Phil Donahue, the pioneering television host known for transforming the talk show format, passed away on Sunday at the age of 88, according to his family. The cause of death has not been disclosed, but it was noted that he had been dealing with a long illness.
Donahue died peacefully at home, surrounded by his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, as well as family and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie. Following the news, Thomas shared on Instagram that she would be taking a break from her social media to focus on self-care, expressing gratitude for the support she and Donahue received throughout their lives.
At the height of his career, Donahue’s show, “The Phil Donahue Show” (later simply “Donahue”), was a trailblazer in daytime television, paving the way for other talk shows, including those hosted by Montel Williams and Jerry Springer. Oprah Winfrey praised Donahue as a pioneer who introduced thought-provoking discussions to American audiences, stating that his influence played a significant role in the creation of her own show.
Donahue’s innovative approach to television began in 1967 when, while in Dayton, Ohio, he engaged with an audience originally there for a canceled variety show. This engagement led him to allow audience members to ask questions during interviews, revolutionizing the format of talk shows.
In addition to his acclaimed talk show, Donahue contributed to NBC’s “TODAY” from 1979 to 1988 and briefly returned to television in 2002 with a prime-time show on MSNBC, which lasted less than a year. He was a staunch advocate for women’s rights, highlighting the inequalities women faced in the workplace in past decades.
Donahue was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1993 and received nine Daytime Emmy Awards for his contributions to the industry. Earlier this year, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden, who referred to him as a “television pioneer.”
In lieu of flowers, his family has requested donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund, honoring both Donahue’s legacy and his wife’s longstanding work with St. Jude. Donahue and Thomas were celebrated as one of Hollywood’s enduring couples, with Thomas recognized for her role in the popular sitcom “That Girl.”