Robert Joseph “Bob” Dowling, publisher and editor-in-chief of The Hollywood Reporter for 17 years who helped move entertainment business journalism into the digital age, died Dec. 30 in Santa Monica after a brief illness. He was 83 years old.
Dowling began his career in magazine publishing during his twenties, becoming editor and publisher of a variety of publications, including American Druggist, High-Tech Marketing, Menswear, and Sports Marketing News. He joined The Hollywood Reporter in 1988 as President before being named Publisher and Editor-in-Chief. He moved his family from Westport, Connecticut to Los Angeles to take the position despite having no experience in entertainment or any understanding of how a company operates.
Throwing himself into the business with energy and humility, Dowling held more than 300 meetings with film, television, music, and live entertainment industry leaders in his first year on the job, educating himself on every field from the inside. A series of innovations, special editions, and events led by Dowling—including a major intensification of international coverage—put the reporter into intense competition with diverse throughout his tenure with the publication.
Dowling also pushed to create an online presence for Reporter in 1995 with the creation of THR.com. Dowling also oversaw the publication of a September 12, 2001 special issue in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, when the editors produced an ad-free 16-page newspaper during the height of the chaos and subsequent national fallout.
Born on Long Island, New York on September 16, 1939, Dowling was abandoned by his mother and spent his first three years in a series of foster homes before eventual adoption. Dowling met his wife, Juanita Rich, in 1965, and together they raised three sons.
Dowling is survived by his wife Juanita, three children Rob, Michael, and Matthew, and seven grandchildren, BJ, Larissa, Lena, Devan, Ella, Miles, and Radley.
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