Mike Downey, a beloved sports columnist known for his insightful and engaging writing at the Los Angeles Times, passed away from a heart attack at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, on June 12, 2024. He was 72 years old.
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Downey’s career spanned several decades and multiple cities, starting from a suburban Chicago newspaper where he began writing at the age of 14.
He later contributed to the Chicago Daily News and Sun Times, the Detroit Free Press, and eventually found his way to Los Angeles in 1985.
It was there that he made a lasting impact with his columns, seamlessly blending into the Southern California lifestyle.
Known for his calm and mellow sensibility, Downey earned numerous accolades throughout his career. He was voted National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association’s Sportswriter of the Year a remarkable 11 times.
His peers recognized his talent across different regions, with seven awards in California, and two each in Illinois and Detroit.
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Beyond his sports columns, Downey transitioned to news reporting later in his career at the L.A. Times, demonstrating his versatility and journalistic prowess. His colleagues remember him not only for his journalistic skills but also as a mentor and guide in the field.
“Mike was like my spiritual guidepost,” said Times columnist Bill Plaschke. “Every morning reading him was like going to journalism school. He was one of the best and smartest wordsmiths in this city’s history.”
In his personal life, Downey found happiness later in life when he met and married Gail Martin Downey, daughter of the legendary Dean Martin.
Their love story began when Gail expressed her admiration for his writing to a mutual friend. They were approaching their 25th anniversary at the time of Downey’s passing.
The news of Mike Downey’s death has left a profound impact on the journalism community and beyond, with tributes pouring in for his contributions to sports journalism and his warm personality.
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