For nearly two decades, Phil Donahue was a singular figure in the world of television talk shows. Roaming his audience with a microphone, he transformed viewers into an essential part of his show. With an influence that pervaded particularly among women who watched TV during the day, Donahue set a cultural precedent in the 1980s that spawned a legion of imitators, most notably Oprah Winfrey, who eventually surpassed him.
Reflecting on his career in 2001, Donahue spoke to the Archive of American Television about the long gap before someone finally emulated his format. “For a long time I wondered why it took so long for someone to copy us,” he said. “Then along came Oprah Winfrey. It is not possible to overstate the enormity of her impact on the daytime television game.”
Phil Donahue passed away on Sunday at the age of 88, following a prolonged illness. His wife, actor Marlo Thomas, expressed her grief on Instagram, writing, “I lost my sweetheart last night,” and noting that she would be stepping away from social media to care for herself and those who had cared for Donahue.
Winfrey paid tribute to Donahue, acknowledging his pivotal role in her own career. “There wouldn’t have been an Oprah Show without Phil Donahue being the first to prove that daytime talk and women watching should be taken seriously,” she posted on Instagram, accompanying her message with a photo of the two embracing. “He was a pioneer. I’m glad I got to thank him for it. Rest in peace, Phil.”
By the time “Donahue” concluded in 1996, it had aired nearly 7,000 episodes and won 20 Emmy Awards, leaving behind a daytime television landscape teeming with lookalikes. Winfrey, whose Chicago-based show premiered in 1985, eventually overtook Donahue in the ratings a year later, though he often noted that her success lifted the entire genre.
The rise of imitators, many descending into tabloid topics, marked a shift that led Donahue to feel out of place. “The daytime arena changed, the ground moved under my feet,” he told The Associated Press in 2002, “and I was glad to leave.”
Phil Donahue’s impact began in the late 1960s as he emerged from a sea of game shows and soap operas, introducing more serious and newsworthy content to daytime TV. His approach demonstrated that daytime viewers were interested in substantial topics, far ahead of cable news becoming ubiquitous. He brought attention to issues such as sexual harassment, gay marriage, and AIDS—subjects previously uncharted on daytime television.
Discussing his career upon taping his final episode in 1996, Donahue reflected on the show’s cultural impact. “We’re very, very proud of the way in which our program has reflected our culture since 1967,” he said. Issues that seemed insurmountable in 1967 had become part of everyday conversation by the time his show ended.
“The Phil Donahue Show” debuted on WLWD-TV in Dayton, Ohio, with an audience that had gathered by mistake, thinking they were attending a variety show. Capitalizing on this unforeseen circumstance, Donahue engaged the audience during commercial breaks, quickly realizing their questions often surpassed his own.
“Sometime during that first week, I jumped off my chair and ran into the audience,” he recalled.
The program moved to Chicago in 1974, shortened to “Donahue,” and became syndicated nationwide. Donahue was not afraid of controversy; he aired a birth in his first week, televised an abortion in another episode, and discussed sexual abuse and Catholic priests long before these topics gained widespread media attention. He even fought in court to air an execution, although the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately denied his request.
His guest list was as varied as his topics—feminist activist Gloria Steinem, Chicago Seven member Jerry Rubin, Muhammad Ali, and Ryan White, the young face of AIDS, all made memorable appearances. He tackled both highbrow and more sensational subjects, featuring male strippers and female wrestlers long before they became mainstream.
Phil Donahue was born on December 21, 1935, in Cleveland. Raised in an Irish Catholic family, he received a fully Catholic education, culminating in his 1957 graduation from the University of Notre Dame. He married Margaret Cooney in 1958, fathering five children before they divorced in 1975. He met Marlo Thomas in 1977 on his show, and the chemistry was undeniable. They married in 1980.
After years out of the limelight, Donahue returned to television with MSNBC in 2002, although the show lasted only seven months. Disheartened by the lack of support and the competitive landscape dominated by Fox News, Donahue’s stint was brief. He later remarked, “It took almost three years for Fox to overtake CNN. We had six months.”
Donahue remained semi-retired after leaving MSNBC, making occasional appearances on talk shows and TV documentaries. His distinctive voice notably appeared as a caller on “Frasier” in 1999.
Donahue leaves behind a legacy of transformed daytime television—an era marked by serious discussions and cultural changes that he helped to usher in.
