Phil Donahue, who flipped the script for daytime television by tackling controversial issues in front of a live audience, has died after a long illness, his family announced.
He was 88.
“Donahue died at his home surrounded by his family, including his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, his sister, his children, grandchildren and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie,” his family said in a statement to People and NBC News.
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The legendary host fronted The Phil Donahue Show for nearly three decades, from 1967 to 1996.
Even though the show ended 28 years ago, Donahue was in the national spotlight as recently as May, when he and 18 other honorees received the Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden. The award is the nation’s highest civilian honour.
Phillip John Donahue was born on December 21, 1935, in Cleveland, Ohio. He honed his broadcasting skills as a radio and TV news anchor in Ohio.
Donahue’s big break came in 1967 when Dayton’s WLWD TV launched The Phil Donahue Show. The host came up with the groundbreaking idea of asking the studio audience for questions.
The show earned a reputation as a forum for hot-button topics at the time, like equal rights for women.
The show moved to Chicago and then New York, while expanding to more stations across the US.
National syndication led to higher-profile guests – including his future wife, actress Marlo Thomas. In 1977, audiences watched the couple seem to fall in love live on the show.
“You are really fascinating,” Donahue told Thomas on stage, reaching for her hand.
“But you are wonderful,” Thomas replied, clutching the host’s hand.
“I said it when we were off the air. And I want to say you are loving and generous and you like women and it’s a pleasure. And whoever is the woman in your life is very lucky.”