Phil Donahue, the iconic TV talk show host, passed away on Sunday night at the age of 88 after a lengthy illness, as confirmed by his family. He died at home, surrounded by loved ones, including his wife of 44 years, actress Marlo Thomas, his sister, children, grandchildren, and his golden retriever, Charlie. No additional information regarding the cause of his death has been disclosed.
Recognized as a pioneer in the talk show format, Donahue’s influence was acknowledged by peers, including Oprah Winfrey. His death was announced on the 3rd hour of TODAY by hosts Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones, who highlighted his trailblazing contributions to daytime television.
Born in Cleveland in 1935, Donahue began his career in radio in the 1950s. He was first married to Margaret Mary Cooney in 1958, with whom he had five children before their divorce in 1975. In 1967, he launched “The Phil Donahue Show” in Ohio, a program that emphasized audience participation and tackled societal issues. The show later became syndicated, moving to Chicago and finally settling in New York City in 1985. After 29 years, the final episode aired in 1996.
Donahue’s meeting with Thomas during the filming of his show in 1977 led to a romantic relationship, and they married in 1980. Beyond hosting his show, Donahue made regular appearances on TODAY from 1979 to 1988. Thomas shared updates on her husband over the years, including a light-hearted moment on TODAY in 2022, where she mentioned his lively engagement with talk shows.
In 2002, Donahue returned to television with a brief stint hosting a show on MSNBC, but it was canceled shortly after. In May, President Joe Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing his contributions to American society and values.
In lieu of flowers, Donahue’s family has requested that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund.