Trailblazing Talk Show Host Phil Donahue Has Died

Before Oprah, Geraldo, and Ellen, there was Donahue.

The man many refer to as the “original” daytime talk show host, Phil Donahue, has died at the age of 88.

His family said he passed away Sunday after a long illness, at home surrounded by his family.

Phil Donahue was a journalist who started hosting “The Phil Donahue Show” in 1967 in Ohio with a live studio audience. It was later syndicated and moved to Chicago for several years, before ending up in New York City in 1985. The show was renamed “Donahue” and aired until 1996, after 29 years on the air.

Donahue pioneered the modern format of a daytime talk show to revolve around issues, and involving audience participation. Donahue won nine Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding host.

He had five children with his first wife, Margaret Mary Cooney. They divorced in 1975. Donahue met actress Marlo Thomas when she was a guest on his show in 1977, and they married in 1980.

President Biden awarded Donahue the Presidential Medal of Freedom in May, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Donahue’s family has requested that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers.