According to Deadline’s recent report, Phil Donahue (Body Of War, Who’s The Boss), the iconic host of The Phil Donahue Show, passed away on Sunday evening at the age of 88 following a prolonged illness. Surrounded by his family, including his wife of 44 years, actor Marlo Thomas (That Girl, Nobody’s Child, Jenny), Donahue died peacefully at his home. His death was announced on The Today Show this morning, where hosts honored his legacy as a trailblazer in television talk shows.
Donahue, known for his innovative approach to daytime television, revolutionized the talk show format. His empathetic style of interviewing and engagement with his audience set him apart from his peers. His show, which began in Dayton, Ohio, in 1967, quickly gained popularity and became a staple in American households. According to Deadline, by 1971, The Phil Donahue Show was airing in over 30 cities, marking the beginning of his national acclaim.
Born on December 21, 1935, in Cleveland, Donahue started his career as a radio journalist in the late 1950s. He worked in his hometown and later in Adrian, Michigan, before transitioning to television in Dayton. As mentioned by Deadline, in 1959, Donahue was hired as a TV reporter at WHIO, where his unique style caught the public’s eye. His empathetic and probing interviews earned him a loyal following, and soon, he had his own radio call-in show, Conversation Piece.
Donahue’s rise to fame truly began in 1967 when he joined WLWD, a competing Dayton station. There, he was allowed to host a daytime morning interview show with a live studio audience. His show was distinctive for its serious topics and in-depth discussions, often featuring a single guest per episode. Unlike other daytime talk shows that focused on light entertainment, Donahue’s show delved into controversial and thought-provoking issues.
According to Deadline, one of Donahue’s earliest and most frequent guests was Madalyn Murray O’Hair (Godless In America, Good Riddance), an atheist activist whose views sparked heated debates among the predominantly Midwestern audience. Despite the controversy, Donahue continued to push boundaries, giving a platform to marginalized voices, including gay rights activists, feminists and anti-war protestors. His commitment to addressing challenging topics earned him nine Daytime Emmy Awards throughout his career.
In 1974, Donahue moved his show from Dayton to Chicago, where it was rebranded as Donahue. The show thrived, attracting even larger audiences and more prominent guests. According to Deadline, in 1985, he relocated the production to New York City, where he maintained his thoughtful and inquisitive style, even as other daytime talk shows shifted towards more sensationalist content.
Donahue’s impact extended beyond television. In 1981, he was awarded a Peabody Award for his contributions to broadcasting, and in 1996, he received a Daytime Emmy Award for lifetime achievement. Also mentioned in Deadline’s report, this summer, just months before his passing, President Joe Biden presented Donahue with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing his enduring influence on American media and culture.
Phil Donahue’s legacy as a pioneering talk show host and fearless advocate for important social issues will be remembered for generations. His contributions to television transformed the medium, making it a platform for serious dialogue and critical debate. He is survived by his wife, Marlo Thomas; his children, Michael, Daniel, Kevin and Mary Rose; and his sister. His family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers.