Legendary US talk show host Phil Donahue has passed away at 88, surrounded by family after a long illness. Known as the “king of daytime talk,” Donahue revolutionized television with The Phil Donahue Show, which ran for nearly three decades.
Over 6,000 episodes, he interviewed icons like Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali. Starting in 1967 in Dayton, Ohio, the show gained national acclaim after moving to Chicago in 1974, thanks to its innovative audience participation format.
Donahue’s focus on meaningful discussions, particularly about social issues, reshaped daytime TV. He is survived by his wife, actress Marlo Thomas, and four children. His legacy as a trailblazer in media will endure.
