Talk Show Host Morton Downey Dies

Morton Downey Jr., the combative, chain-smoking talk show host who reigned over so-called “trash TV” in the 1980s, has died, his daughter said Monday night. He was 67.

The cause of death was not immediately given. But Downey had lost a lung to cancer and had become an avid anti-tobacco activist.

“The family is very grief-stricken and very shocked right now,” daughter Tracey Downey told KABC-TV. “He was a wonderful, wonderful man, wonderful father. He will be deeply, deeply, deeply missed.”

A complete obituary will appear in Wednesday’s Times.