Talk show host Phil Donahue pictured in 1977 during "Summerfest" in Milwaukee, WI. Donahue taped his show in Chicago for years before moving it to New York City in the mid-80s.
© Lynn Howell / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
(Undated) Legendary day-time talk show host Phil Donahue has passed away at the age of 88. His family confirmed the radio and TV host’s passing, noting his wife of 44-years Marlo Thomas was by his side. Donahue reportedly battled a longterm illness.
Donahue was born in Cleveland. He created and hosted The Phil Donahue show for 29 seasons, starting in Dayton, Ohio in 1967. It earned credibility for tackling controversial topics including child abuse within the Catholic church, feminism, and aspects of race relations. He eventually moved the show to Chicago where it incorporated questions from the studio audience — something that became a trademark of The Donahue Show. It’s fair to say the show influenced other programs of its type, like The Oprah Winfrey Show — which was also taped in front of a live studio audience in Chicago.
Eventually, The Donahue Show moved to New York City in the mid-80s. The eponymous talk show host retired his well-known program in 1996 but later returned to do work for MSNBC in 2002.
