Phil Donahue, whose influential TV talk show aired for nearly 30 years, has died at age 88.
Donahue died Sunday night of an undisclosed illness, according to a family statement provided to ABC News by a representative for Donahue’s wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas.
The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund, according to the statement.
After working as a local TV reporter in his native Ohio and launching a talk show on local CBS affiliate WHIO in Dayton, he moved his “The Phil Donahue Show” to the local NBC affiliate WLWD, also in Dayton, in 1967. Three years later, it entered nationwide syndication, now titled simply “Donahue.”
Phil Donahue blows a kiss to Oprah Winfrey as she presents him with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 23rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in New York Wednesday, May 22, 1996.
Ron Frehm/AP, FILE
The show would run for 26 years in syndication, produced at NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza, until its last show in September 1996.
“Donahue” rose to national prominence for its compelling guests and its pioneering, open-forum interview style, where audience members could ask questions of the guest and fans could call in to the show. That format was soon emulated by others who followed, including Oprah Winfrey and Sally Jessy Raphael.
Editor’s Picks
“We knew if we were to have any chance to succeed, you know, we couldn’t be talking about juvenile delinquency or, you know, all these broad, very imprecise issues that are often discussed at Rotary Club meetings and other places. We knew we had to have personalities who moved you to go to that phone and make a phone call,” said Donahue, discussing the show with the Television Academy Foundation.
Among the topics Donahue chose to highlight on his show were breakdancing, which was was new to national audiences after originating in New York City when Donahue featured it in 1983.
Donahue also prompted conversations around fringe figures, like Ku Klux Klansman David Duke, whom he interviewed in 1978.
“You don’t fix racism by throwing a blanket over the people who are racist. Put them on, let’s hear them,” said Donahue, discussing the Duke interview with the Television Academy Foundation.
Donahue earned 20 career Emmy Awards for “Donahue” and, in 1992, the Television Academy inducted him into its Hall of Fame. In 1980, he was awarded a personal Peabody Award, recognized for his “sensitive yet probing interviews, his ability to ask the tough questions without seeming to offend, his knack for getting to the heart of the matter are all important. Above all, Phil Donahue brings to his interviews and discussions what has been characterized as an ‘innate sense of honesty.’”
In May, Donahue was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden. He was lauded at the ceremony as pioneering “the live daytime talk show, holding a mirror up to America,” and for “[interviewing] everyone from our greatest stars to our forgotten neighbors, uniting us around the toughest issues of our time,”
Donahue is survived by his wife, actress Marlo Thomas, as well as “his sister, his children, grandchildren and his beloved golden retriever Charlie,” according to the family statement.
Legendary TV talk show host Phil Donahue, known for revolutionizing the talk show format and paving the way for future hosts, has passed away at the age of 88. Donahue’s impact on the television industry cannot be overstated, as he was a trailblazer in bringing controversial and taboo topics to the forefront of daytime television.
Donahue’s career in television spanned over five decades, during which he hosted the groundbreaking talk show “The Phil Donahue Show.” The show, which first aired in 1967, was one of the first daytime talk shows to feature audience participation and tackle controversial subjects such as race relations, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ issues. Donahue’s willingness to address these topics head-on set him apart from other hosts at the time and helped to establish him as a pioneer in the industry.
Throughout his career, Donahue interviewed a wide range of guests, from celebrities to politicians to everyday people with extraordinary stories. His ability to connect with his guests and audience on a personal level made him a beloved figure in the world of television. Donahue’s show was known for its candid discussions and emotional moments, which resonated with viewers and helped to spark important conversations about social issues.
In addition to his work on television, Donahue was also a passionate advocate for various causes, including civil rights, women’s rights, and peace activism. He used his platform to raise awareness about important issues and inspire others to take action. Donahue’s impact on society extended far beyond the confines of his talk show, as he worked tirelessly to make a positive difference in the world.
Donahue’s legacy as a TV talk show host will continue to inspire future generations of hosts and entertainers. His dedication to addressing important issues and giving a voice to those who are often marginalized will be remembered for years to come. As we mourn the loss of this influential figure, we can take comfort in knowing that his impact on the television industry and society as a whole will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Phil Donahue.
