Phil Donahue, the renowned talk show host known for shaping daytime television for over two decades, passed away on Sunday night at the age of 88 due to a long illness, according to his family. His death was announced on the “Today” show. Donahue spent his final moments at home, surrounded by his wife Marlo Thomas, children, grandchildren, and beloved dog, Charlie.
Donahue launched his groundbreaking show, “The Phil Donahue Show,” in 1969, which was later retitled “Donahue” in 1974. The program became a staple of daytime TV, airing on more than 200 stations until its conclusion in 1996. Unlike other sensationalist programs that took over the daytime landscape, Donahue’s show maintained a focus on serious sociopolitical issues and often featured intimate audience interactions.
Throughout his career, Donahue received nine Daytime Emmy Awards and a Primetime Emmy for his special “Donahue and Kids.” He was also honored with a Peabody Award in 1981. His style, which gracefully combined assertive interviewing with a warm demeanor, enabled him to engage with a diverse range of guests, from political leaders to cultural figures, and was a significant draw for his predominantly female audience.
Born on December 21, 1935, in Cleveland, Ohio, Donahue began his career in broadcasting in radio before transitioning to television. His “Donahue” show gained notoriety in Dayton, Ohio, for its focus on controversial topics like premarital sex and sexual orientation. His engagement with significant social issues helped propel the show into national syndication and made it a pioneering force in daytime talk television.
In the mid-90s, as new, more sensational talk shows emerged, Donahue’s ratings began to dwindle, ultimately leading to the show’s cancellation in 1996. He made a brief return to television in the early 2000s with an MSNBC show that focused on social and political issues, but it was canceled after just six months.
Outside of his hosting career, Donahue remained active in the media, appearing in various talk shows and documentaries. He co-directed the documentary “Body of War” in 2007, which critiqued the Iraq War. His contributions to television earned him a place in the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Hall of Fame in 1993.
Phil Donahue is survived by his second wife, Marlo Thomas, and five children from his first marriage.