Phil Donahue, Groundbreaking Talk Show Host, passes away at 88

Phil Donahue, the influential host of the groundbreaking talk show The Phil Donahue Show, passed away on Sunday evening at the age of 88, following a prolonged illness. He was surrounded by his family, including his wife of over 40 years, actress Marlo Thomas.

The news of his passing was shared this morning on The Today Show, where a statement from Donahue’s family was read. The hosts of Today referred to Donahue as “a daytime staple” who pioneered a talk show format that others would later replicate. They also noted that Donahue had recently received a Medal of Honor from President Joe Biden.

Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas met on his show in the late 1970s, where they developed an immediate connection. They married in 1980 and remained devoted partners throughout Donahue’s life.

The family’s statement reads: “Groundbreaking TV talk show journalist Phil Donahue died Sunday night at home, surrounded by his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, his sister, his children, grandchildren, and his beloved Golden Retriever, Charlie. Donahue passed away peacefully following a long illness.”

Born on December 21, 1935, in Cleveland, Ohio, Donahue began his career as a radio journalist in the late 1950s. However, it was his work in Dayton, Ohio, that launched his television career and introduced the world to his innovative talk show style.

In 1967, Donahue began hosting a daytime interview show with a live studio audience, a format that was revolutionary at the time. The Phil Donahue Show quickly became a staple in American homes, known for its respectful engagement with audience members and in-depth discussions on serious topics, often controversial. Donahue’s show provided a platform for diverse voices and was an early advocate for women's rights and social justice issues.

By the early 1970s, the show had expanded beyond Dayton, syndicating in cities across the Midwest and eventually nationwide. Over its nearly three-decade run, Donahue’s show won nine Daytime Emmy Awards and became a gold standard for serious-minded daytime television.

In 1977, Marlo Thomas appeared on his show, sparking a romance that led to their marriage in 1980. In addition to his television career, Donahue hosted a short-lived talk show on MSNBC in 2002 and co-authored a book with Thomas in 2020 titled What Makes a Marriage Last: 40 Celebrated Couples Share with Us the Secrets to a Happy Life.

Donahue is survived by his wife, Marlo Thomas, his children Michael, Daniel, Kevin, and Mary Rose, as well as his sister. He was predeceased by his son Jim, who passed away in 2014.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund.

Music by Yevhen Onoychenko from Pixabay