The beloved TV talk show host, Phil Donahue, passed away Sunday night after battling a long illness, his family reported. He was 88 years old. Surrounded by loved ones at his home, his family, including his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, shared this news. They were joined by his sister, children, grandchildren, and his cherished golden retriever, Charlie. Specific details concerning his cause of death have not been disclosed.
On Monday morning, the announcement of Donahue’s passing was made Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones. Sheinelle remarked, “You know, we sometimes overuse the word trailblazer, but he certainly was one.”
The format of modern, issue-based daytime talk shows, which include audience participation, was pioneered by Donahue. His show was among the most influential during its time, earning him nine Daytime Emmy Awards for being an outstanding host.
Born in Cleveland in 1935, Donahue began his career in journalism working in radio during the 1950s. He married his first wife, Margaret Mary Cooney, in 1958, and they had five children before divorcing in 1975.
“The Phil Donahue Show,” began its broadcast in 1967 in Ohio with a live studio audience. Shortly after, the show was syndicated, eventually moving to Chicago, and later settling in New York City by 1985. The program, simply known as “Donahue,” aired its final episode in 1996 following 29 successful years on television.
It was while filming his show in 1977 that Donahue met Thomas, leading to what both later described in interviews as “love at first sight.” The couple wed in 1980. Beyond his own show, Donahue made regular appearances on TODAY between 1979 and 1988.
In a recent 2022 appearance during the 3rd hour of TODAY, Thomas updated the hosts about her husband. She shared, with a light-hearted chuckle, “He loves watching talk shows and yelling at the TV: ‘That’s not the question!’” causing laughter among the show’s hosts including Craig, Sheinelle, Al Roker, and Dylan Dreyer.
In 2002, Donahue made a brief return to television on MSNBC. Ever the familiar face, he took the reins of a show aptly called “Donahue,” although it was canceled after only a few months.
President Joe Biden honored Donahue by awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in May, alongside 18 others. The medal is an esteemed civilian honor given to individuals who have notably contributed to the United States’ prosperity, world peace, public or private societal endeavors among others, as per the White House.
Upon his passing, Donahue’s family has encouraged donations to be made to two meaningful causes: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund, instead of sending flowers.
