Donahue died “peacefully” at his home Sunday, August 18, following a long illness. He was surrounded by his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, as well as “his sister, his children, grandchildren and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie,” according to a statement shared with Today.
Born in 1935, Donahue began his career in media in the late 1950s. After working as a local reporter in his native Ohio, Donahue launched his eponymous talk show.
It initially aired on a local CBS affiliate before changing to a local NBC affiliate in Dayton, Ohio in 1967. Three years later it was picked up for syndication and aired around the country.
His talk show was known for covering controversial topics from child abuse in the Catholic Church to the former grand wizard of the Knights of the KKK.
The Phil Donahue Show, later changed to Donahue, paved the way for future daytime talk shows.
Donahue’s show was the first to allow audience members to question guests.
“One day, I just went out in the audience, and it’s clear there would be no Donahue show if I hadn’t somehow accidentally brought in the audience,” Donahue told WGN in an interview.
In addition to paving the way for other daytime hosts such as Oprah Winfrey and Sally Jesse Raphael, Donahue won 20 Emmy Awards and most recently was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Biden.
Donahue’s family requested in lieu of flowers donations be made to to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund.
Phil Donahue, we will miss you. Thank you for all your contributions to daytime television. May you rest in peace.