Legendary US talk show host Phil Donahue has passed away at the age of 88, his family confirmed to the US media. The iconic presenter, known as the “king of daytime talk” in the US, died at his home on Sunday after a long illness, surrounded by his loved ones.
Donahue, who created and hosted The Phil Donahue Show, was a trailblazer in the daytime television landscape. Over his illustrious career, he interviewed a wide array of well-known figures including Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, and Dolly Parton.
Born in Cleveland in 1935, Donahue began his media career in the late 1950s before launching his eponymous talk show in 1967. The show, which aired over 6,000 editions between 1967 and 1996, was the first to include elements such as participation from the studio audience.
Donahue’s impact on daytime television was profound, challenging assumptions about what female audiences wanted from talk shows. Oprah Winfrey herself credited Donahue with paving the way for her own successful show, stating, “If there had been no Phil Donahue show, there would be no Oprah Winfrey Show.”
Throughout his career, Donahue won a total of 20 Emmy Awards, with 10 for outstanding host and 10 for the talk show itself. Earlier this year, he was honored with the medal of freedom, the highest civilian honor in the US, by President Joe Biden.
Donahue is survived by his second wife, actress Marlo Thomas, and four children from his first marriage. His legacy as a groundbreaking talk show host and advocate for thoughtful, honest discussions will continue to inspire generations to come.
