Legendary talk show host Phil Donahue passed away on Sunday at the age of 88.
According to the Today show, Donahue, a fixture on daytime television and a familiar face to generations of fans, died after a long illness. “He was surrounded by his wife of 44 years, Marlo, his sister, his children, grandchildren and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie,” said a statement released by his family and read on the Today show on Monday.
BREAKING: Television icon Phil Donahue passes away at age 88. pic.twitter.com/hzLlC5p5pb
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 19, 2024
Donahue will be remembered as a pioneer and innovative talk show host who rose to fame in the late 1960s and continued to captivate fans for decades to come. He interacted with his studio audience and was best known for his nationally syndicated hit show, “The Phi Donahue Show,” which was later renamed “The Donahues.”
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 11: Phil Donahue attends the New York Premiere of 'The Wizard Of Lies' at Museum of Modern Art on May 11, 2017. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
The show was a ratings hit and served as a pillar of inspiration for many other shows, including those by Montel Williams and Jerry Springer.
The exact cause of Donahue's death has not yet been revealed.
This story continues to unfold.
