Veteran TV Talk Show Pioneer Phil Donahue Passes Away at 88

By Anna Kaplan and Elizabeth Maline

Phil Donahue, the iconic TV talk show host, passed away Sunday evening at the age of 88 after battling a prolonged illness, according to his family. Surrounded by his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, as well as his sister, children, grandchildren, and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie, Donahue died at home, as shared in a statement to TODAY. The family did not provide additional information about the cause of his death.

During the 3rd hour of TODAY on Monday morning, Craig Melvin and Sheinelle Jones shared the news of Phil Donahue's passing.

Sheinelle noted, "While the word 'trailblazer' is often thrown around, it absolutely applies to him."

Donahue revolutionized daytime television by creating a talk show format that emphasized audience interaction and in-depth discussions on pressing issues, making his show one of the most impactful of its time.

Alongside hosting his own show, Donahue was a frequent guest on TODAY from 1979 to 1988.

In 2002, Donahue briefly returned to television with a new show on MSNBC, simply titled "Donahue," though it was canceled after just a few months.

Earlier this year, President Joe Biden awarded Donahue the Presidential Medal of Freedom, alongside 18 others. This esteemed award, the nation's highest civilian honor, recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant public or private endeavors, according to the White House.

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