Phil Donahue, the “king of daytime talk,” passed away at 88 on August 18 at his Manhattan home following a long illness. His family confirmed the news, sharing that he was surrounded by loved ones, including his wife of 44 years, actress Marlo Thomas, and their children and grandchildren. The cause of death has not been revealed.

Marlo Thomas thanked followers on Instagram for their support, mentioning she would be stepping away from social media to care for herself after losing her husband. Celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, paid tribute to Donahue, praising his role in shaping daytime talk shows. Winfrey wrote that without him, there would have been no Oprah Show.

Donahue hosted The Phil Donahue Show for nearly three decades, interviewing iconic figures like Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, and Dolly Parton. He aired over 6,000 episodes, often addressing controversial social issues and giving the audience a chance to participate.

 

Born in Cleveland in 1935, Donahue began his media career in the late 1950s, and his talk show debuted in 1967. He moved the show to Chicago in 1974, rebranding as Donahue. Known for his advocacy of women’s rights and his pioneering role in talk television, Donahue’s legacy remains significant.