headed to [[Secaucus, New Jersey]], where his [[television program]] ''The Morton Downey Jr. Show'' was taped. Starting as a local program on [[New York (state)|New York]]–[[New Jersey]] [[superstation]] [[WWOR-TV]] in October 1987, it expanded into national [[Broadcast syndication|syndication]] in early 1988. The program featured screaming matches among Downey, his guests, and audience members. Using a large silver bowl for an [[ashtray]], he would [[chainsmoke]] during the show and blow smoke in his guests' faces. Downey's fans became known as "Loudmouths", patterned after the studio [[lectern]]s decorated with gaping cartoon mouths, from which Downey's guests would go head-to-head against each other on their respective issues.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/12/19/morton-downey-jr-is-in-game-form/|title=Morton Downey Jr. Is In Game Form|author= Rick Kogan|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date = December 19, 1988}}</ref>

On a few occasions, his attempts to provoke outbursts on his show resulted in physical confrontations.<ref name="CNNObit"/> One such incident occurred on a 1988 show taped at the [[Apollo Theater]], involving [[Al Sharpton]] and [[Congress of Racial Equality|CORE]] National Chairman [[Roy Innis]]. The exchange between the two men culminated in Innis shoving Sharpton and knocking him to the floor, and Downey intervening to separate the pair.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/04/24/morton-downey-jr-s-top-outbursts-ron-paul-al-sharpton-more-video.html|title= Morton Downey Jr.'s Top Outbursts: Ron Paul, Al Sharpton, More (VIDEO)|author= Marlow Stern |website=[[The Daily Beast]] |date = April 24, 2012}}</ref>

Because of the controversial format and content of the show, distributor [[MCA Television]] had problems selling the show to a number of stations and advertisers. Even Downey's [[affiliates]], many of which were low-rated [[independent television stations]] in small to medium markets, were so fearful of advertiser and viewer backlash that they would air one or even two local [[disclaimers]] during the broadcast.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoffman |first1=Ken |title=When it comes to garbage TV, Downey set the standard |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/columnists/hoffman/article/When-it-comes-to-garbage-TV-Downey-set-the-6404152.php |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=24 July 2015 |publisher=The Houston Chronicle |access-date=27 November 2019}}</ref>

During one controversial episode Downey introduced his [[gay]] brother, Tony Downey, to his studio audience and informed them Tony was [[HIV]] positive. During the episode Downey stated he was afraid his audience would abandon him if they knew he had a gay brother, but then said he did not care.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20099240,00.html|title=His Love for a Brother Brings Morton Downey's Compassion Out of the Closet|magazine=[[People (American magazine)|People]]|date=June 20, 1988|access-date=2009-10-01}}</ref>

''[[The Washington Post]]'' wrote about him, "Suppose a maniac got hold of a talk show. Or need we suppose?" [[David Letterman]] said, "I'm always amazed at what people will fall for. We see this every ten or twelve years, an attempt at this, and I guess from that standpoint I don't quite understand why everybody's falling over backwards over the guy."<ref>"Shriek! Chic! It's Morton Downey!; Talk's Mr. Nasty, Coming On Strong With the Art of Abuse", ''The Washington Post'', July 6, 1988, Tom Shales</ref>{{VN|date=April 2025}}

===Celebrity, cancellation, and bankruptcy===
The success of the show made Downey a pop culture celebrity, leading to appearances on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in 1988,<ref>{{cite book |last=Sanders|first=Clinton|date=1990 |title=Marginal Conventions: Popular Culture, Mass Media, and Social Deviance |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6qrkb55RlUAC&q=morton+downey+jr+appearance+saturday+night+live&pg=PA173|publisher=Popular Press |page=173 |isbn=9780879724900 |access-date=August 17, 2014 }}</ref> [[WrestleMania V]] in 1989 in which he traded insults with [[Roddy Piper]] and [[Bruce Prichard|Brother Love]] on ''[[Piper's Pit]]'', and later roles in movies such as ''[[Predator 2]]'' and ''[[Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation]]''.<ref name="CNNObit"/> He was also cast in several television roles, often playing tabloid TV hosts or other obnoxious media types.<ref name="CNNObit"/> Downey notably starred in the ''[[Tales from the Crypt (TV series)|Tales from the Crypt]]'' episode "[[Television Terror]]" which utilized several scenes shot by characters within the story, a format which became popular in horror films a decade later with the [[Found footage (pseudo-documentary)|found footage]] genre.

In 1989, Downey released an album of songs based on his show entitled ''[[Morton Downey Jr. Sings]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-04-04-ca-1068-story.html|title=Morton Downey Jr.--The Mouth Goes on the Record|first=Robert|last=Hilburn|date=4 April 1989|access-date=28 February 2019|via=LA Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Morton Downey Jr. Sings|url=https://www.amazon.com/Morton-Downey-Jr-Sings/dp/B0007Z2SKS|work=Amazon.com Music Listings|access-date=23 August 2011}}</ref> The album's single, "Zip It!" (a catch-phrase from the TV show, used to quiet an irate guest), became a surprise hit on some college radio stations. However, over the course of the 1988–89 television season, his TV show suffered a decline in viewership, resulting in many markets downgrading its time slot; even flagship station WWOR moved Downey's program from its original 9:00 PM slot to 11:30 PM in the fall of 1988. Beginning in January 1989, the time slot immediately following Downey's program was given to the then-new ''[[Arsenio Hall Show]]''. Following Hall's strong early ratings, however, the two series swapped time slots several weeks later, thus relegating Downey to 12:30 AM in the number-one [[television market]]. {{Citation needed|date=June 2013}}

In late April 1989, Downey was involved in an incident in a [[San Francisco International Airport]] restroom in which he claimed to have been attacked by [[neo-Nazi]]s who painted a [[swastika]] on his face and attempted to shave his head.<ref>{{cite news|title=TV Host Takes a Beating|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/43987/TV-HOST-TAKES-A-BEATING.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024021914/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/43987/TV-HOST-TAKES-A-BEATING.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 24, 2012|access-date=23 August 2011|newspaper=Deseret News|date=26 April 1989}}</ref> Some inconsistencies in Downey's account (e.g., the swastika was painted in reverse, suggesting that Downey had drawn it himself in a [[mirror]]), and the failure of the [[police]] to find supportive evidence,<ref>{{cite news|title=Attacked or Not?|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/45045/ATTACKED-OR-NOT.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024021925/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/45045/ATTACKED-OR-NOT.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 24, 2012|access-date=August 23, 2011|newspaper=Deseret news|date=May 3, 1989}}</ref> led many to suspect the incident was a [[hoax]] and a ploy for attention.<ref name="washpost">{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-412459.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026094823/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-412459.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 26, 2012|title='Mort the Mouth' Downey Jr. Dies; 'Trash TV' Talk-Show Host's Draw Was Shocking, Mocking|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 14, 2001|access-date=2009-08-07}}</ref><ref name="CBSDeath"/> In July 1989, his show was canceled, with the owners of the show announcing that the last episode had been taped on June 30, and that no new shows would air after September 15, 1989.<ref>{{cite web|title=Morton Downey Jr. Show is History|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/56373/MORTON-DOWNEY-JR-SHOW-IS-HISTORY.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426194257/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/56373/MORTON-DOWNEY-JR-SHOW-IS-HISTORY.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 26, 2012|work=Deseretnews.com|access-date=August 23, 2011|date=July 23, 1989}}</ref>

At the time of its cancellation, the show was airing on a total of 70 stations across the country, and its advertisers had been reduced primarily to "direct-response" ads (such as 900 chat line and [[phone sex]] numbers).<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/20/arts/downey-show-canceled.html|work=The New York Times|first=Jeremy|last=Gerard|title=Downey Show Canceled|date=July 20, 1989}}</ref> In February 1990, Downey filed for [[bankruptcy]] in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey.<ref>{{cite news|title=Downey Wants Protection from Creditors|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/88157/DOWNEY-WANTS-PROTECTION-FROM-CREDITORS.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024022006/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/88157/DOWNEY-WANTS-PROTECTION-FROM-CREDITORS.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 24, 2012|access-date=August 23, 2011|newspaper=Deseret News|date=February 22, 1989}}</ref>

===Later career===
In 1990, Downey resurfaced on [[CNBC]] with an interview program called ''Showdown'', which was followed by three attempted talk radio comebacks: first in 1992 on [[Washington, D.C.]] radio station [[WTEM|WWRC]]; then in 1993 on [[Dallas]] radio station [[KFXR (AM)|KGBS]], where he would scream insults at his callers.<ref name="trashtalk">{{cite web|work=Report|publisher=Ellen Hume|url=http://www.ellenhume.com/articles/talkshow3.htm|title=Talk Show Culture|access-date=2007-06-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701043528/http://www.ellenhume.com/articles/talkshow3.htm|archive-date=2007-07-01}}</ref> He was also hired as the station's VP of Operations. The following year, he returned to CNBC with a short-lived television show, ''Downey'', which was also carried by some broadcast stations; in one episode, Downey claimed to have had a [[psychic]] communication with [[O. J. Simpson|O.J. Simpson]]'s murdered ex-wife, [[Nicole Brown Simpson]].<ref name="washpost"/>

His third – and final – attempt at a talk radio comeback occurred in 1997 on [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]] radio station [[WTAM]] in a late evening time slot.<ref>Morton Downey Jr. back with WTAM talk show, ''[[The Plain Dealer]]'', July 14, 1997, pg. 5, sec. E, Roger Brown</ref> It marked his return to the Cleveland market, where Downey had been a host for crosstown radio station [[WJMO|WERE]] in the early 1980s prior to joining KFBK.<ref>Talk hosts talk about talking on Morton Downey show-il, ''[[The Plain Dealer]]'', December 9, 1988, pg. 33, sec. SU, Bob Dolgan</ref> This stint came shortly after the surgery for lung cancer that removed one of his lungs. At WTAM, Downey abandoned the confrontational schtick of his TV and previous radio shows, and conducted this program in a much more conversational and jovial manner.

On August 30, 1997, Downey quit his WTAM show to focus on pursuing legal action against [[Howard Stern]]. Downey had accused Stern of spreading rumors that he had resumed his smoking habit, to which publicist Les Schecter retorted, "He hasn't picked up a cigarette."<ref>[http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/SJ/lib00189,0EB7210171723745.html "Smoking Report Spurs Threats Of Lawsuits"], ''[[San Jose Mercury News]]'', August 30, 1997, p. 4A, ''Mercury News Wire Services''</ref> His replacement was former [[WERE]] host Rick Gilmour.<ref>'Best Radio Personality: Rick Gilmore (sic) of WTAM', ''Cleveland Scene'', September 17, 2003</ref>

Following his death, news reports and obituaries incorrectly (according to the ''[[Orange County Register]]'')<ref>{{cite news|title=Wiping Out a Myth|newspaper=Orange County Register|year=2002|url=http://www.buriedlede.com/journalism/wipeout.html|access-date=2007-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928210857/http://www.buriedlede.com/journalism/wipeout.html |archive-date=2007-09-28}}</ref> credited him as the composer of "[[Wipe Out (instrumental)|Wipe Out]]."<ref name="CBSDeath">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/morton-downey-jr-dies/|title=Morton Downey Jr. Dies|work=[[CBS News]]|date=March 14, 2001|access-date=2009-08-07}}</ref> As of 2008, Downey's official website (and others) continue to make this claim.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20011214091710/http://mortondowneyjr.com/mortondowney.html Morton Downey Jr.'s Home Page]}}</ref> Prior to Downey's death, ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' in April 1989 had identified the ''Wipe Out'' authorship as a myth.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Myth Information|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h-bxxO5B-xsC&pg=PA66|journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|volume=5|issue=1|date=April 1989|page=66|access-date=April 29, 2011|quote=20 great rock 'n roll events that never really happened... 11. Morton Downey Jr. did not cowrite "Wipeout", the surf instrumental by [[the Surfaris]].}}</ref>

===Controversies===
In 1984, at KFBK radio, Downey used the word "Chinaman" while telling a joke.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/living-under-limbaugh/content?oid=914298|title=Living under Limbaugh |date= February 19, 2009|website=Sacramento News & Review|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref> His use of the word upset portions of the sizable Asian community in [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]]. One Asian-American city councilman called for an apology and pressured the station for Downey's resignation. Downey refused to apologize and was forced to resign.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Rush is On – But it's a Slow Start After Two Months In NY, Limbaugh Is Happy, Hopeful|newspaper=Sacramento Bee|date=August 31, 1988|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SB&p_theme=sb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB0D88C82E30EE9&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM}}</ref>

Downey was sued for allegedly appropriating the words and music to his theme song from two songwriters.<ref>Suit alleges Downey stole song, Chicago Sun-Times, May 5, 1989, Adrienne Drell</ref> He was sued for $40 million after bringing then-stripper [[Rasa von Werder|Kellie Everts]] onto the show and calling her a "slut", a "pig", a "hooker", and a "tramp", saying she had [[venereal diseases]], and banging his pelvis against hers.<ref name="antinuclear">{{cite news|title=Zzzzip It|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=1989-02-25|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73782606.html?dids=73782606%3A73782606&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&date=FEB+28%2C+1989&author=Al+Giordano&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Zzzzip+It%3B+A+Liberal+Has+His+Day+on+%60The+Morton+Downey+Jr.+Show%27&pqatl=google|accessdate=2007-06-24|first=Al|last=Giordano|archive-date=2007-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001003553/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73782606.html?dids=73782606%3A73782606&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&date=FEB+28%2C+1989&author=Al+Giordano&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Zzzzip+It%3B+A+Liberal+Has+His+Day+on+%60The+Morton+Downey+Jr.+Show%27&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 1988, he was [[arraigned]] on criminal charges for allegedly attacking a gay guest on his show, in a never-aired segment.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.365gay.com/InTime/Months/12december.htm |title=365Gay.com |access-date=2007-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929121956/http://www.365gay.com/InTime/Months/12december.htm |archive-date=2007-09-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In another lawsuit, he was accused of slandering a newscaster (a former colleague), and of indecently exposing himself to her and slapping her.<ref>Talk show host Downey named in defamation suit, ''Chicago Sun-Times'', December 11, 1988</ref> Downey punched [[John Melendez|Stuttering John]] during an interview done for ''[[The Howard Stern Show]]'', while also shouting verbal insults at John,<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/CofhbZMmBnw Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20141207064813/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CofhbZMmBnw Wayback Machine]}}{{cbignore}}: {{Citation|last=Matlagning2009|title=2 Morton Downey JR|date=2009-07-10|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CofhbZMmBnw|access-date=2018-02-28}}{{cbignore}}</ref> referring to him as an "uneducated slob". The situation then began to evolve into a brawl between the two until Downey had to be pulled off of John by security; the entire incident was caught on camera. When an ''[[Inside Edition]]'' camera crew approached Downey in 1989 to question him about his involvement in an alleged business scam, Downey grabbed the boom mike and struck the [[Boom operator (media)|soundman]]'s head with it.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=LA Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-04-01-ca-951-story.html|title=Morton Downey Jr. Scuffles With Television Crew Seeking Interview|date=1989-04-01}}</ref>

In his later years, Downey expressed remorse for some of the extreme theatrics of his TV show,<ref name="CBSDeath"/> as well as various incidents outside the studio, including the ''Inside Edition'' confrontation.<ref>{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnbWVndI96Q| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225024629/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnbWVndI96Q&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2020-12-25 | url-status=dead|work=[[YouTube]]|title=Inside Edition segment (6:35)}}</ref> However, he also said his show was of a higher quality than and not as "sleazy" as [[Jerry Springer]]'s [[The Jerry Springer Show|show]].<ref name="washpost"/>

==Personal life==
Downey was married four times and had four children from three of those marriages.<ref name="washpost"/> With wife Helen, he had daughter Melissa; with Joan, he had daughters Tracey and Kelli; and, with fourth wife Lori, he had daughter Seanna Micaela. He and Lori met when she appeared as a dancer in a show he attended in [[Atlantic City]].<ref name="CNNObit"/> According to [[Terry Pluto]]'s book, ''[[Loose Balls]]'', Downey (going by Sean at the time) was one of the owners of the [[New Orleans Buccaneers]] basketball team in the [[American Basketball Association]] in the late 1960s. He was also president and co-founder of the proposed World Baseball Association in 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghamprosports.com/otherteamswba.htm|title=BirminghamProSports.com|website=www.birminghamprosports.com|access-date=28 February 2019|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211731/http://www.birminghamprosports.com/otherteamswba.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Legacy==
In 1998, a Golden Palm Star on the [[Palm Springs, California]], [[Palm Springs Walk of Stars|Walk of Stars]] was dedicated to him.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121013165655/http://www.palmspringswalkofstars.com/web-storage/Stars/Stars%20dedicated%20by%20date.pdf Palm Springs Walk of Stars by date dedicated]}}</ref>

==Death==
In June 1996, while being treated for [[pneumonia]], Downey was diagnosed with [[lung cancer]] and had part of his right lung removed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-12-fi-23291-story.html|title=Cancer Diagnosis Prompts Downey to Switch Sides|first=Myron|last=Levin|date=12 July 1996|access-date=28 February 2019|via=LA Times}}</ref> His views on tobacco use changed substantially, going from a one-time member of the [[National Smokers Alliance]] to a staunch anti-smoking activist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=108365&page=1|title=Talk-Show Pioneer Morton Downey Jr. Dies|date=6 January 2006 |work=ABC News|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref> He continued to speak against smoking until his death from lung cancer and pneumonia on March 12, 2001.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0287845/ ''Seattle Post-Intelligencer''] account of Downey's death</ref>

After being diagnosed with lung cancer, he commented: {{cquote|I had spawned a generation of kids to think it was cool to smoke a cigarette. Kids walked up to me until a matter of weeks ago, they'd have a cigarette in their hand and they'd say, 'Hey, Mort,' or, 'Hey, Mouth, autograph my cigarette.' And I'd do it.<ref name="CNNObit"/>}} He also blamed tobacco companies for lying to consumers about cigarettes.<ref name="CNNObit"/>

==''Évocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie''==
Released in 2012, the documentary film ''[[Évocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie]]'' touches upon Downey's upbringing and formative years in radio and politics before launching into the history of ''The Morton Downey Jr. Show'' and Downey's influence on trash TV.<ref name=kansascity>{{cite web | url=http://www.kansascity.com/2011/01/18/2591878/see-the-morton-downey-jr-trailer.html | title=Zip it!! New film looks at Morton Downey Jr. | work=The Kansas City Star | last=Barnhard | first=Aaron | date=18 January 2011| access-date=7 June 2011}}</ref> The film also looks at Downey's relationship with [[Al Sharpton]] and other important 80s figures.<ref name=smokinggun>{{cite web | url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/morton-downey/thankfully-rev-al-sharpton-no-longer-addresses-his-detractors-%E2%80%9Cpunk-faggot%E2%80%9D | title=Thankfully, Rev. Al Sharpton No Longer Addresses His Detractors As "Punk Faggot" | work=The Smoking Gun | date=16 December 2010| access-date=7 June 2011}}</ref>

==Filmography==
*1978: ''[[Born Again (film)|Born Again]]'' as Classroom Guard
*1990: ''[[Predator 2]]'' as Tony Pope
*1990: ''[[Tales from the Crypt (TV series)|Tales from the Crypt]]'' (Episode: "[[List of Tales from the Crypt episodes#Season 2 (1990)|Television Terror]]") as Horton Rivers
*1991: ''[[Monsters (American TV series)|Monsters]]'' (Episode: "[[List of Monsters episodes#Season 3 (1990–91)|A Face for Radio]]") as Ray Bright
*1991: ''Driving Me Crazy'' as Taj
*1991: ''[[Legal Tender (film)|Legal Tender]]'' as Mal Connery
*1992: ''[[Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation]]'' as Orrin Price
*1992: ''[[Body Chemistry (film series)#Body Chemistry II: The Voice of a Stranger|Body Chemistry II: The Voice of a Stranger]]'' as Big Chuck
*1992: ''The Silencer'' as Michael Keating
*1997: ''[[Meet Wally Sparks]]'' as himself
*1999: ''Palmer's Pick-Up'' as Dick Cash (final film role)

== See also ==
{{Portal bar|Biography}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.mortondowneyjrshow.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0235968}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Downey, Morton Jr.}}
[[Category:1932 births]]
[[Category:2001 deaths]]
[[Category:Activists from California]]
[[Category:American anti-abortion activists]]
[[Category:American Basketball Association executives]]
[[Category:American people of English descent]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Spanish-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American talk radio hosts]]
[[Category:American television talk show hosts]]
[[Category:California Democrats]]
[[Category:CNBC people]]
[[Category:Deaths from lung cancer in California]]
[[Category:Imperial Records artists]]
[[Category:Radio personalities from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:People from Wallingford, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Tobacco-related deaths]]