Phil Donahue, the pioneering daytime talk show host whose empathetic style forever changed television, died peacefully on August 18 at the age of 88, surrounded by his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, and their family.
Donahue began his broadcasting career in the late 1950s, but it was the launch of The Phil Donahue Show in 1970 that cemented his legacy. As the first host to invite unscripted audience participation and tackle subjects that other programs shied away from—from women’s rights to the Vietnam War—he created a new blueprint for talk television. His candid, conversational approach inspired a generation of hosts, including Oprah Winfrey, and helped elevate daytime TV from fluff to forum.
Over the course of his groundbreaking career, Donahue earned twenty Emmy Awards and was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contributions to public discourse. Off camera, he was known for his warmth, quick wit, and deep curiosity, qualities that made guests feel heard and viewers feel connected.
In lieu of flowers, the Donahue family asks that friends and fans consider donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Phil Donahue–University of Notre Dame Scholarship Fund, supporting causes dear to his heart. His trailblazing work lives on in every talk show that dares to blend empathy with honest debate.