NEW YORK CITY, Aug. 19, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Groundbreaking talk show host Phil Donahue has died.
A statement to “The Today Show” from a family representative says Donahue, 88, died at home Sunday, surrounded by loved ones after a long illness.
“The Today Show” reported that those with him were wife of 44 years Marlo Thomas, his sister, his children from his first marriage, his grandchildren and his golden retriever, Charlie.
Donahue is credited with pioneering the modern talk show format, which is issue based and includes audience participation.
His show, which began as “The Phil Donahue Show” before becoming “Donahue,” launched in Ohio in 1967 and continued through 1996.
His show became highly influential, and Donahue would win nine Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding host. His show aired for 29 years.
In May of this year, Donahue was one of 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. A White House statement released at the time hailed Donahue as “a journalist and television pioneer who pioneered the daytime issue-oriented television talk show.”
On her Instagram page, Oprah Winfrey praised her talk show predecessor.
“There wouldn’t have been an ‘Oprah Show’ without Phil Donahue being the first to prove that daytime talk and women watching should be taken seriously. He was a pioneer. I’m glad I got to thank him for it. Rest in peace Phil.”
Donahue’s family requested that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers, according to its statement, “The Today Show” story says.
