Phil Donahue, the pioneering television host who transformed the landscape of daytime talk shows by incorporating audience participation and tackling controversial issues, passed away on Sunday at the age of 88. Donahue, who was surrounded by his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, and other family members at his home, had been suffering from a long illness, according to a statement released by his family.
Donahue's influence on television cannot be overstated. His groundbreaking program, "The Phil Donahue Show," which later became known simply as "Donahue," ran from 1967 to 1996 and set the stage for many of the talk shows that followed. By inviting audience members to ask questions and participate in the discussions, Donahue revolutionized the format of daytime television, making it more interactive and engaging for viewers.
"Phil Donahue essentially started this company and began an entire industry in daytime syndication," said Bob Turner, former president of Multimedia Entertainment, in a statement to The New York Times in 1996 when Donahue announced his retirement.
Donahue's impact was recognized not just by industry insiders, but also by those who followed in his footsteps. Oprah Winfrey, whose own talk show would go on to become one of the most successful in television history, credited Donahue with paving the way for intelligent and issue-driven discussions on daytime TV. "If there had been no Phil Donahue show, there would be no 'Oprah Winfrey' show," Winfrey said in 2002. "He was the first to acknowledge that women are interested in more than mascara tips and cake recipes - that we're intelligent, we're concerned about the world around us, and we want the best possible lives for ourselves."
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1935, Donahue graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1957 with a degree in business administration. He began his broadcasting career with various entry-level positions before making his mark on television at Dayton's WLWD station in 1967. It was there that he stumbled upon the audience participation format, a concept that would soon become the hallmark of his career. The format was first tested when Donahue allowed the audience to ask questions during an interview with Madalyn Murray O'Hair, a prominent atheist, which proved to be an unexpected success.
Throughout his career, Donahue was known for addressing controversial topics such as feminism, homosexuality, civil rights, and consumer protection, often sparking national conversations. His interviews were as varied as they were impactful, featuring figures from Muhammad Ali to Ronald Reagan, and from John Wayne to Farrah Fawcett. Donahue's fearless approach to addressing issues that were often considered taboo made him a beloved figure among viewers and earned him widespread acclaim.
Donahue's contributions to television were recognized with numerous accolades, including 20 Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award in 1980. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden awarded Donahue the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. The White House praised him as a "journalist and television pioneer who pioneered the daytime issue-oriented television talk show."
Beyond his professional achievements, Donahue was also known for his personal life, particularly his enduring marriage to actress Marlo Thomas. The couple, who married in 1980, were celebrated for their strong relationship, which they discussed in their 2020 book, "What Makes Marriage Last: 40 Celebrated Couples Share with Us the Secrets to a Happy Life."
In the latter years of his life, Donahue continued to be an advocate for social issues, proudly identifying as a feminist and reflecting on the progress made in gender equality since the early days of his career. He remained vocal about the challenges women faced in the workplace and was pleased to see how far society had come since the 1960s.
In lieu of flowers, Donahue's family has asked for donations to be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund. The connection to St. Jude is particularly significant, as Donahue's wife, Marlo Thomas, and her father, Danny Thomas, have long been associated with the hospital.
